Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-01-01
Glow far is it from STARRY to the

Fen inn?"
"About IL miles"
And from the Fen inn to Marshmin-
sters"
Ten miles.
"Much about muchness, said Mer-
rick. "Did you tell Strent you had rid
den from Starby?"
Eyes. l had no reason to conceal my
movements. "
Quite SO. Well, according to Rose
Gernon, it was your horse Strent took
to escape?"
1T was. wonder he did not take
the horse of Felix.
For very simple reason. He knew
when the alarm was given that you
and Denham would go to Marshmin-
stor. Therefore. to hide his trail the
better, he went back with your horse to
Starby.'
do you think so?"
II am sure of it. Go to the livery
stable ut Starby where You hired your
horse. and l am certain You will find
II there. restored by Strent "
well, said ], in nowise satisfied,
Suppose we trace him to STARRY. That
will be Of no use. No doubt he took the
train there for London. :"
VERY probably" said Merrick cool
", 'and waited there for Rose Ger
non."
'But she has not seen him since he
fed from the inn.
$50 she says. but IL is not true, for
all that When he killed Felix, and
the evidence seems to point to him as
the murderer. he told Rose TO take the
gig and 20 to Marshminster. Then he
rode off to STARRY and rejoined her in
London.
But why should she conceal his
movements"
Because he knows too much about
the crime" said ,Merrick dccisively.
"Either she did it herself and is afraid
of his speaking. or no did IL, and she
wishes 10 screen him.
why should she wish to screen a
man who killed her lover!"
II can't answer all questions, said
Merrick irritably, finding himself at n
loss. "All this is pure theory, bat l
think il is So am certain there Is an
understanding between Rose and Strent
II that detective watching Rose only
knew Strent, am certain he would
catch him paying her visit. 2"
"Why not give the detective pic.
turc Of the mani" suggested Francis.
why not indeed?' | retorted deri-
sively. Because We haven't got "a pic
ture.
Il have one ut my rooms" said Fran
els.
where did you get it?'
Il drew it while waiting for Felix at
the Fen inn. You know. Denham, /
have some skill in catching expressions
and watching faces. The fellow struck
me as such snug scoundrel that !
penciled caricaturo Of him while he
moved about the dining room. IL is not
q photograph certainly. Still l think 1t
is sufficiently like him. "
Capital. said the doctor, rubbing
his hands. ITS good thing you en-
ployed your leisure in tLat way, Mr.
Driarfed 1t may do you great serv-
ica. -
"You think am in danger"
II think you stand i'll a perilous posi-
ton. replied the doctor grayely. Your
very efforts 10 preserve your secret and
battle Denham will score against you
with the police. And you must tell
them all, seeing you know where the
body was 10 b. found.
IN tell them all and do the best
I can, said Francis, turning pale,
but Rose can prove was never out Of
my room"
mo. she can't. Rose went 10 bed,
and for aught she knows you might
have come down and quarreled with
your brother afterward. Your only
chance, Mr.. Briarfield, of proving your
innocence is to find Srent II you give
that portrait to the detective watching
Rose Gernon. believe you II lay hands
on him. bur it's mere chance.
There is another means Of idcntifl'
cation" said !. ''Strent is lame. 50 II
q lame man calls on Miss Gernon my
detective, aided by the picture, will
know il is Stren;. "
We'll, go and try my plan, " said
Merrick, shaking Francis by the hand.
II hope for your sake, MIR. Briarfield,
it will be successful.