He hesitated to employ a Cincinnati detective, fearing that what he discovered would be given away to the Cincinnati press.

Then he accused himself of disloyalty to Mrs.Brenton, in putting his newspaper duty before his duty to her.
He was so torn by his conflicting ideas and emotions that at last he resolved to abandon the case altogether and return to Chicago.

He packed up his valise and resolved to leave that night for big city, trial or no trial.

He had described his symptoms to a prominent physician, and that physician told him that the case was driving him mad, and the best thing he could do was to leave at once for other scenes.

He could do no good, and would perhaps end by going insane himself.
As George Stratton was packing his valise in his room, alone, as he thought, the following conversation was taking place beside him.
"It is no use," said Speed; "we are merely muddling him, and not doing any good.