The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1906-12-15
CHAPTER XVII

| fat in Her Mansions absorbed and
| impressed by the interview which had
taken place between him and the author
css. Entering his sitting g-room, he found
| half i dozen letters awaiting him. which
| he read without understanding and laid
aside, only to take up once more and
read again with the like result: for his
mind. being full OF the woman he had
| lust quilted. was incapable vi fresh I'M
| pressions.
Almost Immediately the servant en-
tered to say Mr. Mackworth had called
| 10 see her master.
"Show him in, and say | shall be
with him directly the publisher SAID.
thinking the inspector, called to tell him
what he already knew.
Now. Mackwor,h, on learning at the
| Italian hospital OF the death of Mezza
| and having the news confirmed by an
| inspection of tlIc certificate OF Marcos
| death at the Consulate. was thoroughly
| disappointed to find the deceased for
| cigner was not the man who had taken
! David Dumbarton's life.
But his mind. recovering from this
| modification. reverted with force to his
| old theory that George BoStoch, and no
| other. vas the criminal He was the
| individual whose interests were ccutercd
| in Dumbartou's death. aud though Gum
| ton Ouavc had hcsiiatcd to recognize i'll
| him the figure which was seen 70 watch
| the house on the night of the murder,
| Nartyr. the policeman. had identihed
| him as the man who was in the imne-
| diatc vicinity Of the scene OF the tragedy
e,p, after had taken nlaFa
These consideration coupled with the
fact that Mackworth mad been unable
to trace George Bostock's movements
from his leaving Mrs. Dumbarton's
presence until his return to llerschel
Mansions early in the morning, and with
the further discovery that it was his
habit, and probably had been for some
time before the tragedy, TO spend por-
ton of every night watching the au-
thoress' house, led the inspector to be-
lieve his suspicious of Bostock were
just.
Il have ventured to disturb you, sir
he began, that | might tell you OF a
discovery-a disappointing discovery
have made in the case which interests
us both
"You have not disturbed me-" an
swered George BOstock. But ! think
! have already heard your news. Sit
| down"
After ALL" said the inspector, his eyes
watching the publishers face, the ltal-
| ian was not the man who killed Mr.
| Dumbarton.'
81 know, | know" responded Bostock,
irritablv
you know exclaimed Mackwortl,
with emphasis on the last word
AS told you, | have already heard
the news"
From Mrs Dumbarton?"
Yes" Bostock replied, seating him
self with an air of weariness.
When | brought her the news this
morning she was in desperate state,
for she sees how black her case is, and
| has little hope left" remarked the in
spector, shaking his head with melan-
choly air.
But surely. surely you have some
clcwo' exclaimed Bostock, rousing him
self
Il may say, sir, between us, that l
have none replied Mackworth, with
| inpressiveness
None" repeated Bostock, his face
2ildStlN. mere liust bt Soillt NiN".
WHY" the inspector asked. eagerly.
Because here was a man stabbed in
the open roadway, outside the house in
which he took refuge; stabbed by some
| body he had quarreled with, wronged
| or insul.cd. end"
And" said Mackworth, as the pub
Usher suddenly paused.
And there must be some clew forth
coming"
"Are you sure Dunbarton's death
| happened as you describe it. sir y
| "Certain2 No How can l be cer-
tain ," Bostock said, controlling his cx-
| element But in what other way can
you account for the murder"
| Mackworth hesitated a second before
deciding on the course he would pursue,
then, leaning forward, he said, lowering
his voice to an impressive key: What
| say must remain quite secret"
"a secret" replied Bostock, his face
full of anxiety. "You may trust me-
We'll, I shouldn't be surprised if the
lady who is accused of the crime was
in reality guilty"
mo, no. exclaimed the publisher, in
hot indignation. a know she is not"
"You do?" said Mackworth quickly,
with a searching glance at the face be-
fore him.
"T will stake my life that she is inno-
| cent"
Your life.'
"Yes," answered Bostock, sudden
change from excitement to calrnness
| coming over him, "my life"
But you have not heard my explana-
| ton
| "Nor do I want to hear it"
| 1T may be reasonable for all that
persisted the Inspector Doctors tell US
there are persons of highly wrought
nervous temperaments, who, under the