looging den mosd
mens."

At appointed time Oswald enters the hotel and sends up his card. An
invitation to call at the Randolph rooms promptly follows. Conducted
there, he is admitted.

The gracious, kindly greetings do much to relieve his embarrassment, but
Oswald knows that a frank statement should be made, as preliminary to
any further courtesies. On his part have been many strange acts. This is
a fateful emergency, but he will meet it manfully and without
dissimulation or deceit.

His opening is characteristic.

"My conduct has been inconsistent and contradictory, unsatisfactory to
myself, and, I have often suspected, cowardly, yet there was no
consciousness at any time of intentionally having wronged any human
being."

Esther's quick sympathies prompt the reply:

"Father and I both believe you innocent, Mr. Langdon!"

This burst of compassionate confidence pleases yet slightly disconcerts
Oswald.

Giving his daughter a look of mildest remonstrance, Sir Donald mutely
invites Oswald to continue.

Looking into the loyally expressive eyes of Esther, Oswald says:

"Often I have longed for a chance to explain to you both my strange
conduct, but many things prevented. Every succeeding act in the whole
miserable series made telling harder. I saw Miss Randolph yesterday, but
pretended not to recognize her, fearing the result of being identified."

"But you ought not to have doubted us, Mr. Langdon!"

Not knowing just how to explain this unwarranted, agnostic caprice,
Oswald discreetly proceeds with his general line of defense.

"After meeting Miss Randolph yesterday, and through fear of being known,
so rudely passing her by, I felt an impulse to go back, apologize, and
tell the whole story, but was restrained by motives which were honest,
but difficult to understand. Hard as it was to know that friends were
within easy reach who could explain much I longed to hear, and possibly
aid me to clear a horrible mystery, yet I determined to continue as
before, until the Langdon name bears no stain."

"But, Mr. Langdon, your family name is stainless!"

Sympathizing with this earnest youth trying so hard to explain apparent
misconduct, yet hedging against unfavorable impressions until all be
told, nervously amplifying preliminaries through evident dread of more
startling revelations, Sir Donald refrained from comment.

After other preambles, seconded by Esther's eager sympathy and by Sir
Donald's grave, kindly r