And the news telephoned from Jersey City, by the fleeting magic
voice on the wire. Even his iron composure was stirred by this
weird complication.
"I wonder!" he murmured. He had ample reason to wonder.
CHAPTER III
THE INNOCENT BYSTANDER
"Well, Mr. Shirley, your coming here was a Godsend! I don't know
what to do now. The newspapers will get this surely. I depended
on Cronin: he must have been drinking."
Shirley shook his head, as he explained, "I know Cronin's
reputation, for I was a police reporter. He is a sterling man.
There's foul work here which extends beyond your father's case.
But we are wasting time. Why don't you introduce me to your
physician? Just tell him about Cronin, and that you have
confided in me completely."
Van Cleft went upstairs without a word. Unused to any worry,
always able to pay others for the execution of necessary details,
this young man was a victim of the system which had engulfed his
unfortunate sire in the maelstrom of reckless pleasure.
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