story of the murder of Whyte may be known, and that any one who may
hereafter be accused of the murder may not be wrongfully punished. I
have no hopes of Moreland ever receiving the penalty of his crime, as
when this is opened all trace of him will, no doubt, be lost. I will
not destroy the marriage certificate, but place it with these papers,
so that the truth of my story can be seen. In conclusion, I would ask
forgiveness of my daughter Margaret for my sins, which have been
visited on her, but she can see for herself that circumstances were too
strong for me. May she forgive me, as I hope God in His infinite mercy
will, and may she come sometimes and pray over my grave, nor think too
hardly upon her dead father."
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE HANDS OF JUSTICE.
Calton's voice faltered a little when he read those last sad words, and
he laid the manuscript down on the table, amid a dead silence, which
was first broken by Brian.
"Thank God," he said, reverently, "thank God that he was innocent of
the crime!"
"No," said Calton, a little cynically, "the riddle which has perplexed
us so long is read, and the Sphinx is silent for evermore."
"I knew he was incapable of such a thing," cried Chinston, whom emotion
had hitherto kept silent.
Meanwhile Kilsip listened to these eulogistic remarks on the dead man,
and purred to himself, in a satisfied sort of way, like a cat who has
caught a mouse.
"You see, sir," he said, addressing the barrister, "I was right after
all."
"Yes," answered Calton, frankly, "I acknowledge my defeat, but now--"
"I'm going to arrest Moreland right off," said Kilsip.
There was a silence for a few moments, and then Calton spoke again.
"I suppose it must be so--poor girl--poor girl."
"I'm very sorry for the young lady myself," said the detective in his
soft, low voice; "but you see I cannot let a dangerous criminal escape
for a mere matter of sentiment."
"Of course not," said Fitzgerald, sharply. "Moreland must be arrested
right off."
"But he will confess everything," said Calton, angrily, "and then
everyone will know about this first marriage."
"Let them," retorted Brian, bitterly. "As soon as she is well enough we
will marry at once, and leave Australia for ever."
"But--"
"I know her better than you do," said the young man, doggedly; "and I
know she would like an end made of this whole miserable business at
once. Arrest the murderer, and let him suffer for his crime."
"Well, I suppose it must be so," said Chinston, with a sigh, "but it
seems very hard that this slur should be cast upon Miss Frettlby."
Brian turned a little pale.
"The sins of the father are generally visited upon the children by the
world," he said bitterly. "But after the first pain is over, in new
lands among new faces, she will forget the bitter past."
"Now that it is settled Moreland is to be arrested," said Calton, "how
is it to be done? Is he still in Melbourne?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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