ured. He was ill for two months, and then slowly
recovered his health. But his reason was entirely gone. I took him to
New Orleans and placed him in an asylum, and there he has been ever
since."

"Very good, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Barnes. "But what proof have you that
you are not the father, and the lunatic the innocent cousin, as so many
believe?"

"Why, in the first place, though we had the same name, we are totally
unlike in feature. I think Mr. Neuilly will admit that he would not have
recognized me, and he knew the guilty man. However, we will take that up
later. I have no fear of not proving my identity. Too many people in New
Orleans know me. To continue my tale, I determined to get possession of
the child. I knew that the Montalbon would resist, and that I would find
it difficult to prove my story. More than all, I knew that I could not
obtain legal possession of her without disclosing the secret of her
birth, which I wished to avoid for her own sake, as well as for her
mother's. I therefore stole her openly in the streets. Detectives were
sent out to search for me, but perhaps Mr. Barnes will testify that I am
not much afraid of detectives. Perhaps, too, he will understand better
now why I know something about detective methods. I led them a dance
for two years, until in disgust they abandoned the search. Then I went
abroad, for I must tell you that as long as I was hounded I remained
close at hand. I enjoyed the excitement. It made me forget, or at least
it gave me occupation. I remained in Europe until my recent return to
New York. It was not very long after that, when I received the letter
from the Montalbon, and the photograph which I showed to you. I
recognized the picture, though of course I should not have known the
signature, which was Rose Mitchel. I did not fear the woman, but I
expected some enjoyment at her discomfiture when I should tell her to do
her worst. I was not prepared for what occurred. When she met me she
began by saying:

"'I have not the least idea of attempting to blackmail you, though
perhaps I could do that. But I have that to sell which I think you would
be glad to buy.' I asked what it was, and she told me:

"'A certificate of marriage between your cousin and the child's mother.
A certificate of marriage between him and myself, antedating that, and
another certificate of marriage between myself and another man who was
alive at the time that I inveigled your cousin into marrying