The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-19

despite the fact that the bodies OF his vic
tins had not been found, and his daring
escape and mysterious disappearance from
view or thought until nov No more Ia
ment over a lame and impotent conclusion.
Here was a matter rising into the heights
Of tragedy and demanding from him the
sharp, decisive, dramatic action in which
he delighted.
What, then, we're the probabilities upon
which such action should be based? First,
that Daniel Pagan was the old and trusted
servant Of this so-called Mrs. Wharton
Secondly, that this woman, whoever she
! might be, from being meddlesome had
become venomous against DR., Wyckoh.
Third, that this change was caused by
a belief that the doctor knew who was
secretly intriguing against him, Fourth,
that this belief came from a woman's in
stinctive realization on learning that he
stood mute and r6;GzS5 % explain, that
he had recognized the handwriting on the
forged letters. Fifth, that II this were 30
and tho doctor was really the escaped
| Cuthbert Downes, then this mysterious
Wharton, with a daughter just old enough
10 have been an infant eighteen years
ago, must be the clergyman's wife, sup
posed 10 have been murdered by him.
A bent old mar with twisting lips and
furtive eyes and rubbing hands answered
Cronkite's rap at the door OF Country lane,
rear y, and before the detective took a
scat in answer to his humble bidding he had
this old man mentally measured,
Il am from Scotland Yard. Pagan he
said crisply, @and | want you in oonnec-
ton with the Cuthbert Downes case"
Il don't understand, sir; you've med
some woful mistake began Pagan.
"Save your liesl' Cronkite went on, even
more sternly. "Your mistress, living at
Knevals under the name Of Mrs. Wharton,
has confessed. Why, she gave me your
address; here IL is In her own hand" and
he brought out the slip cut from the en-
velope,
THE old cat muttered Pagan, uuaking.
After all these years Of fait'ful Sarvioe!'
-Of course continued the detective, in
her present condition Of health II is imprac-
ticable 70 do much with her. but you, Pagan,
are in different case. Back you go with me
to stand trial for conspiracy and perjury.
"Oh, it's very well known that you manu-
featured and gave most of the false testi-
mony against Downes. Rack you 90 sharp
and quick TO penal servitude lasting the
term OF your natural life, all right, unless
you make your deposition to the whole
shameful truth. The Government il bound
that Downes shall be vindicated after all
he has suffered
is he alive, then?' asked Pagan. 'S'help
me | thought the poor dear gentleman had
been shot deal the night Of his escape.
It's the unly thing that has kept me tongue
quiet, for why shud il speak ag inst me own
means Of support and do him no good at
all. at all?
Willingly then, Mr.. Officer. shall ye have
the hull trut' from me. II isn't much 10
tell, unly the black timper Of her which
niver wud stand a cross from her cradle,
and he, noor saint, layin' down hib life a
t'ousand times for her sake.
1She had the money, you know, and whin
wanst she med up her mind just what shud
I've done and how there ives no stopping
the likes Of her by the likes OF me.
Cord Almighty Loo! lookl She Is
comfi-noy marital sickness can curb her
~wlll-comin' %bedriddenl' And Pagan col
Iapsed into a gclatinous heap.
The door opened. A tall, spare woman.
dressed in black, advanced into the room
with something like the starts and jerks by
which a piece Of mechanism In propelled
across the stage. She stood erect and
silent, in stately pose, brushing the veil
from her face. In the wasted features,
the ashen hue, the deep set eyes gloomily
unfathomable, Cronkite read that wilfil
energy which had ruinef two lives.
You sneak You spyl' Rhe gasped. i
knew | would find you herel You stole nv
letter TO save the hypoorite who pays you'll"
Il must admit ! appropriated II in the
interests OF justice admitted Cronklte
genially.
Aha, you hound You thought me help
less, bedridden; but asked the postman