roperty, and, to this end, have forged a
paper, which you think will help you."

"You are quite mistaken, Mr. Grey. I have Jacob Morton's written
confession of his agency in carrying me away from Cincinnati. I knew
nothing of it till he spoke to me on this subject, and placed the paper
in my hands."

"Have you the paper with you?"

Gilbert didn't answer this question, since he could not have said truly
that he had Jacob's confession with him. It was merely his own copy.
But he drew the paper from his breast-pocket, and handed it to his
uncle.

Mr. Grey took the paper, and ran his eye rapidly over it. His
countenance changed, for he saw that it would have great weight in a
court of justice, completely substantiating Gilbert's claims to the
estate which he wrongfully held.

"Well," he said, looking up, after he had finished reading the paper,
"I have read this document, and I have no hesitation in pronouncing it
a vile forgery. It shall meet the fate it merits."

So saying, he hastily tore it across the middle, and proceeded to tear
it into still smaller pieces.

"Now, young man," he said, sarcastically, "as I have no further
business with you, I will bid you a very good-day," and he bowed,
mockingly.

"I think you are mistaken about our business being settled," said
Gilbert, quietly.

"Your forged document will help you little," said Mr. Grey,
triumphantly. "I have torn it into a hundred pieces."

[Illustration: "Your forged document will help you little," said Mr.
Grey, triumphantly. "I have torn it into a hundred pieces."--Page 138.]

"It is of no consequence," said our hero, calmly. "_It is only a copy
of the original paper._"

CHAPTER XX.

BAFFLED, BUT NOT DISCOURAGED.

The triumphant look on the face of James Grey faded, and was replaced
by one of baffled rage and disappointment.

"It's a lie!" he exclaimed, speaking rather what he wished than what he
believed.

"You are mistaken," said Gilbert, in the same calm tone. "The paper you
have just torn up was in my own handwriting."

"I have no doubt of that. I thought, all the time, that it was an
imposture which you had got up."

"I made a copy of it from the original this morning," said our hero.

"Why did you not bring the original, if there is one?"

"Because I was afraid you might be tempted to destroy it. It seems I
was right," added Gilbert, with a glance at the torn pieces of paper
which littered the carpet at his feet.

Jam