Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-28

sion that his talents in the detective line
were inferior to those of the professional
INQUIRER. Indeed, it seemed TO aim that
his education and experience must DE more
than a match for the technical training OF
Scotland Yard He argued, therefore,
that the young Frenchman had got clear
off. and that he had nothing to fear for MS
beloved god-daughter.
The O'Clock dinner was dismal func-
ton. Lady Darnel still kept her room.
Miss Darnel sat in her brothers place ana
went through the ceremonial with a 1ortl-
tude which savored of martyrdom. trace
edged her chair as close as she could To
the colonel's, ate hardly anything, and
was curiously absent-minded, looking up
at her godfather every now and then with
a little appealing glance which Went
straight to his heart smiling to herseH
now and then, as she looked down at her
plate. with a strange shy smile, and at one
stage of the entertainment suddenly burst
ing suddenly into tears.
MY dear Grace, if you cannot command
yourself better than this, You should fol-
low Lady Darnels example, and hloe
yourself from the light of day." remon-
strated her aunt.
Let her cry" said the colonel, patting
the girls shoulder affectionately. Tears
are relief, and why should she repress
the signs of her grief. There is no secret
about her sorrow. We are all of the same
mind"
The colonel had no inclination to SIT
alone over his claret He left the dining
room with Miss Darnel and her niece. In
the hall Grace put her arm through his.
"Come on the terrace for a little walk"
she said
any dear Grace there is no moon, and
it is very cold" urged Dora. What pleas
ure can there be in walking on the terrace
on such night?"
mo pleasure. l do not expect pleasure,
but must have air am sitting for want
of air."
Il should have thought you had air
enough this afternoon when you were tear
ing about the grounds with Mr.. Colches-
ter" retorted her aunt, sharply.
"Will you come, godpapa," asked Grace,
ignoring the reproof. you don't mind
walking up and down the terrace with me
for quarter of an hour, even if 1t ID dark
and cold:"
Il shall like it very much, if you put on
your jacket"
Grace ran upstairs, obtained the latest
bulletin of her fathers condition-always
the same hopeless report-and came down
in her sealskin jacket. In another minute
she and the colonel were out of doors, and
beyond the searching eye and keen ear OF
of Dora
ANY news?" asked Grace, excitedly,
hanging on the colonel's arm.
Not a word. / believe that unlucky
young fellow has got clear off, and you
may wash your hands of him and his
fate"
Il can not do that" said Grace, gloomily;
II am under promise"
"No promise can hold good with a
criminal" answered the colonel.
"A criminal! In heavens name, what do
you mean|
Il mean that a detective has been at
Darnel this morning, and that he has dis
covered the footprints of stranger
across the 1ower-beds, just such foot
prints as would be made by that wretched
down-at-heel creature we saw on the COM
mon. There was a considerable sum Of
money stolen out of Lady Darnel's morn
ing room, money which we all know to
have been there on the night your father
was shot. 1t is clear to the man from
Scotland Yard that Sir Allan was wounded
by a stranger who entered that room and
stole that money. Now, my reading of
the story is, that this Camillac was hang
ing about the house on that night, in the
hope of getting an interview with you,
that he was on the balcony for some time,
saw the money put away, and took
advantage of Lady Darnel's leaving the
room to enter and possess himself of that
money. He was surprised by your father,
and turned upon HMM the manner we
know"
mo, no; it is too horrible! The man
once loved, the man l promised to marry
"a midnight robber-a murderer! 1t can
not be- protested Grace. Surely am
not an utter fool know that man was a
gentleman by birth, gentleman by
education and breeding"
"Gentlemen drift to the gutter; gentle
men join the criminal classes every day in
the year, my poor Grace" said the colonel,
gravely. Il do not suppose for moment
that you would mistake cad for a gentle
man; but there is such thing as a reckless
man gone thoroughly to the bad, and I'm
afraid your Victor de Camillac is lust
such one. All that we can hope is that
he has got clear off, and that your dear
fathers wound may not prove fatal"
Fatal! o, God, if it were, 1 should be
my fathers murderer-for it was my folly
that brought that man to this house. Oh,
why should so trivial sin bring such
terrible punishment If my father were
to die | should never lift up my head
again. should pray God to end my days.
never, never could know peace of mind
any more!"
Continued Mondau, Oct. A.