Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Craniological Experiment.

A Genealogical Experiment.
Idris Breakspear strolled slowly to and
Iro beneath the lime trees in the garden
of West Crest. reading for the twentieth
time a letter received by him the previous
evening.
Accompanying the letter was note word
ed thus: The inclosed speaks for ltselt.
Can YOU ever forgive me for my seven
years silence ?-LORELIE ROCHEFORI.
The missive forwarded to Idris was her
mothers confession relative to the muir
der of NJ Duchesne. confession which, II
need scarcely be said, overwhelmed lars
with amazement.
The hone entertained by him during so
many long years was at last ieahZeo' II
was now within his power to clear his faith
er's memory; but the knowledge brought
with It as much pain as pleasure, for to
establish his fathers innocence was to
bring iguominy upon the name of the wom-
an he loved.
A soft football attracted his attention, and
raising his eyes from the letter ne sd"
Lady Walden herself. Sadly and tlmidly
she stood. obviously in doubt as to the sort
of reception she would meet with. 10 Iace
the reproachfuI eyes of Idris was more
trying ordeal than that OF accompanying
the earl to the terrible vault.
She was the first to speak.
you are reading my mothers letter,
perceive. You know now that II was my ny
father and not yours that murdered pu,
chesne. / have come" she faltered, Il
have come to ask. yet scarcely daring 10
ask whether you can forgive me LOT main
tanning silence hitherto. i have longeo 10
tell you the truth, but have been afraid.
Do not" she added, brea thlessly, do not
reproach me. You cannot reproach me
more than my own conscience has,
The look of sorrow In her eyes Instantly
effaced from Idrs' mind all resentment for
his fathers wrongs. The oath sworn TO
his mother in childhood's days became 1or-
gotten.
Lady Walden" he replied, "if there be
ANYTHING on my part to forgive. l freely
forgive 1 cannot blame you Tor seeking u
shield your fathers name.
The look of gratitude that came over her
face thrilled IdriS who would gladly nave
forgiven her ten times as much for such
glance she now gave him. -
She had expected to be treated with coio-
ness If not with anger by Idris instead OF
which she received from him the same ten
der respect as heretofore. She trembled
with secret pleasure to think that she sui
held a place in his regard. 49,
And now you know the truth, you Will
publish 1t to the world she said
II think not" he replied. speaking slowly
and thoughtfuliy. mo, l am sure l shall
You will not redeem your fathers mem
DRY from guilt?" said Lorelie, with little
gasp of surprise. "Why not?"
because the fair name of Lady Walden
must not be darkened by the shadow OF
the past"
Her ewes drooped. She had no need to
ask why he was DESTROYS of shielding her
name from reproach, knowing full we'll
that it was from love of her.
But this-this is not just" she said IN
low voice.
ITO proclaim the truth would injure the
living he replied, without in any way
benefitng the dead
ut is not right" she declared, that your
father and you should bear the stigma that
belongs TO and mine. / Will proclaim
the truth myself
Lady Walden, if it be your desire to
please me, you will maintain silence. But
pardon my discourtesy, you are standing
all this time"
He led her to garden seat, and took his
place beside her.
you once asked me-" said Lorele. Ito
let you read my fathers correspondence.
have brought his letters with me. They
are here"
She held out a packet of letters.
"Wu you not read them to me, Lady
Walden? You can then omit what you
think necessary"
II have no wish to conceal anything con-
tanned in them" she answered. placing the
letters In his hand. But before you read,
let me forestall and correct an erroneous
impression you may be likely to draw from
them. Guided partly by these letters, part
ly by other considerations, 1 have, till a
few days ago. entertained the belief that
the Earl of Ormsby was none other than
your father. Eric Marville."
Despite his desire to be serious Idris
could not refrain from smiling at this
statement
"And what has led YOU to discard this
extraordinary theory?" he asked.
II was glancing yesterday over copy of
old French newspaper-L Etoile de la
Bretagne-in which Is given a full descrip-
ton of your father as he appeared at his
trial in the Palais de Justice. Now in this
account Eric Marville Is described hav-
ing very dark eyes, whereas Lord Orms-
bys eyes are light gray in color
(which deprives me of the honor of
claiming an earl as my father" said Idris
with an air of mock disappointment.
81 do not think you will esteem 1t much
of an honor when you hear what have to
say. But, first. will you not read these let
ters?"
Idris, though much surprised by her
words. made no further comment but
turned to the correspondence of Captain
Rochefort.
Lorelie had arranged the letters in chron-
illogical order. and Idris began his perusal J.,
becoming more interested with each success
sfve missive. When he had finished read
ing he looked extremely grave. and said:
The final letters. interpreted by what We
know to have taken place within Ormfell,
would almost seem to suggest-how shall
i say it?-that your father was killed by
mine!"
THAT at first was my belief but 1 know
now 1t cannot have been"
II trust that you are right. But why
cannot ii have been?'
Beatrice in her hypnotic trance recog-
never seen either your father mine.
Therefore we cannot impute the murder to
either OF these"
''Truer replied Idris. with a sudden feel
ing of relief But tell me, Lady Walden.
what face did she see, for l am convinced
that you know"
If" she replied evasvely "if we can
discover the present poSsessor of the Vik-
iHgs treasure, We shall obtain a strong
clue To the assassin
Undoubtedly"
T,ly n,
Ravenhal concealed in the secret vault.
And she proceeded to intensity Idris' sur
prise by relating the incident of her visit
TO the crypt. saying nothing however. as
20 the earl's purpose in taking her thther
Who placed the treasure there?" asked
idris.
-Four persons only have had access to
this vault-the earl. Viscount Walden, the
family solicitor. and the rector of Ormsby.
The two latter we can at once dismiss
from our list of suspects
Idris turned startled face upon LOrelie