"Yes—it is a remarkable counterfeit. You would not know it from a good one. Only an expert can tell the difference. But all these crooks overreach themselves. Clever as they are, they usually leave some mark which betrays them. For example, in printing this bill which bears the head of Lincoln, they have spelled his first name 'Abrahem'—in other words, the engraver made an 'e' when it should have been 'a.'"
Ray jumped up, quite excited. Her eyes flashing, she cried.
"Isn't that strange! I have a new $10 bill, and I noticed to-day the queer spelling of Abraham. Wouldn't it be funny if I had one of the counterfeits?"
The lawyer smiled.
"It wouldn't be funny; it would be a tragedy, considering that in a short while from now I am to pay your bills. Where is the bank note?"
"I'll run up and get it. It's in my purse."
When she had disappeared, Steell turned to his hostess and said:
"Have you seen Signor Keralio lately?"
"Hardly—you know I dismissed him from the house."
The lawyer sat thoughtfully drumming his fingers on the table. Musingly, he said: