And especially never to know anything about me. She was to believe
herself an orphan. And my pal did just as I ordered. He wrote me how
she was getting on till about four years ago, then I had news that he
was dead and that the trust fund had been transferred to a firm of
lawyers, though I wasn't given the name of the lawyers. That doesn't
make any difference since she's getting the money just the same."
"What was your pal's name, Joe?"
"Jimmie Carlisle."
The Duchess had been certain what this name would be, but nevertheless
she could not repress a start.
"What's the matter?" Joe asked sharply. "Did you know him?"
"Not in those days," said the Duchess, recovering her even tone.
"Though I got to know him later. By the way," she added casually, "did
Jimmie Carlisle have any children of his own?"
"Not before I went away. He wasn't even married."
There was now no slightest doubt left in the Duchess's mind. Maggie
was really Joe Ellison's daughter.
Joe Ellison went on, the glow of his sunken eyes becoming yet more
exalted. He was almost voicing his thoughts to himself alone, for his
friendship with the Duchess was so old that her presence was no
inhibition. His low words were almost identical in substance with what
Larry had told--a summary of what had come to be his one great hope
and dream, the nearest thing he had to a religion.
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