Messrs. Weil and Boggs exchanged glances of well-simulated surprise as the discoverer proceeded.
"How long is it since you first knew of this matter?" asked Mr. Weil, when Hannibal came to a pause.
"Something like eighteen months."
"And you allowed this swindle to go on all that time without saying a word!" said the questioner. "I am surprised, when I remember that for a long time you saw me almost daily."
"That is true," was the quiet response. "I could not easily bring myself to disgrace one whose bread I was eating. But that does not matter now. I have here a number of notes on which Mr. Fern has forged both of your names. The law will hold him just as strongly as if I had exposed him at the time."
He exhibited a package of papers, and unsuspiciously passed them to the two gentlemen. Undoing the band Archie Weil spread the documents on the centre table and went over them carefully with Mr. Boggs, separating those which bore their several names. A close perusal of all the notes followed, and finally Mr. Weil looked up and asked if there were any more.
"No, those are all," said Hannibal. "I believe there are thirty-six of them."
Mr. Weil consulted in a low tone with Mr. Boggs. They seemed puzzled over something.
"If these are really all the notes you have," said Archie, "there has been a great mistake on your part. These endorsements are genuine in every case. Where are the forged papers of which you spoke?"
The negro stared with all his might at the speaker.