Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-21

that night. Mr.. Friedricson is to come
again to-day: but the nurse thinks II
would be madness to attempt TO extract
the bullet while he is in this state. do not
believe these people have any hope OF saw
ing him.
ooh, mother, we must save him. God
win answer our prayers cried Grace.
aLet us pray for that dear life together,
side by side, with heart, and strength, and
mind. Surely God must hear and answer
such prayers."
In the library Mr.. Penwern, a homely
looking, middle-aged mon, with pepper
and-salt hair and whiskers, and pepper.
and-salt clothing to match, was listening
and questioning, and making notes, until
he had the story of Sir Allan's wound, so
far as it was known TO Miss Darnel and
Col Stukely, all in black and white be-
fore him. Then he went up to see the
room in which the catastrophe happened,
and, moving TO and fro, quietly, lest he
should disturb the patient in the adJoln-
ing room, he made complete inspection
of the ground Here was the spot, just in
side the threshold, where Sir Allan was
found lying There were stains OF blood
upon the Aubusson carpet to mark the
the coming of the doctor He had clutched
the portiere as he fell, for the first three or
four hooks that sustained it were wrenched
from the brass rod. There was Lady OAR
nels writing desk. She had been sitting
there writing ten minutes before she
heard the pistol from the corridor outside.
There were the two French windows OPEN
ing on to the balcony.
Was either of these windows open on the
night? Yes, one was open. The colonel
remembered the wind blowing in his face
as he came in at the door.
MIR. Penwern stepped out upon the bal
cony and made his survey. 1t was q
broad, old-fashioned balcony, roofing in
colonnade outside the breakfast-room be-
low. The pilasters of the colonnade were
covered with greenery-a mighty weSteria
spread itself along the ironwork like q
curtain, an old magnolia was trained over
one side of the balcony. Easy enough for
an active maa to reach such balcony.
No difficulty as to access. The next ques-
ton to DO considered was motive.
ANY valuables kept al this end of the
housef' asked the detective.
Lady Darnel has some jewelry in her
dressing-room," answered Dora, but Lady
Darnels are not family jewels, not of suf-
ficient renown to tempt thief, l should
think"
Thieves are easily tempted nowadays"
answered Penwern. The trade is over
run and business is often very slack. It
seems to me that this balcony is about the
easiest access all along this side of the
house, and the point at which any man
would naturally enter"
But with this room occupied; with
lamps burning?" suggested Dora, incred-
ulously.
"The room had been deserted some min
utes before the shot was fred. A man
might have been on the watch for this op-
portunity."
Surely he would have waited till Lady
Darnel had gone to bed; till the house
was dark. That seems only reasonable"
said Dora.
1T seems reasonable but there is
the fact that the shot was fired,
and there is the antecedent that
Sir Allan got up and came to that door
yonder. take it that he heard a strange
footstep in this room and that he came in
just in time to surprise the burglar Are
you sure that there were no yaluableS in
this very ro0ms"
"Quite sure" answered Dora at is Lady
Darnel's boudoir. There has never been
anything kept here except her work boxes
Willingness, and books, just as you see
them now"
The detective had devoured the room
with his eyes. He knew every article it
contained.
"In that Italian cabinet, for instance, are
no vauables - trinkets, money - kept
there?' he asked
Nothing of the kind, to my knowledge.n
Stay" exclaimed the colonel "Sir AL
Ian told US that he had drawn 94O0 in bank
notes for travelling expenses. How do we
know that he did not keep the money in
this room-in that cabinet, perhaps? saw
him put away lease in that very cabinet
fortnight ago when was here with him
and Lady Darnel at afternoon tea"
Lady Darnel would be the most likely
person to enlighten us, take it," said the
detective, who thirsted to see Lady Darnel.
Until he had scrutinized and taken stock
of every member of the family and house.
hold it was to Mr.. Penwern as if he were
playing a difficult game of cards blind
folded. When he had seen all his cards he
would begin to understand what game he
had to play.
After few minutes whispered con-
versation with the colonel Dora went in
quest of Lady Darnel
She found Glare Darnel sitting by her
neglected fire, just as Grace had left her.
There is a person here trying to find
out the mystery of my brothers wound"
she said. CURLY. He wants to ask you a
few questions
Glare started suddenly to her feet That
marble face of hers could not grow paler
than it had been, but there was a fright
ened look in her eyes which Dora was
quick to perceive.
what kind of personS" she asked; "a
police officer?'
He comes from Scotland Yard"
Lady Darnel made no further remark.
They went in silence to the morning room.
where Mr.. Penwern was standing in front
of the window, looking out, while the
colonel fidgeted about the cold blank
hearth.
The detective turned as Lady Darnel en-
tered, saluted her respectfully, and looked
at her with grave eyes which absorbed
every detail of her appearance, without
the faintest indication of eagerness or
curiosity.
CONTINUED NonddV, Sept. 27.J
" w Bit is quite true that you car
get bottle of that splendid medical disoor