^S 635 Z9 1335 opy 1 I 1 I 3 gWTtltT^lfr^lrfTtlffTilrT^tT^lTTW^lT^I^??'^^ ^1 Q-:wRSi^^3 CHECKMATE By SIDNEY McELROY SYNOPSIS Alice Hunter, the beautiful young daughter of John Hunter, has just left finishing school and has taken a course in teaching. Alice is now ready to take a position as governess in order to earn her living, and old John Hunter, who has worked for a number of years as confidential clerk for Mrs. Edith Emerson, in the care of her late husband's large estate, determines to use his influence with Mrs. Emerson to secure Alice the position of gov- erness for Mrs. Emerson's 7-year-old son, Bobby. Hunter, at Mrs. Emerson's next call at her of- fice, broaches the subject of his daughter's desire for the position and Mrs. Emerson being in need of a governess, she agrees to see Alice and talk the matter over. Accordingly, Alice goes to Mrs. Emerson's Riverside Drive residence, and Mrs. Emerson interviews her. Impressed by Alice's air of refinement and charm of manner, Mrs, Emerson decides to give the girl a trial, especially as Bobby, who enters the room toward the close of the in- terview, seems to be much taken with Alice. The boy, while not an invalid, is not over strong and requires care, especially as to his diet. COPYRIGHT 1920 BY B. B. FEATURES STANDARD PRINTING CO.. PRINTERS, LOS ANGELES 2 Checkmate There is one friend of the Hunters who is sorry to see Ahce leave and take her place in the outside world, and that is Lawrence Martin, a struggling young architect, who is very much in love with Alice, but the latter refuses to think of him as any- thing but a good friend. In due time Alice takes up her duties in Mrs. Emerson's household and she has the satisfaction of making good in her posi- tion from the start, and it is not long before little Bobby fairly adores her. There is another member of Mrs. Emerson's family living in the house, to whom Alice takes an almost instant aversion. This is Frank Temple, Mrs. Emerson's younger brother, who is a ne'er do well living off his sister and bor- rowing money from her whenever possible, in order to eke out that living which his shady stock mar- ket transactions fail to supply. From the start Temple is much fascinated by the beautiful young governess (Alice) and loses no chance to force his unwelcome and questionable attentions on her, in a patronizing and clandestine sort of way. Mrs. Emerson, who is a fascinating, capable wom- an of the world, transacts all the business of her late husband's large estate with the sole aid of John Hunter, who acts as her clerk and attends to the mere routine work of the office. Although largely endowed with this world's goods, and with a greater than ordinary share of fascination and will powfer, nevertheless, Mrs. Emerson's life is empty on one account. She is deeply and passionately in love with John Bradford, a successful young attorney, several years her junior. Whilst Bradford likes Mrs. Emerson well enough and is flattered by her ©Ci.A5617 21 Checkmate 3 attentions, nevertheless, she has never been able to create in him the feeling she desires, and as she is a v^oman used to having her own way she de- termines to leave nothing undone to awaken in him a mutual sentiment. It is during an afternoon tea and musicale given by Mrs. Emerson at her residence that Alice and Bradford first meet. The pianist, who is to play at the musicale, disappoints Mrs. Emerson at the last moment and knowing Alice to be an accom- plished musician, Mrs. Emerson, in her extremity, calls on her to render some selections and to accom- pany several of the guests in their songs. Bradford, who is present, and who is rather bored at the pros- pect of the entertainment, notices Alice at the piano and is instantly struck by the girl's great charm and beauty. On inquiring of Mrs. Emerson who the girl is, Bradford is coldly informed that she is only the new governess, and being tactful, Bradford lets the matter drop. He is by no means satisfied, however, and he determines to meet Alice. Wan- dering into the refreshment room, he comes across Mrs. Galway, a good-natured, middle-aged, nouveau riche widow, who is a mutual acquaintance of both Mrs. Emerson and himself. Mrs. Galway, who is "fair, fat and forty,"' overdressed and over-jeweled, is extra fond of the good things of this life and can always be relied on to be wherever the refreshments are. At present she is engaged not only in the pastime of stuffing herself