Charlevoix county herald., 1915-03-13
CHAPTER II.
TIE HAUNTING DOUBT.

THE HAUNTING DOUBT.
An hour later Farcourt sauntered
slowly down the front steps of his
house and entered Ills electric broug-
ham. Dressed with more than usual
care, his stick hanging carelessly over
his arm, and a cigarette between his
lips, he seemed to TIE curious little
ehrong on the sidewalk, the most I'M
concerned man in the world. Yet for
che first time In his life, John Har-
court faced real mental anguish, and
was experiencing an emotion stronger
than any that had ever come to him.
A little knot OF newspaper men
gathered near the house railing, hur-
ried forward, hoping for a word with
him, but the brougham door with its
amblazoned arms. was slammed quick
ly shut, and the motor moved OF
swiftly.
By this time the whole city had
heard of Towneshend's death, and
every club, cafe fashionable house
In London was eagerly discussing IT,
Tho mystery of the affair coupled
With the prominence of those concern
cd In II, made tic murder the topic
Of the hour, and news OF its develop
ments was being eagerly awaited.
In fact, at that very moment In Buck
mgham palace, minister was rela-
ting to the king such details as had
been gathered by scotland Yard
In a brief talk it'll inspector Mao
Bee, Harcourt had learned everything
the police knew about the murder.
and the fact that as yet nothing had
been discovered to give the slightest
possible clues as 20 a motive. he
had at once offered to give himself
into the custody of the inspector, but
that official stated that no arrests
would be made until the following
Gay unless additional evidence should
be secured. To Harcourt's relief,
MacBee had been courtesy itself, and.
swing to the position of the men i'm
plicated. had merely asked them TO
keep Scotland Yard advised OF their
whereabouts until they heard further
from him. In doing this, MacBee had
his own purpose, for his operatives
were secretly observing every move
ment OF those concerned and he hoped
vaguely that the very liberty he ap-
parently allowed them all might help
him solve the problem the case pre-
scented.
Darlington left shortly after the de-
tectiye took his leave, and major
Marston had telephoned a few min
utes later to say that there would be
n special meeting OF the governors Of
the Grill club at l o'clock, to take
action In the matter, Being on the
governing board, Harcourt at once
dressed and started for the club.
Acting upon Carrington's advice he
had said nothing OF the blood found
upon his coat and had carefully avoid
ed any mention OF the knife Fergus
had found. vague sense OF uneasi-
ness had seized him, but he had him
self well in hand and to all outward
appearances at least, he was the same
cold. deliberate figure that fashion
able London had known go intimately
since his succession to the title and
vast holdings OF the Harcourt family.
After the detectives departure
Fergus had carefully removed the tell
tale blood stains from his masters
clothing and Harcourt had personally
placed the dagger safely under LOCK
and key In his study.
Sitting back against the cushions
Of the brougham he thought over the
situation. In spite OF his strange
.ense OF uneasiness he felt relieved
whom he thought OF the aid his po-
s,t,on and wealth would give him In
the battle he might have to light. 10
establish his innocence, IL innocent
he was.
The more he attempted to reason
ont the truth OF the matter the more
ncrplexing every circumstance seemed
to become. A hundred times he asked
b,useIf 80 Il could be possible for him
"a have dealt Towneshend his death
biow. and many times he put the idea
.vav ne too absurd for consideration
Al any rate he meant TO nave NO
stone unturned 20 get at the truth OF
the matter. He firmly resolved tna'
vhatever the outcome might De- nv
would not endeavor to evade the con
seouences IL he became satisfied o.
his own guilt. On the other hand ht
v.s determined TO fight to the finisl
With all the resources at his command
70 satisfy both the world and himsei
that he was not guilty Of this crime
that every circumstance seemed no.
to Ak SO firmly upon him.
Determined to state Ills positio
clearly and frankly before Lis-fello