He fairly reeled at the gruesome
spectacle, then fumbled with an outstretched hand as he moved
stumblingly until he laid hold on a chair, into which he sank
helplessly. It suddenly smote upon his consciousness that he
felt very old and broken. He marveled dully over the
sensation--it was wholly new to him. Then, soon, from a long way
off, he heard the strident voice of the Inspector remorselessly
continuing in the vile, the impossible accusation.... And that
grotesque accusation was hurled against his only son--the boy
whom he so loved. The thing was monstrous, a thing incredible.
This whole seeming was no more than a chimera of the night, a
phantom of bad dreams, with no truth under it.... Yet, the stern
voice of the official came with a strange semblance of reality.
"Either you killed him," the voice repeated gratingly, "or she
did. Well, then, young man, did she kill him?"
"Good God, no!" Dick shouted, aghast.
"Then, it was you!" Such was the Inspector's summary of the case.
Mary's words came frantically.
Pages:
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340