with dainties, but on account of her weakness having peculiar ideas on the upbringing of children, she is also stuffing little Bobby with all the cakes and candies his heart de- 4 Checkmate sires. Bobby, on account of Alice's being at the piano and Mrs. Emerson's being busy with her guests, is for once in his life running wild, and with Mrs. Galway's help he is enjoying himself hugely. Brad- ford, who is a great favorite with Bobby and for- ever romping and playing with him (the boy al- ways calls him "Uncle Jack," altho there is no relationship), breaks in on their little party with the request that Mrs. Galway introduce him to the young lady at the piano. Mrs. Galway rather reluctantly leaves the re- freshments and going to the drawing-room intro- duces Bradford to Alice. Struck by the girl's beauty at first sight, Bradford is even more captivated after meeting her and he hovers near Alice the remainder of the afternoon, turning her music and bringing her refreshments. In all the conscious pride of her social position, Mrs. Emerson refuses at first to see a rival in Alice, however, she is not overjoyed at what she observes and once during the afternoon she deliberately crosses the room and takes Brad- ford off with her. As soon as possible, however, without being deliberately rude to his hostess, Brad- ford gravitates back to Alice. Frank Temple arrives at the musicale rather late, but he considers it necessary for him to come, as he is endeavoring to win Mrs. Galway's debutante daughter, Dorothy. Things have lately been going father worse than usual for Temple in the financial line and he realizes that it is absolutely essential for him to make a good marriage. He is very at- tentive to Dorothy Galway during the remainder of Checkmate^ 5 the afternoon and is much encouraged, as the girl does not seem to take unkindly to him. That evening Mrs. Emerson is extremely cold in her attitude toward Alice and the girl wonders if she has been wise in allowing Bradford to be so attentive to her. However, Alice has not long to worry about Mrs. Emerson's attitude, as Bobby's unwonted repast begins to take effect on the child's delicate constitution and he comes down during the night with a high fever. The next morning the doctor is called and the child is confined to his bed. Mrs. Emerson being very busy with ner social duties, she largely leaves the care of the sick child to Alice. That same afternoon Bobby, tossing on his bed, wants Alice to phone for his "Uncle Jack" (Bradford) to come and amuse him. When, in spite of his insistence, Alice refuses to do so, Bobby waits until Alice leaves the room and then stand- ing on a chair to reach the wall phone, he calls Bradford up. Telling Bradford he is sick, Bobby invites him to come and see him immediately. Brad- ford, glad of the opportunity and excuse to see Alice, as well as the boy, immediately leaves his office and goes to the Emerson home. During^ the several days that the sickness lasts Bradford calls every afternoon on Alice and Bobby, and as Mrs. Emerson is invariably out at social functions, Bradford cannot but compare Mrs. Emer- son's lack of consideration for the child with Alice's care of him, and the comparison does not redound much to Mrs. Emerson's credit. Meanwhile, Brad- ford is becoming more and more fascinated by Alice, 6 Checkmate while on her part Alice is beginning to look forward eagerly to seeing Bradford each afternoon. Affairs between Alice and Bradford have reached this stage when Bobby recovers from his sickness. One afternoon shortly after, Bradford, in the hope of catching sight of Alice, is calling on Mrs. Emer- son. While Mrs. Emerson and Bradford are in the drawing-room, Temple enters the house somewhat under the influence of liquor. He does not stop, but goes directly upstairs and meeting Alice in the upper hallway, his badly concealed instincts flare out and he attempts to kiss her. Unable to free her- self from his arms, Alice calls out and Bradford, hearing her, rushes upstairs and, tearing Temple away from her, he flings him into a corner. Brad- ford is just taking the girl in his arms when Mrs. Emerson arrives at the top of the stairs and, em- barrassed at being found by Mrs. Emerson in such a position, Alice pulls away from Bradford and, covering her face with her hands, she runs to her own room. Mrs. Emerson, in order to mollify Bradford, pretends indignation at her brother, but seeing in the affair a