Sir Donald Randolph. This high-principled champion of
the defrauded, murdered Alice Webster is Pierre's and Paul's
uncompromising pursuer. That any other had set or kept in operation
such tireless shadowings Pierre has no thought. This man can be neither
cajoled nor bribed, yet may soften at frank avowal or direct appeal.

Pierre gives no thought to his own accountings. Through troubled night
he has been thinking about his crazed boy. Suppose it might transpire
that the prison portal swings open and he walks forth into the light of
day a free man, what is there in life for Pierre Lanier? The only ogre
shape whose boding presence for him has terrors is this avenging
"sprite," Paul's growing craze.

Pierre could seek respite in suicide, but not thus might escape a
father's heavy accounting. He has no thought of such evasive shift. In
all the worlds, it seems to Pierre, there is none but he to pity Paul.
But for the irrational hope of in some way ministering to stresses of
this afflicted son, that guilty, wretched parent would, with bared brow
and unflinching front, welcome fate's worst.

Pierre will make a decisive throw of the fateful dice. Calling the
turnkey, he asks for paper and pencil. These are brought. Pierre writes
a brief note to Sir Donald Randolph, handing it open to the surprised
watcher. It is a simple request that Sir Donald come at once to see
Pierre Lanier upon important matters.

Upon reference to superiors the note is sent by special messenger to
Sir Donald's hotel. In a short time Sir Donald Randolph and Pierre
Lanier are holding their first conference.

Knowing the crafty past of this schemer, Sir Donald anticipated some
astute proposition in the Lanier interest. He was ill-prepared for one
so direct and ingenuous.

Without the slightest attempt at preliminary fencing, Pierre says:

"I am run to cover and hopelessly besieged. I have no favors to ask,
except such as may help my poor boy. I defrauded Alice, as you well
know. I am ready to turn over to her estate, or to that of William
Webster, all the proceeds of my embezzlement. The whole thing will
amount in value to about six hundred thousand pounds. Do with me as you
please, but because of my thus making your work easy it would not be
amiss to have a care for Paul's comfort and cure. Except for that
wronged child's good I care not what becomes of me."

To say that Sir Donald was surprised were mild reference to his
amazement. For some momen