Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-01-01


Minister By permission Francis staid
with me at Aunt James house, and
learning that he was in trouble the two
fld ladies made much Of him. We saw
Inc inspector Of police, who was o
friend Of mine. and learned that the
body Of Felix Briarfeld was at the
uorgue Of Marshminster The inquest
was to be held next morning. and all
arrangements had teen made When
the inspector had supplied US with this
information, we sat down and told him
the whole story as has been here set
forth He listened with much astonish.
.ucut and expressed himself to that end.
II never read novel to touch this, :"
Sc said, staring nt Francis. Truth Is
stranger than fiction, after all You
greatly resemble your unhappy brother.
Mr.. Briarfield" F"
Is the body much decomposed?" ask.
ed |. seeing that Francis remained 81
lent
IT'S recognizable only, 4" replied the
inspector. You acted very foolishly in
this matter. both of you. Why did you
not come and tell mo about it all at
oncc!'
II was afraid Of being accused Of
killing my brother" said Francis
family.
."You've made it ten times worse
now. p" said the inspector dryly. Had
you wished to damn yourself, you could
not have gone to work in more pig
headed fashion. F"
Are you going 10 arrest me!
mo There is not sufficient evidence
against you Besides quite believe
your story Still, added he, with some
hesitation, you have to face the coro-
ncr tomorrow. He may not believe you
SO easily rs l. "
What do you think is best to be
done?' asked dismally.
We'll, Judging from what you have
told me, should think the best thing
would be to find Strent, said the in
spector He is the only man to solve
the mystery. Failing him, you'd better
get Rose Gernon down Her evidence
may 20 to prove that Mr. Briarfeld was
in bed at the time Felix was in the
house.
I'm wire for her to come down ut
once, " said, jumping up
1T will be as we'll I'll send man
over to STARRY and find ont il Strent
delivered the horse to the livery stable
keeper wish to heaven, Denham.
said the inspector, raging at me, that
you had told me all about this at first "
Il acted for the best. "
I've no doubt you did" he replied
i'll temperedly. but hate your anna
teur detectives They simply muddle
things I'd have Strengthened out this
coil long ago had | taken it in hand. "
II have my doubts Of that. " said j
dryly ard went of TO the telegraph Of
fee There | sent telegram TO Rose
Gernon asking her to come down by
the early train next morning and also
Informed the detective that | wished
her TO come knew quite well she
would not daIe 10 refuse, and, more
over. that my detective would send n
man to watch her. while he waited
round her house for the possible ap
pearance Of Strent
When got back TO the inspectors
room, found that his i'll temper had
vanished. and he was doing his best TO
console Francis
I've seen man In worse plight
than is yours. Mr. Briarfield, " he was
saying when | entered, land yet he
came out all right in the end. The
cause Of his predicament was similar. y
What's thaty' said Francis. looking
mp
Lack Of moral courage. Had you
told Denham at the time and then both
of you had told me. we might have laid
our hands on Rose Gernon and Strent
As IL was. you gave them time to make
up their plans and get away.
Rose hasn't got away" said l grim
" she's safe enough and will be here
tomorrow. "
II wish we could say the same about
Strunt, said the inspector
do you think he is guiltyT' asked
Francis
Upon my word, sir, after all my ex-
perience Of the law, am afraid TO say
who is guilty and who isn't That the.
ory Of Dr. Merrick's regarding Rose
Gernon is feasible enough. She certain
ly seems to have had more motive for
killing your brother than had Strent.
Its my opinion, said l. that there
is relationship between Strent and
Rose. In such relationship lies the Sc
cret of the crime and her silence.
"Humphl There's something in
that, said the inspector. They might
be man and wife. f"
OR brother and sister. j." suggested
Francis
'.Or even lovers" said, nodding
my head. Jealousy on the part Of
Strent might have spurred him OH to
killing Felix. "
These, however, were all theories,
and we parted for the night without
coming to any decision as to who was
the guilty party In the morning re.
ceived . telegram from Merrick and
went of with 1t at once to the inspect.
or. 1t ran thus:
Have secured Strent Am bringing
him down with Rose. Arrive at noon.
Hold over inquest II possible
by Jove, sir. said the inspector,
'that man Is lost as doctor. He ought
A. l. las..&.,,>