good chance of ridding herself of Alice, she, that night, discharges her, altho she well knows Alice is in no way at fault. However, she feels she must separate Bradford and Alice im- mediately, and at any cost. Alice, the next day, returns to the small suburban cottage where her father lives, and she is not a little disheartened by the loss of her position and the fact that Bradford may have passed out of her life forever. Bradford, who is called away on a busi- Checkmate 7 ness trip, does not get to the Emerson home again for several days and when he does arrive and in- quires for Alice, Mrs. Emerson, believing the end justifies the means, falsely informs him that Alice only took the position as governess temporarily and that she has left to be married. Bradford is stunned at the news, as he now realizes he is very much in love with Alice. Recalling how Alice had run away from him when he tried to take her in his arms the afternoon Temple attacked her in the hallway, and not suspecting Mrs. Emerson of double dealing, Bradford is inclined to believe what Mrs. Emerson tells him. For a number of days things run on in this un- satisfactory condition, and Alice is very blue and lonely, while Bradford is eating his heart out for the love of the girl. Finally little Bobby's birthday rolls around and Alice, in her love for the child, remembering the_ date, she buys him a present and gives it to her father to leave for the boy at the Emerson residence. Hunter is just coming down the steps of the residence after having left his pack- age, when he meets Bradford, who is entering the house on a similar errand. Bradford, who recog- nizes Hunter, impelled by a sudden impulse, stops him and requests him to present his congratulations to Alice on her coming marriage. Very much sur- prised. Hunter tells him that he has no knowledge of any marriage and that his daughter is not even engaged. Overjoyed at the news, Bradford hastily leaves his present for Bobby and then jumping into his machine he starts at full speed for the Hunter cottage. 8 Checkmate . Arriving at the cottage, Bradford finds Alice, and she is much surprised and overjoyed at seeing him. During the course of his visit Bradford proposes marriage to AHce and the girl, radiantly happy and deeply in love, accepts him. Meanwhile Temple, plausible and good-mannered, looking for a new victim in his stock jobbing schemes, has taken advantage of his position as Mrs. Emerson's brother to sell John Hunter a large block of worthless mining stock. Hunter, not sus- pecting Temple of crookedness and inexperienced in stock transactions, allows Temple to sell him the stock ''on margin" and he invests all his life's sav- ings (several thousand dollars) in the worthless se- curities, which steadily decline in value from the day he buys them. Rumors of Alice's engagement to Bradford have reached the ears of Mrs. Emerson through Mrs. Galway, who is very fond of Alice and has always been very nice to her. Furious with anger and jealousy as a result, Mrs. Emerson is not a pleasant person to be in the same house with. It is at this stage of the game that Temple, having dissipated his share of the commission on the Hunter stock deal, goes to his sister to, borrow more money from her. In continued bad humor over Bradford's en- gagement, Mrs. Emerson reminds her brother icily of the amounts he already owes her and sharply refuses to loan him another cent. Hunter's worthless mining stock having now fallen almost to the point of his "margin," Temple Checkmate 9 goes to him to raise more money, ostensibly to pro- tect Hunter's interest in the stock, but in reality to get the money for his own fraudulent use. It is a terrible shock to Hunter to find that his "margrin" has been wiped out and that he stands to lose the savings of a lifetime. He has no more cash to put up to save his stock, but desperately battling for time he asks Temple to give him a few hours more, and Temple agrees to return later that same after- noon. Temple, anxious to secure the money, as- sures Hunter that the stock is perfectly good and that by putting up a thousand dollars more for a few days he can amply protect himself. Having no way of borrowing the money, except thru Mrs. Emerson, and knowing that on Alice's account Mrs. Emerson would refuse him. Hunter, in his desperation and panic, forges Mrs. Emerson's name to a check for a thousand dollars, being mis- led by Temple's assertion