d the witnesses who saw them
married, the clergyman who performed the ceremony, the church register
where their names are recorded, if you can."

"I believe they will be found in good time," confidently asserted Mr.
Corbin, as he arose the second time to leave; "and, madame, if such
proofs are found do you comprehend what the result will be? Not only
will Mona Forester's child inherit the fortune left by Homer Forester,
but also the bulk of your deceased husband's property."

"Never! for no one in this world can prove that Mona Forester was ever
legally married, and--I defy you to do your worst," hoarsely cried Mrs.
Montague, with lips that were almost livid, while she trembled visibly
with mingled excitement, fear, and anger.

But the gentleman had no desire to discuss the matter further. He simply
bade her a courteous good-evening, and then quietly left the house.

"It is the strangest affair that I ever had anything to do with," he
muttered, as he walked briskly down the street. "The girl's story must be
true, for it tallies exactly with the woman's admissions this evening.
There must be proof somewhere, too. Can it be possible," he went on, with
a start, "that they are in Mrs. Montague's hands? If so, she is liable to
destroy them, and thus plunge my pretty little client into endless
trouble. It is strange that her uncle, Dinsmore, could not have been more
sensible and left some definite information regarding the child. But I am
going to do my best for her, and though I never had quite so mysterious a
case before, I believe the very obscurity which invests it only adds
interest to it."

Mrs. Montague was in a terrible passion after her lawyer had left. She
sprang to her feet and paced the floor from end to end, with angry steps,
her face almost convulsed with malice and hatred.

"Can it be possible that I am going to have that battle to fight over
again, after all these years?" she muttered; "that the child is going to
rise up to avenge the wrongs of her mother? What if she does? Why need I
fear her? I have held my own so far, and I will make a tough fight to do
so in the future. Possession is said to be nine points in law and I shall
hold on to my money like grim death. I never could--I never will give up
these luxuries," she cried, sweeping a covetous glance around the
exquisitely furnished room. "I plotted for them--I sold my soul for them
and him, now they are mine--mine, and no one shall take them from me!