to the
house, was a succession of ingenious lies which could not be disproved.
That is my story," concluded Monsieur Dupont. "The next most important
point at the moment is that James Layton is cleared of a charge from
which he could not possibly have saved himself."

"Layton will be released with full honors to-morrow," the inspector
said.

"And I think," added Monsieur Dupont, "that there will be another
matter--not unconnected with a young lady named Jenny West--upon which
we shall have to congratulate him--and with very good reason."

CHAPTER XXXIV

CONCLUSION

Half-an-hour later, when the doctor's statement had been made,
Copplestone and Mrs. Astley-Rolfe stood together in the flower-laden
garden.

"My dear," said the new man, "I brought you here to witness my
deliverance. Yesterday, when you had left me, I made up my mind to put
an end to my life. To-day I am free. The cloud has rolled away. I am fit
to keep my promise--if you wish it kept."

She smiled up at him through happy tears.

"If I wish it kept!" she whispered.

"By Jove!" Copplestone exclaimed, "I believe in every miracle that has
ever been reported, suggested, or hinted at, from the first hour of the
world!"

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CROOKED HOUSE***

******* This file should be named 22820.txt or 22820.zip *******

This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/2/8/2/22820

Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
will be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules,
set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project
Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you
do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
practically ANYTHING with publi