that the stock is good, and hoping to conceal the forgery on his books, and to repay Mrs. Emerson before the loss is no- ticed. On Temple's return to the office Hunter hands him the check, which Temple accepts at first without any suspicion. He sees, however, that the check is dated that day and knowing his sister to be confined to her room in a highly nervous state over Bradford's engagement, he wonders how Hun- ter got the check. Saying nothing, however, but determined to investigate, he takes the check and leaves. Seeing a possible chance for his own financial ad- vancement. Temple goes immediately to his sister 10 Checkmate and, braving her bad humor, he inquires if she has seen Hunter or transacted any business with him that day? Somewhat surprised, Mrs. Emerson re- plies that she has seen nobody and that she has not been well enough to transact any business. Tem- ple's next question surprises her still more, for he inquires what she will give him to get such a hold on Alice as to effectually put an end to her engage- ment with Bradford? Seeing her brother is in earnest and knowing that she herself has played her last card in the dis- missal of Alice from her employ, Mrs. Emerson inquires with more interest what amount her broth- er desires. They finally agree on two thousand dol- lars, and Temple turns over to her the forged check, explaining to her as much as he cares to of his stock deal with Hunter. Appreciating that she now holds a powerful weapon over the Hunters, Mrs. Emerson goes at once to her ofhce and confronts Hunter with the forgery. The old man breaks down completely, and under her threats he signs a full confession of his deed. Armed with this confession, Mrs. Emer- son visits Alice and she minces no words with the girl. Her proposition briefly is : "Give up Bradford or your father goes to jail," and she stipulates that Bradford shall be turned down in such a manner that he will know there is absolutely no further hope for him. Alice sees the forged check, and read- ing her father's confession, the girl faces the first great tragedy of her life. Realizing that Mrs. Emer- son will carry out her threat, Alice, in order to save Checkmate 11 her beloved father, agrees to her terms, which in- clude the ABSOLUTE CONCEALMENT OF THE FORGERY FROM BRADFORD. That same evening, when Bradford calls, Alice returns his ring and breaks the engagement. Thun- derstruck, Bradford can get no satisfaction from the girl, and when he pins her down, feeling that she must protect her father at all cost, Alice tells Bradford that she no longer cares for him. The scene is a very painful one for them both, as they bid each other what they believe is their final fare- well. Alice's position is very distressing, as she strives to keep up her spirits before her father, and she does her best to cheer and comfort the old man, who is terribly broken up over his mis-step. Unable to withstand the temptation of catching a glimpse of AHce, one moonlight night about a week later, Bradford motors out toward the Hun- ter cottage and, leaving his car down the road, he approaches the house on foot. As Bradford stands concealed in the shrubbery, watching the house, Alice and Lawrence Martin come out of the house and stand on the porch talking. Martin, deeply in love with AHce and encouraged by Bradford's dis- missal, stands on the steps and taking Alice's hand in his he proposes to her. Bradford sees it and not knowing that Alice is refusing Martin as gently as possible, for 'in the moonlight it looks as if she might be accepting his attentions, it effectually dashes any last lingering hope of Bradford's. There- after Bradford gradually gravitates back to Mrs. Emerson and her set, as he feels that possibly Mrs. 12 Checkmate Emerson may have been correct after all, about Alice having been engaged to another man, cer- tainly he has cause enough to suspect that such may be the case. Meanwhile, Alice, in her misery, as well as to earn her living, feels the need of occupying her mind with some regular duties, and she is on the lookout for another position as governess. Going over the papers in search of ads, she finds an ad inserted by Mrs, Galway, who has just dismissed an unsatisfactory governess. Appreciating that Mrs. Galway has always been kind to her, Alice ap- plies for the position and Mrs. Galway immediately engages her to care for her younger daughter, Ellen, a 10-year-old child, who is a second edition