Nellie’s face clouded again; evidently to her, too, it seemed folly, but she said temperately:
“At least, James, it will cost him his inheritance, if he can make us believe him. He certainly does not gain by the assertion.”
“What?” cried Emmons. “How can you be so blind! He was willing enough to be Bob Lee—he kept mighty quiet, until I threatened suit. He was willing enough to take the money, until it looked dangerous; and then we began to hear that he was not the fellow at all.”
Nellie turned desperately to Overton.
“Mr. Overton,” she said, “do you believe this story?”
Overton nodded. “Yes,” he said, “I do; but I must tell you that I have no proofs of any kind, no facts, no evidence.”
“Then why do you believe it?”
“Why, indeed?” murmured Emmons with a carefully suppressed laugh; “a very good question.”
“I have asked myself why,” Overton answered, “and I can find only two reasons, if they may be called so. First, I do feel a difference between this man and the Bob Lee I used to know—a difference of personality. And, second, I have never had any reason to doubt this man’s word.”
“Ah, but I have,” said Nellie. “As a boy Bob was not truthful.”