I was willing enough to be an instrument for keeping certain unknown institutions out of a legacy bequeathed them by a crazy man, and saving the property to his rightful heirs.

Why not?
especially as the very administrators themselves considered it the proper thing to do.

Of course a technical crime was involved--I must pretend to be another, even forge that other's name, but for no criminal purpose.

I was merely paid for the risk assumed, and it was easy money.

Perhaps the years of rough life I had led had blunted my sensibilities to large extent--had left me less capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, yet, not until Mrs.
Bernard had so unexpectedly voiced her doubt did I so much as suspicion I was being made a catspaw of for a criminal end.