Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-18
GoeNe0oUv 1906 ~ KAeO Locs yCo

fact, ] said. "You have heard that name in
the history Of one of the most notorious trials
OF the last fifty years. have the strongest rea.
sons for believing Mrs. Catncart, your house
trial"
Good Godl" The words burst from him, and,
though he had his face turned from me, and
was shading his eyes with his hands, the emo
ton which had given birth to them could not be
mistaken. / saw the impression that had made
and waited anxiously.
For some moments which seemed much longer
to me, he remained silent, his face hidden, his
fingers tapping his forehead nervously. When
ne turned TO me at last his features had recov-
cred something of their usual ruddy hue, though
It struck me then for the first time how changed
and i'll he was looking lately.
How did you make this discovery" he asked
at last And how can you be sure that it is
true?"
II saw portrait of Mrs. Bolton yesterday"
l said at last. "And have reason to believe
that Mrs. Cathcart has been in prison"
lis there anything else you know?" said Mr..
Dunn, after moment or twos silence, keeping
his face still turned from me.
Again L hesitated It was evident to me, and
it came as surprise, that neither Mrs. Cathcart
nor the maid whom / had paid to watch Elsie
had said anything of the matter to Mr.. Dunn.
Should ] mention it to him?
What you tell me has amazed me-" he said
rising from his chair and pacing up and down
the room. Amazed me more than / can say.
and, of course can do nothing else but thank
you for coming to tell me. I must, however, warn
you at once that believe you to be utterly mis-
taken in both your statements regarding Mrs.
Cathcart. must tell you that she came to me
with the highest recommendations from old
and very influential friend of mine person of the
very highest standing, and for whose word have
the greatest respect. The woman has served me
admirably during the time she has been with me,
and | have never noticed anything about her
which might give color to such a startling charge
as you bring. However, the matter is much too
serious to be dismissed so lightly. l shall at
once write to my friend about the woman, and
shall make other inquiries which l have it in
my power to make If you right, the woman
shall not stay in my house another moment; and
if the law do anything to her, l should
imagine it certainly can, it shall"
And leading the way to the door, he me
out of the house.
l heard nothing from him for twenty-four
hours, during which existed in state of al
most unbearable suspense, and then there came
note from him. 1t thus
''Dear Mr.. Blackwood,-
| 'T have made the fullest inquiries in the mat.
| ter concerning which you came to see me on
Wednesday, and 1 am happy to inform You that
\ they in every way satisfactory. Nv friend.
| of whom | told you, a lady of title and high
position, assures me that she has known Mrs
Cathcart for forty years, since she was child
in fact-and that she is woman of the highest
character. This lady also tells me that Mrs.
Cathcart is undoubtedly what she calls herself,
and that she personally acquainted with
the husband, who was, like Mrs. Cathcar, her.
SELF of superior station in life, Other inquiries
which 1 have. made, though without recognizing
their necessity, repeat these statements in their
essentials am glad to be the means of reliev-
ing your mind on this subject, and, you may cas-
lily suppose, feel myself most pleased at its salts
factory conclusion
Believe me,
Faithfully yours.
"NICHOLAS DUNN"
read the letter through twice, and folding it
up, put it in my pocket with a lighter heart