Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

154 THE ARGOSY. He had said to his wealthy client, after he fintshed his investigation of the robbery, that he was willing to bet his life that Paul was innocent, m sprte of the condemning appearances against him. } But now the real estate agent considered himself obliged to change hrs mind. He could not help believing that Paul Gayland had really been guilty of stealing the money, which he now, through some feeling of remorse, wished to return to its rightful owner. “What more can I do?” asked Phil, surprised at the qualification in the reply of the other. “This appears to be a case of conscience,” replied the agent, still frown- ing heavily in hts disappointment, derived from the honest deed of his visitor. “ You stole the money; but your conscieice, and perhaps the remembrance of what Mr: Gayland has been to you and dorte for you, has compelled you to restore your swag to its rightful owner.” “ T stole the money! ” gasped the wanderer, springing out of his chair, his brown cheeks mantled with cnmson. “ That ts precisely what Mrs. Gayland believes and insists upon, and Mr. Gayland is unable to gainsay the charge; and that is precisely what it looks like to me now, though | have givert your foster father all the hape he has had that you were possibly innocent,” added Mr. Cavan, ristng from his chair algo. “ Did you tell Mr. Gayland that I was innocent of this crime?” asked the wanderer, the tears flooding his eyes. “I told him I believe t you were innocent, and I have thought so till now,” replied the agent, resuming his seat when his guest did so to drop his head upon the table, covering his face witlr both hands and weeping like one with a broken heart. The ex detective looked at the sufferer, and possibly his feelings were moved by the violence of his grief, though it might be the agony of repentance rather than of wounded sensibiltty at the injustice done him. “You were right, Mr. Cavan!” exclaimed the wanderer, springing to his feet again, throwtng back his head, and assuming 4 mafestic air of manhood, which a hero might have exhibited in the hour of his triumph. “I beltteve you!” returned the agent, after he had looked the young man’s face for a moment. He extended his hand to Phil and bestowed a warm pressure on that of his visitor; for after all it is a very great comfort for any one to believe he was right tm the face of conflicting evidence, though he may be mistaken is. the end. “TI never even heard of the robbery antil a few hours ago; and even then it did not occur to me that I was suspected,” said Phil. ‘Perhaps you had better tell me all about the matter, as you understand tt,’ suggested Mr. Cavan. “ I may add that the testimony against you is very strong, and while I believe you are innocent, I do not see how the fact can be established.” “I don’t know anything at all about the robbery, and never pear’ of it till five o’clock this afternoon, and then only by guessing at half of it,” Phil pro- tested. He began his narrative at once, starting it at the trme when he left the GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT