When the door had closed after him, Sophy turned to Alan.
"Do you think this story is true?" she asked.
"I must admit that there appears to be some truth in it," was the reply. "The certificate is correct as to your age, your birthday, and your birthplace, and the name of your mother also is correct."
"Then, am I that man's daughter?"
"Not necessarily. He may have assumed the name. He may--oh, I don't know what to think! But even if he proves his case, you won't go with him?"
"Never! never! How can we find out the truth?"
"Joe might know. I wish he would come back. I wonder if, after all, your father can be alive--Marlow, I mean."
"How can that be? We both saw him dead. Dr. Warrender gave a certificate of the death. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it is strange. In his will a sum of two thousand a year is left to be paid to a man called Herbert Beauchamp, through the Occidental Bank."
"And he says that my father was Herbert Beauchamp."