To his clingingly
audacious supplications in behalf of the crazed Paul, Pierre had heard
an imperious voice whisper:

"Do equity!"

Pierre is not quite sure that this is a divinely stated "condition
precedent," but will treat it as such.

With gropingly tenacious faith he stumbles toward this hinted
adjudication. Without suspicion of selfish motive or accepted personal
benefit, Pierre will keep his part of the solemn pact.

"Paul is not to blame!" That awful inherited taint and a father's
dominating, all-consuming greed!

These are at least mitigating claims.

Who may contest Paul's right "before the face of the Most High"?

Paul seems improving. Pierre is elated. That shriveled heart pulses with
new hope. He even presumes to thank heaven for covenant fealty. With
consummate audacity Pierre now hopes there may be found some
"extenuating circumstances" in his own case.

Soon after the nuptials Sir Donald meets Pierre Lanier in London and
tells him of the marriage ceremonies. Pierre turns pale, stares, and
sinks upon the floor of his room. Sir Donald supports the trembling
form. The romantic coincidences are partly related. Pierre smiles
hopefully. Sir Donald invites him to confirm the queer story by a visit
to Northfield, but Pierre is fully convinced.

"Then Paul did not kill them! My boy is innocent! Excuse me, please; now
I will go to the asylum."

Sir Donald and Thomas Webster return to Northfield. Neither newly
married couple took a wedding journey. The four had planned spending
their honeymoons at Paris. Just before the nuptials, in presence of that
little autocrat now nearing the ripe age of five years, Sir Donald is
speaking about some objects of interest to be visited by these
travelers. Bessie begins to cry, and clinging to Esther's hand, says:

"Stay here with me and papa!"

There is instant approval. Oswald says, "Why not?" Sir Donald and Uncle
Thomas both declare in favor of the change; Alice joyously assents;
Charles announces his cheerful acquiescence; Esther kisses Bessie and is
smilingly content.

Uncle Thomas tells about meeting Mr. and Mrs. Dodge while at Calcutta.
When William Dodge was released from custody he accepted a lucrative
position obtained for him by Thomas Webster, and promised when required
to testify about the Lanier conspiracy against Alice. This
weak-principled man still retained the position, and was waiting to
comply with his agreement.

That assistant sleuth who h