One morning in October, Drane, who at this time seemed to have business demanding his frequent presence at Cane Ridge, passed by the Rogers' homestead just as Abner was coming from the house. The two conversed for a time at the stile, then Drane, as he was preparing to ride on, asked, "Any commissions I can execute for you in town, Dudley?"
"No," Abner replied, "I believe not; I was in Lexington myself Thursday. But stay," he added, "you may post a letter, if you will be so kind. Wait a minute," and he ran to the house and soon returned with a letter which he handed Drane.
This missive, which the lawyer opened as soon as he was in the privacy of his room, was addressed to Chas. M. Brady, Williamsburg, Virginia, and read as follows:
Cane Ridge, Oct. the 5, 1802.
Honored Sir;—I was in Lexington again on Thursday; saw Morrison,
and del'v'd y'r enclosure containing recommendations, etc. But just now,
owing to the absence of two of the trustees, John Meeks and Israel
Power, I can accomplish nothing. Judge Barr favors y'r appointment,
but he is so handicapped that he can do very little. I learn from
a trustworthy informant that Ezra Spaiter, of Milledgeville, is
also an applicant for this professorship. Therefore, it would not
be advisable to open negotiations with Ingraham, for I know that
he is strongly in favor of Spaiter. Nor do I think it would be
well to make application through Brown, who, I learn, contemplates
withdrawing altogether from the University. Consequently, I advise
that you make no further move in this matter until you are apprised
of Power's return. I will see him and Tarr as soon as possible;
and you may rest assured that I will do all I can for you.
Y'r ob't, humble serv't to command,
| Abner Dudley Logan. | To Charles M. Brady, |
| Williamsburg, Va. |
"Now, what does this mean?" Drane thought as he saw the full signature, Abner Dudley Logan. "Has the fellow been adopting an alias? I must investigate this matter. But meanwhile I've another task before me," and he spread the letter before him on the table, drew forth writing materials, and set to work. The next evening and the next found him similarly engaged, until by dint of repeated effort and close observation, aided by natural aptitude for such work, he produced a fair counterfeit of Abner's writing. While thus engaged, another scheme presented itself to his fertile brain. To carry out this scheme, he first made a copy of the letter to Brady. The wording was the same as that of the original, and the penmanship so good an imitation that only a suspicious and close observer could detect the difference.
"As this Brady is far away, and probably not so well acquainted with the schoolmaster's fist as Gilcrest is, it will be safer to send my copy to him," Drane decided, "and manipulate the original for the Major's benefit. If this, in conjunction with that other document I shall show at the same time, doesn't put an end to that upstart's chances with Gilcrest's daughter, I'm much out of my reckoning. Ah, Betty! bewitching, tormenting Betty! I'll have you yet in spite of your stand-off airs and half-veiled scorn of James Anson Drane."
The next afternoon found this unscrupulous plotter closeted with Major Gilcrest in the pleasant library at Oaklands.