The Twin Detectives; or, The Robbers of the Tomb — page 224: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

’ e THE TWIN DETECTIVES. 2 91 Bo _ Mrs. Hudson looked so pale and agitated that the cler- gyman came forward. ‘“‘T think, madam,” he said, kindly, “it will be beuian to end this extremely painful scene.” «Yes, I suppose so. Can you dismiss the crowd 2” ““T will do so. The marriage cannot take place till all doubt. is cleared up. Your son must attend to this. I will call upon you to-morrow morning, Take your party into the vestry.” Mrs. Hudson led the way, holding Estelle, who had recovered sufficiently to walk. Captain Lyle came next, accompanied by Mrs. Parsons and Madge. They were followed by Bob Brierly and his father, crazy Hetty holding the latter by the arm. Last of all came Charlie Hudson—all the rest of the bridal party had quietly dispersed. Mrs. Hudson sat down. She had grown much calmer. The first person she spoke to was Brierly. ‘<Did you know that you were my son?” «“No, madam. JI had no idea of it.” ‘‘How did you account for,the likeness between your- self and Charlie?” ‘<T could not account for 1t at all.” Charlie now came forward, and said: “Tf you will acknowledge here in the presence of these witnesses that you married my cousin, using my name, and deceiving her into the belief that I was marrying her, this matter shall go no further. But if you persist in denying the truth, I will follow you up and punish you to the full extent of the law.” Bob hesitated a moment. He knew that Charle could prove his guilt, so he made a “‘ virtue of necessity,” and sald, sullenly: «Well, I did it. is Eomicbooks.co