The Marshall republican., 1907-02-08
CHAPTER xxxIII.

%festful, and troubled night, vivid and
soaring thoughts she was powerlcss TO
Danish, picturing the past with its
troubles, dwelling on the present with
its seemingly impenetrable mystery,
showing the future with its dread pos
sibilities. But when at last sleep came
II was profound, nor did she wake until
hate in the morning. The fog which
had hung m%ournfully over the city the
previous evening had not yet quite
lifted, and at first thought the dull gray
atmosphere was the light Of early dawn.
A glance at her watch showed her II
was past 10 o'clock. and she touched
her bell.
As " awaiting the signal, Veronica
Immediately entered, hastily yet noise
lessly crossed the room, and finginR
one arm round her mothers shoulders,
kissed her.
ooh, mother, mother" the girl MIR
INJURED with a sob in her throat.
The terror dominant in Ncronica's
voice struck its nearer, in whose mind
Immediately arose a f~orcshadowing OF
pain, a foreboding Of horror.
What is H., childi' she asked,
scarcely able TO frame her sentence.
Something has happened"
"Al, ! know; he Is dead" Olive
Dumbart9u replied IN a tone Of despair.
Not 7. Bostock," said Veronica,
NO. Who theni, her mother ask.
cd hurriedly, a load lifted from her
heart. her eyes fixed qu~estioningly upon
her daughters.
"Valerius."
Vaieriusi" repeated Olive Dunbar
ton in~credulously, the truth o yet
reaching her mind.
"He was found dead this morning on
a couch IN his study. His man came
here TO tell us, but ! would not disturb
you. IL Is terrible, terrible. mother
dear"
A low moan was the only reply Olive
Dumbarion gave. But no sooner had
she realized the sudden death of one
whom she had seen In health and
strength a few days previously than her
active mind began 20 form surmises. her
vivid imagination 10 shape fears. After
a long pause she said.
This Is pitiful poor Valerius. Tell
me all, Veronica"
1T Is thought-it Is fearcd-but
nothing yet known. a letter lay on
his desk directed 90 George Coris, and
on the table a bottle which had contain
ed chloroform."
Presently she asked In n voice that
was almost q whisper:
rs there no letter for mel"
Il don't know. mother. | have been
10 scared, but III go and see"
Left alone IN the semi -darkened room,
her grief and pity for Valerius, to-
/ tafl.e ..g.fh sha l.as ..1teh La. A.A..l
them, ovcrcame her. and she began 10
sob and cry Historically. Seeing this
Veronica. on her return, could not keep
back her tears, and they both wept bit
terly for some time. When eventually
the girl was able 10 control herself and
had partially succeeded In soothing her
mother, she produced an envelope direc-
ted by Valcrius and sealed with red
wax. bearing. his monogram. And the
curtains having been drawn and the
trembling hands opened the letter and
read there the confession she had dread
ed and anticipated.
Meanwhile all was confusion In the
house where the body Of Valerius Gal
braith lay. servants going from room
to room with . b~ewildered air; police
men going TO and frot the chilling
~stagnating atmosphere OF death weigh
ing upon oil. And among those who
came and went wal Mackworth. who
not without disappointment. realized
that the case which had puzzled him
had been brought to an end without
his aid or Intervention.
But the previous night the inspector
had returned from Paris, whittier he
had gone, TO ascertain for himself II
valerius had been there on the nigh,
OF the Hoxton Road tragedy. Without
much difficulty Mackworth had learned
Of Caibraith's absence from his hotel
On that date. and armed with this fac,
had fastened to London, resolving
further to trace the movements OF the
man who Il now seemed possible was
connected with Dumbarton's death.
With morning Mackworth found his
labors unnecessary. Valerius had cs-
capped, leaving q letter which acknow-
lodged his deed.
When In due time a jury had re-
turned q verdict declaring Valerius Cal
braith guilty Of the death Of David
Dumbarton and the innocence alike OF
Olive and George Bostock was estab-
iished. That the latter had confessed
to q murder OF which he had not been
guilty was set down by the press and
received by the public a. . conse-
lQuence of the deiirium from which he
had suffered, s~elf-accusation being q not
uncommon occurrence with those whose
minds were temporarily affected BY
drink, fever OF accidents.
A time passed George Bostocls
consciousness. at first faint and Hit
ting, gradually strengthened and re-
tanned it, hold for longer periods; and
five day.. after the last operation he
was. enabled TO answer questions. His
replies, which were always monosyilabic,
seemed delivered with reluctance. and n
was thought advisable not TO tax his
mind By addressing loauiries, Or En-;