and break the news to my wife and daughter,"
begged the subdued man. "Oh, I beg that one privilege."

The judge looked at Captain Sawyer, who nodded.

"I will send a couple of men up with him, your honor. I understand his
wife is a very estimable lady. It will be a bitter blow to her."

"All right. You will have to go in the custody of the police. But I
will not release you on bail."

Bobbie and the girls had already sped on their way to the happy Barton
home. Trubus, under the watchful eyes of two policemen and with his
lawyer, lost no time in returning to his mansion.

As he rang the bell the butler hurried to the door in a frightened
manner.

"It can't be true, sir, wot the pypers say, can it?" he gasped. But
Trubus forced his way past, followed by the attorney and his two guards.

In the beautiful drawing-room he saw two maids leaning over the
Oriental couch. They were trying to quiet his daughter.

"Why, Sylvia, my child," he cried.

"Oh, oh!" exclaimed the girl, forcing herself free from the restraining
hands of the servants. She laughed shrilly as she staggered toward her
father. Her eyes were wide and staring with the light of madness.
"Here's father! Dear father!"

Trubus paled, but caught her in his arms.

"My poor dear," he began.

"Oh, look, father, what it says in the papers. We missed you--ha,
ha!--and the newsboys sold us this on the street. Look, father,
there's your picture. He, he! And Ralph bought it and brought it to
me."

She staggered and sank half-drooping in his arms. Her head rolled back
and her eyes stared wildly at the ceiling. Her mad laughter rang out
shrilly, piercing the ears of her miserable father. The two policemen
and the lawyer watched the uncanny scene.

"Ha, ha! Ralph read it, and he's gone. He wouldn't marry me now, he
said,--ha, ha! Father! Who cares? Oh, it's so funny!" She broke
from her father's hold and ran into the big dining room, pursued by the
sobbing maids.

"She's gone crazy as a loon," whispered one of the policemen to the
other.

"Where is my wife?" timidly asked Trubus, as he supported himself with
one hand on a table near the door. The frightened butler, with
choleric red face, pointed upward.

Trubus drew himself up and started for the broad stairway.

Just then a revolver shot smote the ears of the excited men. It came
from above.

"Great God!" uttered Trubus, clasping his hand to his heart. He ran
for the stair