Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-03-20
The Mysterious Monogram
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qualities that lay behind the artificial
surface Of the man.
Harcourt's popularity was not that
of wealth or position. He was re-
garded with genuine affection by
everyone who had opportunity to
know him well, and, in spite of the
strong evidence that seemed to point
to his guilt, not one of them for a
moment suspected that he could pos
sibly have killed Towneshend.
Excitedly they gathered about him,
each seeking for some explanation of
the strange declaration that had
fallen among them like a thunderbolt.
1t was, of course, known that he had
been the last man seen in the room
with the murdered man, and the fact
that he was not then himself was gen.
orally known, yet they found it quite
impossible to believe for a moment
that he could be the guilty man.
Jack, are you dreaming or drunk ?"
Sir Harry Farndale demanded.
Neither, Harry" said Harcourt.
I'm merely paying the penalty of in
dulging in the great family weakness.
AS you know, the Harcourts have all
been too fond of liquor, and centuries
of overindulgence have had their eff
feet on me-"
81 don't understand"
81 simply mean that Pm afraid
liquor has made me disgrace the fam
lily name"
Lord Harcourt, you are nervous
upset" said the Duke, kindly. "You
surely do not realize what you are
saying, and cannot mean it if you do.
advise you to go home and rest for
the. remainder of the day. The thing
is bound to clear itself up before
long"
~ hope So" said Harcourt earnest
ly. II only wish l could feel sanguine
about it."
Just a moment, gentlemen" said
the duke warningly, please remem-
Der our agreement not to repeat any
thing that has been said in this room
or to comment upon what took place
here. We are all understood on the
subject 2"
Tbara ,vac a rouY,,o,,p n, tho aff;,-,,,
ative, and the little throng began to
issue from the room. Sir Thomas
Marston was at Harcourt's side. The
old soldier was pale and haggard. The
strain of the affair had told upon him,
not only because of his regard for his
prospective son-in-law, but because of
the effect the whole occurrence would
be bound to have upon his daughter
Harcourt's fiancee.
"Will you come home with me
now?" he asked, slipping his arm
through Harcourt's. "Grace is very
anxious to see you."
mot yet" Harcourt answered
slowly. Come upstairs with me, I
want to have little talk with you be-
fore go to her. promised to come
at if l could arrange it,"
Leaving the others the two men
ascended the stairs and entered de-
serted card room. Marston closed the
door and touched the electric button
in the wall
CRY a drink, Jack. 1t will brace
you up" the major advised.
Harcourt shook his head. mot
now" he said. II want to think
clearly-and l never can when | get
the stuff in me-"
well I'm for big one" Sir Thorn
as announced. This thing has me all
raggedw
81 don't WONDER" Harcourt said.
"Pd give anything in the world if my
engagement hadn't been announced.
The whole business is bad enough in
any event, but it is crime that
Grace's name should be hauled
through the papers in connection with
it."
Don't think of that side Of it,
Jack" said Sir Thomas. at is un-
pleasant, naturally, and it will be a
great strain for her to bear, but it
does not affect our regard for you in
any way, and if she were your wife
now it would be all the harder for
her"