of Mrs. Galway, fat and roly from good eating. Alice finds the Galway household very different from Mrs. Emerson's. Mrs. Galway, a trifle vulgar, but without any false pride, is very good-natured and kind-hearted, and everybody in the household does pretty much as they please, including 10- year-old Ellen. However, as Ellen quickly grows to adore Alice, the latter has no trouble with her. Temple, who soon spends the two thousand dol- lars his sister paid him, and whose suit for the hand of Dorothy Galway is not progressing any too satisfactorily, is beginning to find himself short of funds again. His sister is none too pleased with the situation between herself and Bradford, as al- tho the latter has returned to her shrine, he is not doing any worshiping so far as she can see, and, in fact, she finds herself unable to arouse his in- Checkmate 13 terest in any way. Therefore, when Temple comes to her to borrow more money she refuses him flatly, as she cannot see that the two thousand dollars she has already given him has brought her any ap- preciably nearer to winning Bradford. That same afternoon, at Mrs. Emerson's solici- tation, Bradford calls at her house to go for an ,auto ride with her. When he arrives Mrs. Emer- son is not yet dressed ready to go, and Bobby, spy- ing Bradford, immediately makes for the drawing- room for a romp. At once Bobby wants to play some game, and to amuse the child Bradford closes his eyes while Bobby hides some article, and then when it is safely hidden Bradford uncovers his eyes and searches for it. Having no other article handy to hide, they use a pasteboard box full of cigarettes which Bradford takes from his pocket. The game progressing and Bradford finding the cigarettes several times, young Bobby at length determines to hide them where they won't be so easily discovered. Bidding Bradford cover his eyes once more, Bobby runs to the other end of the room and opening an antique chest used as a window seat, he shoves the cigarettes down among some old sofa pillows and other discarded trash inside the box, and then closes the box down again. Then calling to Bradford to uncover his eyes Bobby invites him to search for the cigarettes. While Bradford is making an un- successful search, Mrs. Emerson enters the room ready for her drive. Bradford gives up the search and requests from Bobby the return of the cigar- ettes, but Bobby replies that if his ''Uncle" wants the cigarettes he must first find them, and not wish- 14 Checkmate ing to keep Mrs. Emerson waiting Bradford leaves without them. Later that same afternoon we find Temple at the Galway home, not far from the Emerson residence, whither he has gond^ determined to propose to Dorothy Galway, as his financial condition is now such that he feels he must put his fortune to the test at once. Whilst he and Dorothy are in the library talking, Mrs. Galway, who intends going out that evening to dinner and the opera, calls down to Dorothy to open the concealed wall safe in which her (Mrs. Galway's) jewels are kept, and to bring her up one of her jewel cases, as she desires to wear part of her jewels that evening. Dorothy, rolling back part of a dummy bookcase, exposes the concealed safe to view. She then opens the safe and taking out the case required, SHE RE- LOCKS THE SAFE DOOR on the remaining jewels. Stopping on her way out of the room, she exhibits some of the rare stones to Temple, and then excusing herself she runs upstairs with the case. Mrs. Galway selects the jewels she wishes to wear and sends Dorothy down to put the rest back in the safe. As Dorothy REOPENS THE SAFE to put back the rejected jewels. Temple, his cupidity aroused by the magnificence of the gems and his own lack of funds stands behind the girl, and as she turns the dial of the safe he carefully and surreptitiously NOTES DOWN THE COM- BINATION ON HIS CUFF. Unknown to Temple, however, his actions are watched by a strange pair of eyes. On her way Checkmate 15 through the hallway, bringing Ellen in from her afternoon walk, ALICE SEES THRU THE PARTED PORTIERES Temple standing behind Dorothy and COPYING DOWN THE COMBI- NATION OF THE SAFE. Naturally suspicious of him, and not liking his action, but not knowing what to do about it, she passes on up the stairs en- tirely unobserved by Temple. After the jewels are locked away Temple de- termines to make his bid for Dorothy Galway and, accordingly, he asks her to be his wife. She refuses