and seeing his captors, became furious. Then beholding Pierre
ironed and helpless, Paul burst out in a hysterical laugh, which was
followed by frantic appeals for protection against his father's imagined
wrath. Both were taken to prison.

"For various reasons Uncle Thomas then had procured the arrests. As news
of that Northfield murder came through his agents, it was his duty to
inform the proper officials. For months he and his employes had shadowed
both Laniers, witnessing Paul's crazed acts, and it was known that they
had done this. These assistants were in the immediate neighborhood of
Northfield when this murder occurred. It would be inquired, why such
continued shadowings, yet failure to prevent this crime? The whole
matter would be thoroughly probed. This murder could not be concealed
without guilty responsibility. Proof of Oswald Langdon's death was not
conclusive. It never might be clearer with Paul hung or in a madhouse.
If we had taken proper action to restrain this madman, the murder never
would have occurred. Better to take decisive steps and assist the
officers than appear to condone crime. All we had planned and worked
for would fare better through prompt procedure. Possibly out of this
very tangle might come clearance of the unhappy, troubled past.

"Such motives prompted Uncle Thomas to decisive action in procuring
these second arrests of Pierre and Paul Lanier.

"Just how or when my part in this drama is to be revealed neither Uncle
Thomas nor I yet have decided. I greatly dread the trial.

"At times I seem standing, dizzy, bewildered, and speechless, upon the
brink of a yawning chasm. Then appears a light beyond, beckoning me to
try the plunge.

"Occasionally, in day-dreams, a hand, not spectral, but inspiringly real
and familiar, seems drawing me toward new earthly life and joy; but such
fancies are fleeting. The old dread of social ostracism and of
suspicious aversion returns with increased power. I have no
consciousness of wrong-doing, yet maidenly ideals have been shocked by
my conduct, and the place for Alice Webster is outside the pale of
social recognition.

"Afternoon of the day upon which occurred the arrests Uncle Thomas
decided again to move. To show no attempt at privacy, we returned to the
hotel. Both of us were surprised to see your family in the dining-room.

"Uncle Thomas could act unconcerned under any circumstances, but I felt
so helplessly embarrassed. As you and Esther look