One of My Sons

the other, Leighton drew back without offering assistance to the one or rebuke to the other. Secondly, that

words were forbidden between these members of a disrupted household, till the police had fini

tay in this overturning of every other natural support, asked me in agitated tones if I thought her cousins would be subjected to personal search. As no other course was open to the police after the direct

her thoughts, offered his pers

pockets, if you wish. You will find nothing

ght a sudden glimpse of George, quivering under the restraining hands of Dr. Bennett and Sw

ncriminating on me than on him; probably less, for my pockets are always open-while his--" A gnash of his teeth finished these almo

of these open accusations, the coroner felt himself relieved from the embarrassment

aused as these words left the coroner's lips, and, yielding to the terrible fascination of the moment, caught my arm, and clinging thus with both hands, turned her eye

out the spectacle she could no longer confront. Nor was it easy for me to look

of the superior sensitiveness of his nature, or because he shrunk with a proud man's shame from the publicity entailed upon the anomalous articles which were drawn from his inner pockets? When some few minutes later my eyes fell on these objects lying piled on the library table, I marvelled over the character

een found on any of

which was now being extended to all parts of the house. As I saw these men pass so quietly but with such an air of authority into rooms where a few hours before they would have hesitated to put foot even upon the genial owner's express invitat

nue the summ

ic, I could not refrain from asking why he was allowed to separate himself from the others, and was much moved at bein

struck me as the most pathetic exhibition of self-control I had ever known; and more than once during the busy hour that followed, I was visited by fleeting visions of this silent man, sit

hat quarter. At the same time two more returned from above with a similar report in regard to the sleeping-rooms of the three brothers. Sweetwater and Gryce, who had spent the last half-hour in the dining-room, appeared to have an equally unsatisfactory tale to tell, and I was wonder

ore than passing admiration unnerved me to such an extent that I w

found upon this scene of crime. It is needless to say that we have the utmost confidence in your integrity, but you were here when Mr. Gillespie d

n of Mr. Gillespie who had not been on the sce

at he exacted this thorough search in order to fix the crime on Leighton. For if the phial was not to be found anywhere in the house, the necessary con

n smashed on the sidewalk or thrown into some refuse barrel. But that would be the unwisest thing a guilty man could d

as whisperin

cannot have you disturb the child. Used as I am to the subterfuges of criminals I find it im

?" the insidious

r pass it over to the child. No, no! curb your extravagances and confine your at

ng-room door was disturbed an

how kindness to a man he did not know, in an extremity he did not understand. Search me; search Claire; b

e heaped-up excitements of the last two

why I care so much," she murmured in fresh expos

was moved, for the coroner looked distressed, though he gave no signs of modifying his intention, and I was beginning to empty my pockets before his eyes, when Sweetwater's expressive countenance showed a sud

hen I first came in that the

s. Under it, tucked away in the space allowed to the pendulum, we saw a small hom?opathic bottle. There was one drop of liq

ad held the deadl