Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-01-24
CHAPTER XXUT

an impenetrabe and distressing mystery,
the clew to which the dreamer WIS
forced to seek through a surprising
maze of difficulties without ever being
able to discover
Quinton was puzzled, disturbed and
anxious What if Valerius had not been
in Paris on the night OF Dumbarton's
death? The conclusions to which this
idea led were irauUht with terrible CON
sequences. In striving to control his
imagination by the exercise OF his rea-
son, his mind became more pcrplcxcd
and he could sleep no more. He there
fore rose early without feeling rested or
refreshed, and on coming down to the
breakfast room found his father and
mother each with a morning raper in
which was set forth IN sensational
fashion the confession { u3oroe Bos-
took. furnished with fuller details than
had been given in the journals of the
previous evening.
Let us see. mother" Quinton said,
getting behind her chair and leaning
over her shoulder that he might read
for himself the statements made.
Presently Mrs Ouave having finished
with the paper, handed it to her son.
saying How much we ma" be deceived
in people | could never lave believed
Mr.. Bostce,t guilty if he had not con-
fessed"
Nor l." replied Ouinton emphatically
Poor dear Mrs. Dumbarton should
feel intense relief" said Mrs. Quave.
That's the strangest part" answer
ed her husband. "She is more dis
trcssed than ever"
"Why?' asked Ouinton, who not hav~
ing seen his father since the previous
afternoon, knew nothir~ of Olive Dunn
barton's opinions.
Because she believes Bostock made
this confession to save her"
Yes. On Bostock's confession be-
ing made known to her yesterday eve
ming she refused to believe in. his guilt,
and received such shock that she faint
ed, when | was sent for; she was al
most as bad as on the night her husband
was killed"
There must be something in all this"
said Quinton, thoughtfully.
In all what?" asked his mother,
sharply.
In her refusal TO believe Bostock
guilty; i'll her opinion that he sacrificed
himself to save her"
DR.. Quave took his morning paper
once more and began to read, while his
son, with one elbow on the table, his
head resting on one hand, became alb
sorbed in thought.
The question he had been unable to
settle satisfactorily now faced him once
more. Had he really made a mistake
in identifying Valerius with the man
he had observed on the night of the
tragedy, or was his first impression, on
seeing the figure the previous evening
correct?
The consideration was startling, but
there was no setting it aside once it had
taken possession of his thoughts; nor
was there any longer a 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 evening, yet his
action might be the cause of bringing
disgrace and perhaps death TO a rela-
tive of one whom he deeply loved
| Should he keep silent and allow the
problem to work itself out unaided by
| him, or had he better speak and free
the innocent if such were in his power
On this point he resolved to take the
advice of his father, and as the latter
rose from the table Quinton said in a
serious tone:
q want to speak to YOU
"What is it?" the doctor inquired
seating himself once more
Something that | want to consult
you about that bothers me-"
81 hope that you haven't got into a
scrape, my lad?"
mo, father. It's about Mrs. DUN
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 suppositions
which had since beset him.
"This is serious, very serious, for
your identification of Galbraith would
place him in an uncommonly suspic-
ious light" said the doctor. "That is
| supposing he was not in Paris on the
night of Dumbarton's death. But that:
a question which must no longer be left
in doubt"
"Who is to prove whether he was OF
not? Mackworth, of course, YOU mus
see him at once"
"But if it turns out that Galbraith il
guilty?" said Quinton with hesitation.
"Well?"
"Don't you see, father" replied tn,
young man anxiously.
"What?" asked the doctor impatient
ly "What is there to see?'
"It is through me he will be founc
out-he who is Veronica's cousin"
"But you will prove her mothers in
nocence?"
"That is now practically established
'But at the cost of a man who ma
be innocent. You must not hesitate
my lad, to do your duty"