eserve, Oswald tells all.

There was no attempt to palliate a single inconsistency or to deny one
dubious act. Anticipating surprise at numerous apparently weak
performances, he neither minimized nor evaded, urging, however:

"My flight was responsible for all subsequent acts. My own judgment and
conscience did not always approve these actions, neither did they
condemn them. These eccentric courses were unhappy, immature shifts,
concerning which I was never at ease. You have heard all, and I hope
will not unduly censure."

With flushed cheeks, Esther inquiringly looked at her father, who during
the whole recital had not spoken.

Deliberately rising, Sir Donald took Oswald's hand, and looking into
those unflinching eyes, said:

"Mr. Langdon, I believe you fully and censure nothing. Possibly at times
you may have acted indiscreetly, but of this I have doubts."

Here Esther, with happy, beaming face, extended her hand, and Oswald
listened to congratulations, mutely acknowledging his great sense of
happiness.

Placed in proper light before these friends, he soon asks about father
and mother.

Neither Sir Donald nor Esther had heard anything of Oswald's parents.

Oswald again experiences some unaccountable feeling. It is now growing
late, and he rises to go. Promising to call upon the following evening,
the young man passes out into the moonlight and soon reaches his hotel.

Oswald is desirous to hear more of the Thames tragedy. At his next call
this matter is discussed quite fully.

The failure of Oswald and Alice to return from night row on the Thames;
search for them next day; finding of his hat and her handkerchief;
comments of London press; persecutions of detectives; persistent
impertinence of reporters; trip of Sir Donald and Esther to Paris;
sailing of father and daughter for Calcutta; attempts to locate Mrs.
Dodge; being shadowed by strangely disguised man, with all pertaining
incidents; visits to poor family, and clew thereby obtained; call upon
Mrs. Dodge, her statement, and matters culminating in arrest of the
three conspirators; queer, unwarranted proceedings of Calcutta officials
in detention without warrant, charge, or arraignment of three men,
resulting in discharge of the Laniers and continued imprisonment of
William Dodge--all were graphically narrated by Sir Donald.

Oswald asks many questions as to matters that have puzzled his mind
while pondering over this tangled web. Some of these are cl