But that was impossible, since Mrs.Bolton habitually took more liquor than was good for her, and would not have the nerve to deliver the jewel, much less commit the crime, the more especially as the victim was her own son.

Of course she might have found out Sidney's scheme to run away with the jewels, and so would have claimed her share.

But if she had been in Pierside on that evening--and her presence in Gartley had been sworn to by three or four cronies--she would have guessed who had strangled her boy.

If so, not all the jewels in the world would have prevented her denouncing the criminal.

With all her faults--and they were many--Mrs.Bolton was a good mother, and looked upon Sidney as the pride and joy of her somewhat dissipated life.
Mrs.Bolton was certainly as innocent as Mrs.Jasher.
There remained Hervey.