him and he leaves the Galway home much dis- gruntled and upset. He is down to nearly his last dollar and when Dorothy refuses him all his hopes go a-glimmering, and in despair he determines to take advantage of his knowledge of the combina- tion to rob Mrs. Galway's safe. Going to his sister's home, he makes his preparations for the robbery and waits until very late at night before starting for the Galway house, in order to give Mrs. Galway plenty of time to retire after returning late from the opera. Meanwhile Alice is disturbed by the remembrance of Temple copying the combination and she is half regretful that she has not notified Mrs. Galway of the occurrence. Upset and nervous over the whole affair, which she cannot understand, she spends a wakeful night. It is about 3 a. m. that she is startled by a noise downstairs. It is Temple, who has entered thru one of the library windows. Open- ing the safe, he takes the jewels from their cases and places them in a mound on the table. Spread- 16 Checkmiate ^ ing out his handkerchief, he attempts to roll the jewels in it for ease of carrying. In the darkness and clumsy from nervousness, he ^catches a pearl necklace on the corner of the table and the strand that holds the pearls breaks, and the stones roll all over the table. More upset than ever, Temple makes a quick dash to catch the pearls before they roll to the floor and in his haste he knocks a large vase off the table and it falls to the floor with a crash. It is this noise that Alice hears, and hastily donning her kimono she starts down the stairs to investigate. As she creeps down the lower steps toward the hall she sees the gleam of a flashlight in the library and slipping across the hall she peers thru the parted portieres. Temple, his nerves badly shaken by the noise he has made, is hastily prepar- ing to leave and Alice sees that if she is to save the jewels she must act at once. The burglar is masked and in the darkness it is difficult to recog- nize anyone, but Alice firmly believes it is Temple. Running into the room, Alice throws her arms around him, at the same time calling out loudly to arouse the other members of the household. Com- pletely taken by surprise, it at first seems that Alice can hold him, but with the strength of fear Temple breaks away from the girl, taking the jewels done up in the handkerchief with him, as he slips out the window. In her last struggle to hold him Alice grips his arm, and as he pulls away his shirt sleeve tears and he leaves half his cuff in the girl's hand. Pulling herself together after the struggle, Alice switches on the light, and examines the cuff which she finds bears Temple's FIGURES OF THE COMBINATION OF THE SAFE. Quickly Checkmate 17 thrusting the cuff into her bosom, Alice turns to meet the rest of the family, who, awakened by her cries for help, are now hastily swarming down the stairs. Pandemonium reigns in the Galway household for a few minutes after the robbery. Mrs. Galway pro- ceeds to tax the strength of the couch by fainting on it, but as no one pays any attention to her she promptly recovers. Calling to the half-awakened butler to bring her something to eat, Mrs. Galway proceeds to recoup her shattered nerves with all the food she can get her hands on, ludicrously sob- bing over her great loss between each mouthful. When the police come, Alice tells them her story of how she was awakened by a noise and came down- stairs to investigate— BUT SHE PURPOSELY REFRAINS FROM MENTIONING EITHER TEMPLE'S NAME OR HER SUSPICIONS OF HIM. Meanwhile, after his narrow escape. Temple slinks back to the Emerson residence and slips into the house with his latch key. His nerves are much shaken by his experience, and fearful of discovery he does not want to keep the jewels in his posses- sion, so immediately on entering the house he con- ceals them. Early the next morning Alice determines to take matters in her own hands and she calls Bradford on the 'phone at his apartment, soon after he is out of bed. She tells him where she is and that she must see him immediately, and he goes to her at 18 Checkmate once. When Bradford arrives Alice TELLS HIM THE WHOLE STORY OF HER FATHER HAVING BECOME A FORGER, LED ON BY TEMPLE'S CROOKEDNESS, AND OF MRS. EMERSON MAKING USE OF HIS FORGERY TO BREAK THE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THEM. SHE THEN TELLS BRADFORD THE STORY OF THE ROBBERY OF THE GAL- WAY JEWELS AND HOW SHE SAW TEM- PLE