Bob Younger's Fate — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

BOB YOUNGER'S FATE. i1 “T know it, yet he was innocent, for all that.” _ ‘You mean to insinuate that he has been the vic- | tim of foul play?’’ “Hxactly.”’ ‘“Now we are getting at the root of the matter, - Miss Ferry. Have you any suspicion as to the guilty party ?”’ “T have. Do you know Julian Stark?’’ The detective snmled. “He is the man, then?’’ ‘‘He is. Previous to my departure for Europe, six months ago, | warned Theo Howard to beware of him. I have a strong suspicion that he is the guilty man.’’ ‘“Most people would laugh at such a charge.”’ ‘And you smile.” “T certainly do. The idea is absurd.”’ “Yet you are a detective.”’ Belton colored. | “Of course one may be mistaken. You may be in a position to know something of Stark’s history and character. .1 am speaking only from hearsay when _ I assert that your suspicion is an absurd one. Heis widely respected. How do you know he has done anything criminal?’’ | ‘“T don’t know, for direct proof is wanting, yet my woman’s instinct tells me he is guilty.” Unfortunately, instinct doesn’t go far in a court of justice.’’ “Tam aware of that, but itis a guide that often leads to conviction or acouittal. y ‘“Wnlighten me in regard to the matter.’ “My woman’s wit tells me that he is an unprinci- pled man. He was Theo Howard’s most intimate friend. The former is a suspicion, the latter a fact, m (EOLA MICE ,00 <a ele)