She nodded ever so slightly.
“And did it strike you as strange the way he treated Mr. McGowan when he offered to help him to his room?”
“But why do you bring Mr. McGowan into this?”
“Bets, if I had known one grain of the truth that night I’d have flatly refused the appointment to this case at the risk of losing my position in the firm. Father was afraid that night. Here is one more paper I wish 327 you to read. I had it copied in Washington last week.”
Elizabeth unfolded the paper, and read: “Be it known that one Adoniah Phillips, after due application, and upon his own request, for reasons herein stated, is authorized to change his name to–––”
The paper fell to the floor. The room began to swim. The furniture violently rocked. Elizabeth reached out and clutched her brother’s arm.
“Mack McGowan!” she whispered faintly. “Oh, what am I saying? Why am I saying that name? What has happened to me?”
“Poor little girl! I thought my little sister was stronger than that. I’ve been a fool for letting you read all those papers after the strain you’ve been through.”
“Mack McGowan!” she repeated. She seized the paper which her brother had lifted from the floor. “Oh, it’s in that paper, and it’s his name! Harold, what does it mean?”
“You must brace up, Beth. The man you are in love with is the son of Adoniah Phillips. He bears his father’s new name.”