THE IDENTIFICATION. Carter conducted Peter Wright upstairs to the attic room in which the body of the victim lay. The coroner was making an examination, but he stepped aside, so as to allow Mr. Wright to see the face of the murdered man. The former proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn looked at the ghastly white countenance long and intently. All of the persons in the room watched him in silence. Several times the old man shook his head back and forth and his brow became contracted. Finally he looked at Carter and shook his head dolefully. “There is a certain familiar expression about that man’s features,” he said, in a tone of awe, “but for the life of me I cannot recall who he is. If he were a patron of the Red Dragon Inn while I was proprietor, he has changed so that I cannot remember him.” “I am very sorry that you are not able to identify the body, Mr. Wright,” the detective said. “Will you kindly accompany me downstairs. I want to have a private talk with you.” “Lead on, and I will follow.” The detective led the way down to the parlor. As soon as they were inside the room he closed the door. Presently he and Mr. Wright were ensconced in easy-chairs. “Permit your memory to wander back ten or twelve years to the time when you owned this place, and see if you can recall the name of any one of your patrons who was sent to State’s prison.” Mr. Wright started. “By Jove!” he exclaimed. Carter smiled and his eyes sparkled. “What startles you?” the detective asked, with an assumed air of surprise. “Nothing startles me,” Mr. Wright rejoined. “Then what is it?” “That man is Alfred Lawrence--he has changed mightily--it is no wonder I did not recognize him. But I know him now.” “Who was Alfred Lawrence?” “He was one of my old customers. He was sent to Sing Sing for fifteen years for forgery. Don’t you remember the famous Lawrence will case?” “I have a slight recollection of it. The trial took place while I was away in Europe, and I read very little about it.” “I will tell you about it.” “Do so.” “Alfred Lawrence was a well-to-do produce merchant, who had an office on West Street and lived on Beach Street. “His uncle, after whom he was named, was the senior member of the firm. Old Alfred Lawrence was a bachelor. “When he died a will was found, and in it he left all his estate to his nephew. “Simeon Rich, another nephew, and his sister contested the will. They claimed that it was a forgery and that Alfred Lawrence had forged his uncle’s signature. “The case came up before the surrogate and the fight was a bitter one on both sides. “Lawrence’s wife, with whom he had lived unhappily, went before the referee and swore that she had seen her husband forge the will. Her testimony was corroborated by Blanchard, the chief witness, who was Lawrence’s butler. “It was hinted at, at the time, that Mrs. Lawrence and Simeon Rich were very intimate.