Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-05

folly to deny that he is in peril. Save
him, and l will never forget what you
have done"
THAT is worth working for" he said.
"But it is not all. A man demands
more. If save him, though you your
self believe him guilty, or if he never
returns, thus confessing his guilt, what
shall be my reward?"
"Urge me no further. / am utterly
incapable of thought. Come with me
to your fathers house. We must be
seen there. Then you must take me
home"
Seeing that she was indeed yielding to
the horrors of that night, he silently
obeyed her, fearful that his resistance
might actually distract her.
They found the Rev. Mr.. Warren at
Ned Ames' house. and with splendid
self command the girl told him the
story that had been agreed upon. She
had come to take him home.
Frank insisted upon sharing the
walk; and the girl dared not refuse.
She wished, indeed, to keep him near
he, that he might act at her command
in any emergency.
AZ bright fire blazed in the clergy
mans coy parlor, and in its light and
warmth stood Robert Maxwell, wait
ing.
Rev. Mr.. Warren was surprised to sec
his visitor, and the feelings of the other
two who saw him call for word that
has not yet been put into the language.
Maxwell explained his sudden return
by saying that he had found his in
vestigations in Boston so simple as to
require only a few hours search. H.
had reached that city at six o'clock il
the morning and had left on the noon
express. In that short time he had
convinced himself that Ned A.nes Lat
not died; that the pretended death wa.
q ruse to throw the officers of the law
off his track, and to facilitate the muir
der of Charlotte, which, for some reason
hitherto undiscovered, had become nee
essary.
This information greatly interested
Mr.. Warren, and he would have dis
cussed its bearings at great length with
Maxwell, but Anna interposed. She
Noull lNlU BcllIlb llCI ldtLCT W cNCllc
himself further. With gentle persua-
sion she made him consent to go to rest.
But Maxwell and Ames did not leave
the house. The situation would be
regarded as unusual in any other part
of the country; but in Maine the chape-
rome is an article imported only in small
quantities and very little in demand.
When her father had gone, Anna told
Maxwell exactly what she had done
that evening. She omitted nothing ex-
cept Frank Ames' declaration of love
for her. Maxwell guessed that, and
his wrath knew no bounds. Nothing
, but the presence of the woman they
both loved prevented a personal en-
counter. Maxwell accused Ames of
conspiring against him. He scofTcd at
the idea that the body of Ned Ames
had ever been in the old Maxwell house.
1.-The idea is monstrous," he ex-
claimed. Il tell you that Ned Ames is
not dead"
Before Frank could frame reply, a
new voice broke into the discussion.
Il beg to disagree with you," it said.
eddie Ames is dead, and / have seen
his body"
All turned toward the door into the
hall, and there stood Mulligan, bowling
apologetically.
81 knocked several times" he said,
''but YOU were so interested that you
did not hear me. Can come in? Thank
you, Miss Warren. And what have you
to say in reply to me, DR.. Maxwell?'
Frank Ames did not wait for Max
wells reply. He turned upon Multi
gan.
$50 it was you who removed the
body?" he exclaimed.
mo, it wasn't. l found it, but some
body relieved me of the trouble of re-
moving it. 1t was there at nine o'clock
this evening. 1t isn't there now,
Where is it, I'd like to know? And by
the way, DIR. Maxwell, what time die
you drive by the house on your way
back from the Junction."
"a little before ten"
| Returned from Boston rather sooner
than you suspected, didn't you?"
Maxwell suppressed an oath.
"You know why" he said, angrily.
81 was logged by one of your men. If
you want me watched, do it yourself
Here am"
quite so; and I'm pleased to see you.
Now, let me briefly state the facts. /
didn't believed that Eddie Ames was
dead. ! believe Horace Riddles story.
But all the same it was my duty to
| search this town for Ames' body
which might have been in that coffin,
you know-and did search. l found
it this evening in the cellar of your old
house, doctor.
from the appearance of the body
have no doubt that he died of diph.
iberia, as the record said. Now, how
did the body get into that cellarf
Thank heaven for the hardened snow
under the soft fcathery stuff that fell
in the latter part of Thursday night.
did little scraping outside the house
and found some footprints. They were
unquestionably those Of the man who
brought the body. He wore rubbers
and that's unfortunate. It's in the ma
ture of disguise. Still by measure
ments l was able to learn something.
"Will you oblige me with your foot
Mr.. Ames? Thank you. All, it's much
too long. What long, narrow, arts
tocratic foot you have, to be sure