XXIII

THE CONFESSION


Dorgan was putting up a bold fight, at any rate. Everyone, and
most of all his opponents who had once thought they had him on the
run, was forced to admit that. Moreover, one could not help
wondering at his audacity, whatever might be the opinion of his
dishonesty.

But I was quite as much struck by the nerve of Carton. In the face
of gathering misfortunes many a man of less stern mettle might
have gone to pieces. Not so with the fighting District Attorney.
It seemed to spur him on to greater efforts.

It was a titanic struggle, this between Carton and Dorgan, and had
reached the point where quarter was given or asked by neither.

Kennedy had retired to his laboratory with the photographs and was
studying them with an increasing interest.

It was toward the close of the afternoon when the telephone rang
and Kennedy motioned to me to answer it.

"If it's Carton," he said quickly, "tell him I'm not here. I'm not