Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-20
cd here Us soivs mystery. ma not
70 arrest : criminal. In fact. 4 have
not proved that Mr.. Archer = the
criminal. but ] think no a doubts

st Is his confession" said Anne, IN
q low voice.. as she took the letter
from Beth. II felt SUR OF It all the
time: Raymond, Will you read II :
81 was touched at the confidence she
showed in me-. ana, taking the letter,
I opened It. It bore no address and
began abruptly thus:
''This Is not q confession, but an
explanation OF why I killed David
Van Wyck: I know now that Flem-i
ing Stones penetration will discover
the secret passage. which Mr.. Van
Wyck himself explained to me q Few
days before his death. And 30 I am
going away--not fleeing from Justice.
but because I do not look upon my
self as a criminal. I killed Mr.. Van
Wyck. not in self-defense, but in de-i
myself. Last Friday night, after hav-
ing gone to my room ut eleven
o'clock, I came downstairs again
about midnight, with no intent other
than a stroll on the terrace. I had
been there but a. few m,oments when
Mr.. Van 'Wyck Joined me. 1 do not
wish to repeat his convaaAtion, but I
realized what a vicious. cruel, and
wen diabolical husband he was to the
woman I adored. I speak frankly Of
this alteration. for 1t Is no secret.
David Van Wyck talked Of his wife
in q way that made my blood boil.
and I was about to tell him so when,
his attention attracted by q sound in
the study, he beckoned to me. and we
looked in at the window. Mrs. Van
Wyck was taking the pearls from the
safe. As we watched. she carried
them from the room, closing the door
behind her. David Van Wyck drew
me into the study with him. and ex-
claimed in iendish glee, Now I have
her where l want her! / shall de-
nounce her us a thief, and see If she
will then be 30 high and nAghty to-
ward me!'sI begged him not to do
this. whereupon he accused me Of he
ing in love, with his wife. and made
other wicked assertions that I could
not stand. He repeated his intention
to give away all his money. to get
Anne as a thief; and he became. I
really think, momentarily insane in
his rage. Possibly I too lost my
mind, but I snatched up the bill -f1le,
tore Oft the papers, and stabbed him
In a moment of white-hot anger. I
carefully locked up the study, hoping
the deed insight thus be an insoluble
mystery. I left the room by the secret
exit, which leads directly to the cup
board in the adjoining my
bedroom. 1t was through this panel
II had disappeared the night Sturgis
looked for me. ] went back to the
study to see If I had left behinil me
any incriminating evidence. I found
Mrs. Van Wyck's presence in the
study, by scraps Of tissue paper, /
have no doubt he will in some wa
trace mine.
"As to my act will not call it a
crtme-I do not regret it. / have
saved Mrs. Van Wyck from the cruel
ties Of a monster, and I am glad Of it.
But I refuse to pay the penalty for
this. and, so I shall disappear forever
from the country. I could not do
this IL I thought I could ever win my
hearts desire. But I know. Anne,
that In the after years you will find
joy and peace with a man who is
worthy Of your regard. though 1t
pierces my heart to admit it. But
even If through crime. Anne, I have
saved you from the further despotism
and insults Of a brute; and the
knowledge of that is my reward.
"Condron Archer"
I finished reading, and there was q
death-like silence. I think not one in
the oom wished to prosecute Archer;
I think each heart was praying that
Markham might not find him.
II told MI. Markham, to detain Mr.
Archer II he found him." said Elem
ing Stone slowly. II fear that I re-
greet doing So" VA
HE won't find him." said Anne.
and as II in proof Of her words, Mr.,
Markham came in. :.
"Mr. Archer has disappeared" he
said. II thought he might go by
train. and I waited at the station, but
he didn't. Do you want him very
much ?"
NO" said Anne. swe don't want
him at all. Don't look for him any
more, Mr.. Markham" And then, as
the tears flooded her eyes. she turned
to me. and, putting her trembling
hand through my ARM, she let me
lead her out into the sunlight.
There was no more mystery. The
secret Of the cartouche explained all
The two Carstairs were dismissed
from the Van Wyck service without
punishment. For Anne never knew
OF the villainous note that had. been
written to bring trouble to her.
We v saw Archer again; and
between Anne and myself his name
has never been spoken.
Buttonwood Terrace was sold. and
the family separated. Morland wen,
to the city to live, and Barbara went
for a trip abroad, with Mrs. Stelton
But they may wander where they will
1T matters not to me; for after q
time. Anne is going to crown my life
with happiness, and I.well know !
shall want anybody but Anne.
THE END.