Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-12-20
CHAPTER XVII.

| fat in Herschel Mansions absorbed and
| impressed by the interview which had
taken place between him and the author
ess. Entering his sitting room, he found
half 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 of fresh inn
pressions.
Almost Immediately the servant en-
tered to say Mr.. Mackworth had called
to 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, Mackworth, on learning at the
| Italian hospital of the death OF Mezza,
and having the news confirmed by an
inspection of the certificate of Marcos
| death at the Consulate, was thoroughly
disappointed TO find the deceased for
| eigner 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 Bostock, and no
| other, was the criminal. lie was the
individual whose interests were conferred
in Dumbarton's death. and though Quin-
ton Ouave had hesitated to recognize in
| him the figure which was seen to watch
the house on the night of the murder,
Martyr, the policeman. had Identified
him as the man who was in the imme-
date vicinity of the scene of the tragedy
soon after it had taken place.
These considerations. coupled with the
fact that Mackworth had been unable
to trace George Bostocks movements
from his leaving Mrs. Dumbarton's
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 a por-
ton of every night watching the au-
thoress' house, led the Inspector to be
lieve his suspicious OF Bostock were
just
81 have ventured to disturb you, sir
he began. that might tell you Of a
discovery-a disappointing discovery-I
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, I know" responded Bostock,
irritably
"You know" exclaimed Mackworth,
with emphasis on the last word
"As told you. have already heard
the news"
From Mrs Dumbarton7"
"Yes," Bostock replied, seating him
self with an air of WEAKNESS.
when / brought her the news this
morning she was in a desperate state,
for she sees how black her case is, and
has little hope left" remarked the in
spector, shaking his head with a melan-
choly air.
But surely, surely you have some
clewT exclaimed Bostock, rousing him
self.
II may say, sir, between US, that /
have none," replied Mackworth, with
impressiveness.
"None," repeated Bostock, his face
CHASTITY. There must be some clew"
Why" the inspector asked, eagerly.
Because here was man stabbed in
the open roadway, outside the house in
which he took refuge; stabbed by some
body he had quarreled with, wronged
or insultcd, and"
"And," said Mackworth, as the pub
Usher suddenly paused.
"And there must be some clew forth
coming"
"Are you sure Dumbarton's death
happened as you describe it, sir?"
Certain? No. How can | be cer-
tain?" Bostock said, controlling his ex-
element But in what othef way can
you account for the murder2"
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 a secret"
"a secret" replied Bostock, his face
fulI OF anxiety. you may tIuSt me
well, I shouldn't be surprised If the
lady who is accused of the crime was
m reality guilty"
mo, no." exclaimed the publisher, in
hot Indignation. II know she Is not"
"You dor" said Mackworth quickly,
with searching glance at the face be-
fore him.
II win stake my life that she Is limo
cent"
"Your life~
EYES," answered Bostock. sudden
change from excitement to ealmness
coming over him, my life"
But you have not heard my explana-
ton"
Nor do want to hear It,"
at may be reasonable for all that"
persisted the Inspector. doctors tell US
there are persons of highly wrought,
nervous temperaments, who, under the
influence OF drugs or nresmerism, are
guilty of acts that they would be incap-