Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-03-09
in THE SHADOW OF SHAME |
:;: ::;: ::;:, t =: ::
c.ey,,sh, 1901 By
Z. Fitzgerald n>Iley


Olive Dumbartons belief in Bostock's
innocence seemed to Quin,on to throw
a new light on his meeting with Va
lerius, and made conjectures assume
the appearance of possibilities. What
would have been unilnportant II Bos-
tock's conf ession had been received
without doubt by her it most con-
cerned now became matter of grave
Significance. Moreover, the fact of
Mrs. Dumbarton's disbelief in Bostock's
guilt once having been received into
Quintons mind no longer seemed
strange or unaccountable, and he found
himself sympathizing with her convic-
tion which presently he became ready
to share.
Now 1t was safe to infer that the
man who had murdered David Dunn
barton was the same whom Quinton
had seen half an hour before that &C.
currence. And he had failed to identt-
fly him with Bostock when the latter
same hour. but Quinton had imme-
diately identified valerius with the per-
son who was presumably guilty.
The consideration was startling. but
there was no setting it aside once 1t
had taken possession of his thoughts;
nor WAS tneTe any longer d POSSIBILITY
of routing from his mind a doubt as
to whether Valerius was in Paris on
the night OF the tragic event. The
young man found himself perplexed
by the situation which faced him. A
mystery of the gravest Importance
might be solved by his admission of
what had happened the previous even
ing. yet his action might be the cause
of bringing disgrace and perhaps death
to a relative OF one whom he deeply
loved Should he keep silent and all
low the problem to work itself out I'M
aided by him, or had he better speak
and free the innocent IL such We're in
his power?
on this point he resolved to ask the
advice of his father, and as the latter
rose from the table, Quinton said In Il
serious tone:
II want to speak to you"
What Is it," the doctor inquired,
seating himself once more.
Something that 1 want to consult
you about that bothels me-"
II hope that you haven't got into
a scrape, my lad?"
mo, father It's about Mrs. Dunn
barton's case"
Something new" the doctor said,
his interest suddenly aroused.
Quinton in few words, told him Of
the meeting of the previous night, and
of the doubts and suggestions which
had since beset him.
This is serious, very serious, for
your Identification of Galbraith would
place him in an uncommonly sus picious
light" said the doctor THAT Is, sup
posing he was not i'm Paris on the
night of Dumbarton's death But that's
Il question which must no longer be
left i'm doubt"
(which iH to prove whether he was
or not? Mackworth, of course; you
must see him at once"
But If 1t turns out that Galbraith
.Weli?"
Don't you see, father?" replied the
young man anxiously
"What?" asked the doctor impati-
emily. What is there to see?'
ut is through me he will be found
out-he who is Veronica's cousin
But you will prove her mothers in
nocence2"
THAT is now practically established"
But at the cost Of man who may
be innocent. You must not hesitate,
my lad, to do your duty"
II wish it were someone else's duty
than mine" said Quinton.
That it's yours is clear enough.
Recollect, if Galbraith is innocent your
words can do him no harm. and if he
! Is guilty-wel, he deserves to be
/ hanged for it,
| That's what l dread"
For he has not only taken Dunbar
i tons life, but has allowed an innocent
woman to lie under the charge, and
accepted the greatest sacrifice man
could make from Bostock. See Mack
worth without further delay; tell him
what you have told me, and let him
act as he thinks best. That's what
you must do, my boy"
Quinton saw that he must set aside
B ht ,,,,I
in the manner his father suggested.
Therefore. half an hour later. while the
October sun was struggling to over
come a fog that suddenly had gathered
above the great city. he approached
the inspectors house, dispirited at the
prospect of the interview he sought
| He found Mackworth in his little sit
ting room. the somberness of which
was relieved by a great fire, in front
of which Shawn stood noisily barking
/ After the first greetings had passed
| between them. and before Quinton be-
! gan his story, he became aware that
the inspector looked unusually grave
perpleXed and absorbed.
For 1T happened that morning that
Mackworth having finished his break
fast had turned to the fire that he
might warm his feet before putting
! on his boots. When facing the Chin
neypiece his eyes fell on the gloves
! placed there the previous evening, the
same which he had taken by mistake
from Nalegius Galbariths rooms. AT
/ first the INSPECTOR glanced at them
casually. resolving that he would re-
/ turn them Immediately. and then he
looked at them with closer attention
/ admiring and taking them In his hand
| while the idea occurred to him thai
4 they were not quite unfamiliar 10 his
sight.
This might he accounted for nv his