The Portland daily press., 1897-12-02
(Chapter II continued


Throughout this TRADE, Langford re-
tanned his self-control, but his face grew
paler and there was a dangerous look in
his dark eyes.
He was about to speak again, when the
tramp OF feet was heard in the kitchen,
and aptain Kennedy, followed by two
policemen carrying their muskets, en-
terei, the room. a cry went up from the
men, INT Mary Carey remained silent
door, and watching the face OF Patrick
Blake.
You're here before us Mr.. Langford, !"
said Kennedy well, what has MIR.
Blake to say Tor HIMSELF"
You'd better question him, answered
Langford, quietly.
Clear the room, John Carey, said
Kennedy to the landlord, ''and take your
daughter with you. Re handy, though,
for | may want you.
II shall remain with my CLIENT" said
the lawyer. "You know me. Captain
Kennedy-Peter Linnie, attorney, Of Cas-
tlebar''
eyes, I know you we'll enough an
swered the officer with shrug of the
shoulders.
The men had skunk out of the room,
but the girl remained moveless.
'Now, then, my girl" said Kennedy
''you can't stop here. Out you gol''
What are you going to do?'' she de.
manded, raising her voice. Are you
going to arest him, gintleman born?"
"That's our business.
'sNo, it's mine! dare ye to lay fin
ger on him, and I'll stay where l aml'
Kennedy signalled to the constables,
who were about to eject the. girl by gentle
force, when Father John O'Donnell en-
tered the room, and fixing his eyes upon
her. cried
lis it you, Mary Carey, that would
come between murderer and the law !?
Down on your knees, woman, and thank
the Lord ye're not whipt through County
Mayo at the carts tail. as they used to
whip women of your kind long ago. I've
spoken to your priest, and he tells me
that tits year now since ye came to con
fession, and by the same token. it's many
an ugly sin ye have to hide
"Get out. Mary exclaimed Blake.
otis all right I'll talk to theml''
More cowed by the priests invective
than by the armed forces of the law,
Mary retreatad, saying as she went
ssTell them nothing, Mr.. Patrickl I'd
let the tongue blister in my mouth before
I'd spake wordf'
The constable closed the door and stood
guarding 1t.
fNow, then, Mr.. Blake" said Ken
nedy, sitting down, 81 want to ask a
few q uestions. If you can answer them
satisfactorily, so much the hetter for you
thing you say will be used against you .
''I,ve nothing to say exceptAone thing, !"
answered Blake.
"Well?'
''Ihat I'll,be even before long with him
that gave information against me;" and
he glared fiercely at Langford.
Kennedy smiled.
How
Langford has nothing to do with the
matter. We've had an eye on your doings
for a long time, and needed no informer
to tell us what you were.
''All the same, I'lI be even with him I"
muttered Blake.
''Now, then, where were you yester-
day?,' 49,,
mont fishing" replied Blake, sullenly.
''All day p
t'All day, Michael Conolly was with
me, you can ask him.
Kennedy made an entry in his note
book
Just before sunset, Miss Power left
Newport on her way to Ballyveeny.
About seven O'Clock, according to the car
drivers evidence, she was passing the
the car, They must have been waiting
there some hours, for we found empty
whiskey bottles on the grass below the
bridge"
What's all this to me?" demanded
Blake
"You'll see. Where were you between
six and seven?'
Drinking in this room with Michael
Conolly and John Carey. If you'll ask
them, they'l tell you I was blind drunk.
Mary Carey can tell you the same"
Kennedy looked at Langford, who
shrugged his shoulders, bnt the priest,
who had been listening excitedly to the
conversation, now inrerposed.
''Patrick Blake, as you We soul to
be saved, speak the TRUTH Down on
your knees, and ask forgiveness of the
God you've offended. Our hearts are
aching-set them at restl What have We
done with the poor young lady? Tell the
truth. and save your soul! It's / myself
will plead for mercy for ye, If you really
and truly repent. and make confession
ssI've nothing to confess snarled
Blake, $50 you only waste your BREATH
seThree months ago Miss Power was
nedy, quietly. "She escaped, leaving the
marx of her riding whip upon his face.
l had warrant to arrest you then, and
I've got it, In my pocket. -
"Why didn't you execute it?'' demand
ed the young man, with sneer; but al
though his manner remained full uf
bravado, he was clearly cowed by the
officers statement.
because Miss Power herself entreated
us to pass the matter over. She had rec
ognized her assailant, but didn't wish to
have him punished"
'rhat was very kind Of her. said
Blake, leering at the attorney. "Maybe
she'd her reasons"
''Silencei' exclaimed Father O'Don-
nell. Speak of that angel with respect.
or my stick and your skull will be better
acquaintedl"
''Wheesht, your reverence" said Ken
nedy. s'Now, Mr.. Blake, listen to me.
Miss Power has disappeared, and it is
evident she has met with foul play. The
only man who ever threatened her with
violence, and the man who at least on
one occasion actually attacked her, is the
man who had the greatest interest in her
DEATH That man is yourself. Under
these circumstances. I'm going to arrest
you"
Blake sprang up and rushed to the
window.
you'd better take it easy" said The
officer, smiling, while the heads of two
more policemen appeared outside. Shall
1 handcuf yod, or will you come civilly,
like gentleman as you are.