Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-01-07

per which he had taken from his pocket.
After it was read Mr. Eustace returned
1t, saying:
IL WIS abroad at the time of Mr..
Dorison's death. had been for several
years, and for two years after. AT the
exact time was in the far east upon
special diplomatic mission, and there
fore not until my return to Paris, many
months afterward, did | hear of its oc-
currence presume by that time inter-
est in the events surrounding it had sub
sided, and upon my return to this city was
almost all forgotten. and what was re-
membered was perverted. All that |
heard was that the young man had be-
haved very badly, and had been discard
ed by his father previous to the fathers
death; that lie had disappeared. thought
it strange, for the very last letter | had
from Reuben Dorison. written some
weeks before his death. but received by
me many months after it, while speak
ing of troubles conplicaiing his old age,
referred in enthusiastic terms to the
comfort and pride he had in his only
son."
you maintained IL close intimacy with
Mr.. DOrison:" asked Cathcart.
Yes, it could not be closer" replied
Mr.. Eustace warmly. cat one period
of our lives it was sacredlv confidential
"A confidence which doubtless would
have made me familiar with every event
in his life, and him with that in mine,
had not long separation by which we
could not meet, except at the intervals
of years, and then only briefly, occurred.
Upon my side there was absolutely no
reservation so long as it continued"
He did you essential service at one
timer
"He did, indeed"
Saved you from ruin by taking
charge Of your estate, which You had en-
dangerea by extravaganza and reckless
ness OF life, lending the aid Of his finances
and credit
The face og Mr. Eustace flushed deep
ly, and looked with no little anger upon
the calm and immobile face of the de-
tectve.
1T is true, SIR" he replied, with his
stateiiest manner; but how You came
to know it cannot tell"
81 have fually won Mr. Dorison's
executor to Il belief in the innocence Of
the son. He has given me access to all
of the papers Of the estate.
lyon are at 40 pains TO make your
words gentle" said Mr. Eustace, with
much dignity.
Il am surgeon with probe. can
not expect to escape intiicting pain.
Justice delayed eight years demands the
truth at all cost. have read you very
inaccurately if am mistaken in assuln-
ing you to be a man of strict honor, high
regard for justice and a deep sense of
the obligation man owes another in
distress
Mr.. Eustace colored under the fatter-
ing estimate of his character.
81 asked the question from no idle
curiosity, nor from Il desire to inhict
pain, but in order to confirm theory |
had formed as to the relations existing
between you and Mr.. Dorison. Such
confidence and reliance as you gave him
begets return. 1t is knowledge Of Mr.
Dorison's life want not of yours
Now, sir, up to this time yOu have ac-
cepted me on the strength of my own
statement as 10 what am. ! am about
TO ask you questions which You should
not answer Il stranger or one having no
reasonable right to ask them, Do me
the favor to examine my credentials"
He handed Mr.. Eustace package Of
papers ne drew from an inner pocket,
and lay back in his chair patiently await
ing their examination.
In time Mr.. Eustace returned them.
Il am satisfied, sir; some of them
credit You with great emneuce in your
profession.
II nave done some good work in nv
time, replied Cathcart indifferently. If
you are satisfied as to my identity we
will proceed"
Mr.. Eustace was evidently greatly i'm
pressed with his visitor, and yielded to
HIM as most men did.
81 spprehend," said Cathcart, "that
we Wit make greater progress if sub
NIT my theory to you and try to sec
whether We can erect it into certainty
Iou VIII perceive luthat unfinished let
tel direct reference is made to il son
. The writer seyHA 10 be borne down 10y
the fact tuIt all the evils lie has recitcd
are to attributed 10 Hri ungrGteful son
Now. inas!nuch aa ne had but one son.
the superficial aud perhaps natural sup
position would he that That son was re-
ferred To-. But we are Immediately con-
!rontrd with the fact that nothing in the
Ilte OF the young man can be found to
justify the charges
'Upon the contrary we find abundant
evidence that that son was treated with
confidence, pride affection and generos-
ltY winch the son REPAID with an allcc-
ton ana attention quite as strong. This
certainly Is contradictory Bat if fur
thcr evidence IS wanted 1t is to he found
Ill the almost frantic eudraVors of the
young man himself to disprove the
chan grS- endeavors i'll directed and i'll
advised H. might be expected in n boy
only tWonty-threc thruWlr9 himself
open to the most r;ih cAaMluati1u. and
iuHin'r That after NDVia8 tauoded on
these troubles for eight wears, no has set