Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-12
NO. 242
Gales aud Sketehss.
A QUEER CLUE.
IN TWO CHAPTERS.
CONTINUED from yesterday.)

CONTINUED from yesterday.) 8oY
didn't put handouts on him, or any
thing OF that sort and when we got into the
street he saw the fly, round which there
had already gathered at least a score of
boys and girls. who had, l suppose, seen
me 60 in. He looked round and said:
This was very thoughtful of you, Mr..
Robinson; | shall not forget it," We
drove off. and spoke no more until we ar
rived at the town hall. Here the magis-
lrates were sitting, and here found tall,
dark, grave-looklng gentleman talking
very earnestly to Mr.. Wingrave. our chief
solicitor. l soon found this was Mr.. Park.
way, the cousin of the murdered lady. He
was giving instructions to the lawyer to
spare no expense to offer a reward if he
thought it necessary; to have detectives
down from London, and goodness knows
what. Mr.. Wingrave introduced me, and
was kind enough to say that there was no
necessity for detectives to be brought, as
they had so eminent functionary as N.Y.
self in the town.
Itwas supposed that this would be mere-
ly a preliminary examination but it turned
out differently. A few of Lytherly's com
panions-although as it transpired after
ward, they fully believed him guilty
were yet determined he should have
chance. so subscribed guina for old Jem-
my Crotton, the most dsreputable old fell
low in the town, but very clever lawyer
tor all that; and Jenny soon came bust
ling in. He had few minutes converse
ton with Lythery, and then asked that
the hearing might be put off for an hour.
This was, Of curse, granted, and by that
time he had overwhelming evidence to
prove an alibi, for the landlady's son
hadn't slept wink for his toothache, and
he was with Lytherly until dinner time
on Sunday and then the accused went for
a walk with a couple of friends, and did
not return until after dark, having spent
two or three hours at public house some
miles off, as the landlord, who happened
10 be in the town, it bling market-daJ,
helped to prove; the rest of the time he
was in the Bell, as was usual, poor fellow.
There was no getting over this. There
was not shadow OF pretense for remand
ing him, and so-much to Mr.. Parkway's
evident annoyance-Lytherly was dis
charged. lie became more popular than
ever among his associates, although the
respectable people OF the town looked
down upon him, and they had a supper
in his honor that night, at which old Jem-
my Crotton presided. In default of Ly-
thery, no clue could be found. Not q
shilling of Miss Pathways money was
ever discovered in her apartments; 50
her murderer bad got clear away with his
booty. Many wisacres said we should
hear of Lytherly quietly disappearing af-
ter things had settled down. -IaI
Cnra l;ttla awa;tarcapt x.,,. o.octnJ L.,
Lytberly attempting to get into the sole
funeral carriage that attended the hearse;
but MIR. Parkway would not permit such
thing. and was himself the only fol-
lower. 1t was very cler that the stranger,
in common with many others, was not
half satisfied with the explanation which
had secured Lytherly's escape, and as
was on the ground at the funeral, | saw,
as did every body else who was there, the
trown he turned on the young man, who,
in spite OF his rebuff. had gone on foot
to the church-yard. a9 .I,asa... til,s
Mr.. Parkway left that evening, having
placed his business in the hands OF Mr..
Wingrave; Tor as there was no will, be
was the heir at law. Now this was
very curious affair about the will because
Miss Parkway had told her landlady not
many days before, that she had made her
will, and in fact had shown her the doc
ument as it lay neatly tied up, in her
desk. However, it was gone now; and
she had either destroyed it, or the per-
son who had killed her had taken that
as well as the money; and even If the
latter was the case, 1t was hardly likely
to turn up again. tl-- s.b,
So as l have said, Mr.. Parkway went
home. The solicitor realized the poor la
dy's property and all our efforts were in
vain 10 discover the slightest clew to the
guilty party. As for Lytherly, he soon
found it was of no use to think OF remain
ing in Combestead, for guilty or not no
one cared to associate with him and as
he owned to me, the worst part of it all
was that old Crotton, the lawyer, when-
ever they met at any tavern, would laugh
and wink and clap him on the shoulder,
and call upon every one present to re-
member how poor old Jenny Crotten got
his young friend off so cleverly; how they
'tlummoxed" the magistrates and jok-
eyed The peelers. when it was any odds
against his young friend.
So he went; and a great many declared
he had gone off to enjoy his iIi-gotten
pUs he'Sh thouSut ~ anu Ouu
OF my men going to Chatham to identify
a prisoner. saw Lytherly in the uniform
OF the Royal Engineers, and, in fact, had
a glass of ale with him. The young fel-
low said it was his only resource-dig he
could not, and to beg where he was known
would be in vain. He sent his respects
to me, and that was the last we heard for
a long time of the Combestead murder.
CHAPTER III. 4s sf3
had left the police altogether, and was
living very comfortably, my good lady
and |. up at Islington. in the same street
with my married daughter. had always
been of saving turn. and had bought
two or three houses; so with q tidy PEN
sion, which l had earned by 80 years SER
vice. could afford to go about a bit and
enjoy myself. OF course in all that lime
| had made the acquaintance of good
many professional people; and there were
few theatres or exhibitions that l couldn't
get admission to. We-my wife and |.
| mean-made it rule to 60 everywhere
that we could get tickets for; and wheth-
er it was the launch of a ship. the charity