COPY THE COMBINATION OF THE SAFE BEHIND DOROTHY GALWAY'S BACK. SHE SHOWS HIM THE TORN CUFF, and she tells him she strongly believes Temple committed the robbery, although she could not swear to him in the darkness. Believing they have a strong case against Tem- ple, Bradford and Alice jump into a machine and speed to the Emerson residence. They are shown into the library, and when Mrs. Emerson appears she realizes almost at once there is something wrong. Bradford coldly informs her what brings them to her home and he demands to see Temple at once. When Temple comes down and hears what they have to say he determines to brazen the af- fair through. Bradford openly accuses him of the robbery and recites the case against him. Temple, although much frightened, pretends great indigna- tion and angrily denies any knowledge of the af- fair. As a final coup Bradford produces Temple's torn cuff. This last is a startling blow to Temple, but he weathers the storm, and Mrs. Emerson vehemently protests at what she calls their plot against her brother. Checkmate 19 Meanwhile Bobby, hearing the voices, also comes downstairs, and from the hallway seeing his "Uncle Jack" (Bradford) in the library, Bobby bethinks him of the box of cigarettes belonging to Bradford, which he had hidden the afternoon before and he determines to get them for his uncle. Going into the drawing room, Bobby opens the old chest and starts rummaging roughly around among the dis- carded sofa pillows, etc., for the small box of cigar- ettes. Affairs in the library have reached the pass where it looks as if Temple and Mrs. Emerson will get away with the game. Alice is not able to swear Temple is the culprit, and Mrs. Emerson, in order to save her own name from notoriety as well as Temple's, is ready to testify that to her positive knowledge her brother was in her own home all the previous night. It is at this stage of the pro- ceedings that Bobby unexpectedly enters the room. As he enters the room he calls out to Bradford, and suddenly all eyes center on Bobby — for Bobby IS LITERALLY ABLAZE WITH JEWELS. Around his neck hangs Mrs. Galway's superb dia- mond necklace, and numerous other resplendent jewels adorn his small figure. The effect on the group in the library is startling. Temple crumples up as if shot, while Mrs. Emerson's eyes widen and her face blanches with terror. The effect on Alice and Bradford is scarcely less astounding. Dumb with surprise, they gaze on the boy, who quite un- consciously and in a flash, has solved as if by magic 20 Checkmate the problem which thirty seconds ago seemed to them almost impossible of solution. The unexpected sight of the jewels is too much for Temple, and under Bradford's pressure he breaks down and confesses his crime. The remainder of the stolen gems are found in the old chest, still par- tially wrapped in Temple's handkerchief, where he had secreted them the night before, believing no one would dream of looking in an old box of trash for the Galway jewels. Turning on Mrs. Emerson, Bradford demands that she surrender John Hunter's signed confession of forgery and the forged check, under penalty of his turning Temple over to the police for the Gal- way robbery. Almost stunned by the sudden turn of affairs, Mrs. Emerson nevertheless realizes she has lost Bradford forever, and in order to protect herself from disgrace, she goes to her desk and, opening a private compartment, she takes out Hun- ter's confession and check and hands them to Brad- ford. Bidding Bobby good-bye, and taking with them the papers and recovered jewels, Alice and Bradford quit the Emerson home, leaving behind them a much crestfallen pair. Alice and Bradford immediately hurry to the Galway residence, and greatly to Mrs. Galway's astonishment and delight they return her gems to her, and the police are noti- fied that the jewels have been found. Several weeks later sees a beautiful wedding at the Galway home, Mrs. Galway insisting on Alice and Bradford being married at her residence, as a Checkmate 21 slight reward for the return of her missing jewels. After a brief honeymoon, Alice and Bradford take up their happy married life in a country home and old John Hunter, made content once more — this time by a position of trust in Bradford's office, lives with them. THE END LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 400 387 7 • COPYRIGHT BY B. B. FEATURES 1920 Standard Printing Co. printers Los ANGELES. CAL.