Helen Vardons Confession: Classic Detective Story of “Dr. Thornedyke”

Helen Vardon's Confession begins when she accidentally overhears her farther speaking with one Mr. Otway, an older gentleman, dealer in precious stones who may have other occupations as well. It seems that Helen's father is an attorney and is holding money in trust for another party. The money is needed now, but Vardon is unable to produce it. Otway blackmails Vardon, and tells him that if he can't produce the money he'll have to go to the police and there will most definitely be a fraud case pending. However, if Vardon will let Otway marry Vardon's young daughter Helen, then he (Otway) will hand over the money and the whole incident will be hushed up. Helen panics and decides that she would rather marry Mr. Otway than to see her father the object of a scandal or worse. After the wedding (which has taken place without her father's knowledge), Otway is visited by Vardon, and again Helen overhears their conversation -- but at the end of that visit, her father is dead.