Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-01-19

down stream, but was recovered. The
one which had run into me was care
fully lifted aside. The spot where John.
sons head had rested ON the inn door
Ind been stained with his blood. and
Uncle John would not allow II to be
washed away. Il seemed like turning
your hand over to establish an alibi and
prove my innocence to the satisfaction
Of everybody. Indeed, Uncle John and
others declared with much feeling that
II Lord Dudley did not present me with
at least $50 for catching the murderer
he was not the man to retain their 10.
spect. Some even went 50 far as to
promise that the chief Of police would
apologize to me. in public.
Perhaps / should have stated in the
preceding chapter that the full name Of
her ladyship's maid was Mary Will
-iiams, and that she was the daughter OF
q small farmer few miles away. She
had been in the family so long and had
been found so faithful that l am sure
Lord Dudley would never have doubted
her innocence but for the police.
Neither do think the police altogether
pstray. Had it been any other man than
Ben Johnson, her lover. they would not
have reasoned as they did. In the good
ness Of her heart the girl had insisted
ON attending her ladyship that night.
and in the light Of subsequent events
that was q point against her. Some Of
the servants also confidently remem.
bered Of having heard her talk about
America and wish for life Of ease, and
that was put down ms evidence.
However, after the shock Of the affair
had worn of bit the girl made u rally
and showed her spirit. Feeling herself
to be perfectly innocent gave her great
strength. have always believed that 1t
was Lord Dudley himself who engaged
q lawyer to defend her and hunted out
the points in her favor, and it was
something greatly to his credit. Ben
johnson was furious with the girl be-
cause she had baffied him and furious
with me because / had brought about
his capture. He was not an educated
man, but he was gifted with powerful
assurance and natural cunning, and he
completely deceived his lawyer and the
police and general public. He admitted
threatening Lady Dudley with the knife.
While the menace had caused her death,
no doubt. il wouldn't be- hanging
ofYense. He might be transported for
life, but his lawyer hoped to get him
Of with Is or 90 years His accessories
might escape with shorter period.
We had elected, as was our right. TO
be tried separately. don't mean tried
for our lives, but examined to decide II
We should be held to the assizes. 1t was
wonderful what o story the villain
Johnson reeled of to the bench. Having
confessed his crime, nc was held, as q
matter Of course, and he was also used
~ q witness against the two Of rs. The
girl was arraigned first Johnson swore
that she proposed the robbery more than
o year before il took place, and that for
months abe had ridiculed him because
his conscience cried out against commit
ting such q crime. Loving her as he
did. he had finally been won over. She
had selected the asylum to which they
should flee, and he named Quebec as the
port they were to sail for. She had per-
sisted in sitting up with Lady Dudley
that night that he might not be disturb
ed in his operations. She had left the
window unfastened and the key Of the
safe in the lock. She had also taken care
that all her ladyship's jewelry, but