ail were such crimes? To what end was that
subservient tool suborned, and afterward, with trusting wife,
murderously assaulted in deserted Calcutta suburb?

"That these should be followed by such terribly harassing flights,
culminating in purposeless return to London, Paul's dreadful disorder
and present helpless mazes seems direct sentence execution upon Pierre
Lanier. Are not all these fateful perversities cumulative wrath upon my
own guilty head?

"Such remorseless avenging!"

It seems to Pierre Lanier that Nemesis has found the most susceptible
joint in his conscious being, and with relentless persistence is testing
its capacity for torture.

Attempts at stoical endurance are but briefly availing. The dreadful
presence of Paul's craze will not avaunt. This haunting incarnation of
Lanier guilt and accounting shifts its boding menace but to appear more
real at each altered view.

Helpless to provide against any of the dreaded contingents hedging them
about, Pierre's whole care is absorbed in avoiding Paul's capricious
displeasure. He studies his son's crazed peculiarities. Childhood
memories seem to exert most potent control over Paul's unfilial
tendencies. However, such influences are uncertain, partaking of
childish perverseness.

Since that time when Pierre learned his son's horrible Thames
infatuation, he had not spied upon Paul's night vigils. Months have
dragged their slow tortures.

At length there is a variation in daily worries at the Lanier room. Paul
is missing. In fearful suspense the startled father waits all the first
day and night. Doubtless Paul has made some bad break. Perhaps this
insane boy has committed an assault on some real or imaginary foe.
Possibly he is in need or in custody!

Pierre waits until the second morning, then, thoroughly disguised, goes
out to look for Paul. Up and down the Thames, from the boathouse to a
point miles above the rustic seat, this search is continued that day and
the following night without avail. Guarded inquiry at police
headquarters fails to disclose any clew.

Pierre's anxiety becomes so great that he relaxes habitual craft of a
lifetime in his solicitude for Paul's safety. Pierre sees this poor,
helpless, disordered child in want, bruised, and bleeding, calling in
vain for his father's help. Paul is a little, trusting, crying, helpless
lad again, but without that father's providing or protecting care.

Just before day of the fourth night after Paul's