The Marshall republican., 1906-12-21
XVII.

y NHHfkAtsF@u Wy Nv "a
oSen place between him and the author
ess. Entering his sitting-room. he found
half a 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
just quilted, was incapable Of fresh I'M
pressions.
Almost Immediately the servant en-,
| tered to say Mr.. Mackwofth had called
to see her master.
"Show him in, and say 7 shall be
with him directly" the publisher said,
thinking the Inspector called to tell him
what he already knew.
Now. Mackwortb, 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
cigner was not the man who had taken
David Dumbarton's life.
But his mind, recovering from this
modification, reverted with force 10 his
old theory that George Bostoek. and no
| other, was the criminal. lie was the
| individual whose interests were conferred
in Dumbarton's death, and though Quin-
| ton Quave 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 rs the man who was IN the imme-
date vicinity Of the scene Of the tragedy
soon after Il had taken place.
These consideration. coupled with the
fact that Maekworth mad been unable
TO trace George Bostocks movements
from his leaving Mrs. Dumbarton's
presence until his return TO Herschel
Mansions early in the morning. and with
the further discovery that Il was his
habit. and probably had been for some
time before the tragedy, TO spend 0 por-
ton of every night watching the au-
thoress' house, led the inspector to be-
lievc his suspicious Of Bostoek were
just. .
81 have vcntured to disturb you, SIR"
he began, 'that ] might tell you Of a
d~iseoyery-a Disappointing discovery-I
have made In the case which interests
aus 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 ltsl-
ian was not the man who killed Mr..
Dumbarton."
II know. I know" responded Bostock,
irritably.
"You know" exclaimed Mackworih,
with emphasis on the last word,
AS ! told you. ] have already heard
the news"
"From Mrs. DumbartonY"
"Yes." Bostock replied, seating him
self with an air Of WEAKNESS.
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
speetor, shaking his head with q melan-
choly air.
'But surely, surely you have some
clewf" exclaimed Bostock, rousing him
self.
Il may say, sir. between US, that !
have none" replied Mackworth, with
impressiveness.
None repeated Bostock, bis face
ghastly. There must be some clew,"
Why" THE inspector asked, eagerly.
Because here was q man stabbed IN
the open roadway, outside the house IN
which he took refuge; stabbed by some
body he had guarded with, wrcnged
or insulted, aud
"And." said Mackworth, as the pub
Usher suddenly paused.
"And there must be some clew forth
coming"
"Arc you sure D~umbarton's death
happened rs you describe II, err"
"Certain1 No. How can be cer-
tainf" Bostock said, controlling his ex-
element. "But in what other way can
| you account for the murderf"
Msekworth hesitated q second before
deciding on the course he would pursue,
then, leaning forward, he said, lowering
bis voice to an impressive key What
! say must remain quite . secret
"A secret" replied Hostock, bic face
full Of anxiety. "You may trust me.s
We'll, ] shouldn't be surprised II the
lady who 10 accused Of tAs crime YES
"a reality guilty.
"No. nor exclaimed the publisher, IN
not indignation. Y know ~ y not '
lyon dof" said Maekvortb auictiy,
yith 2 searching siaaee st the fscc "
fore him.
7 win sake ", lifs 's't ,hs q ''as-
/sYour Ife1"
~yesr answered Hpstock, = sudlan
change from excitement "A cslnness
coming over him, Nmv llte.s
j.. sB I you have net AeaFd Fy s1'''n.-
NNor do / want 10 hear H.
IT may BE- reasonable Ter III that,"
persisted THE ipapector. Nnoctogs TIL "
there sfe paesoss q hlgely xyenei,t.
inAusncs 81 drugs - mssmsrism, afe
guilty ri ~ that they wculd Be- incsp-