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154
RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE
light flashed in upon his soul. "Farwell" was the name Big Denny had spoken—"Farwell Gibson."
"As you did Farwell Gibson," concluded Ralph, at a venture.
"Who? Come back! Stay, Fairbanks, one word!"
The old man's face had grown white. His eyes seemed suddenly haunted with dread.
"That name!" he gasped, clutching at a chair for support. "What do you know of Farwell Gibson?"
"Only," answered Ralph, "that he wrote to my father last week."
"He—wrote—" choked out Farrington, "last week—to your father—Farwell Gibson!"
The information was the capping climax. The old man uttered a groan, fell over, carrying the chair he grasped with him, and lay on the porch floor in a fit.
