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

O'CLOCK III tho morning tOuu0 uyseiA
in prison cell for the first time IN my
life. As I sat on the hard bench TO hg-
ure bit on the situation was unable
to CLEAN much consolation. Being Z
sailor man and without any fixed hab-
itation, heavy bonds would be required
for my appearance when wanted. Who
was to furnish them? All my old chums
put together could not have qualified
for $500. There was only the hope that
they might have so many other wit
nesses that my testimony would not be
required. The sergeant had told us that
Lady Dudley had been murdered BY
burglar whom she discovered in her
room about midnight, but had given
few details However, things cannot be
bettered by worriment and by and BY
/ laid down ON the bench and fell
asleep, and for four hours ! slept as
well N ever did on shipboard. Then
was awakened by an officer, who or
dered me To follow him into u room in
which half dozen people were wait
ing for US. ! may tell you here that one
was Lord Dudley, second Uncle John
Hampton. and third. fourth and fifth
were menservants from the castle. IL
was the chief Of police who took me in
hand and began:
"Now, prisoner, we will hear your
story ns you told it last night. II Is my
duty to warn you that anything yCu
may let drop tending to criminate your.
self will be used against you on trial. "
But what am ! to be tried for, sir?'
] promptly demanded. being greatly
amazed at his language.
"You are charged with being an &C.
cessory to the murder Of Lady Dudley.
Here is the warrant for your arrest Go
on with your story. or perhaps you'll
decide not To- talk.
"He helping to murder Lady Dud.
ley |" groaned Uncle John, while stood
like q man turned to stone. why,
gents, I hope that none Of you have
gone crazy. How could he have been q
sharer in that horrid crime when he
was in my house from soon after 3
o'clock till after midnight without
leaving his chair?"
"You are not here to ask questions on
give advice, cautioned the chief. far
ing up in his temper at tho word.
BLESS my blooming heart, Of course
not but you'll only cover yourselves
with confusion II You go ON this way. "
"Do you recognize the man. my
lordy" asked the chief Of the great man.
81 have never seen him before, to my
knowledge"
The same question was asked Of the
servants. but here u singular trait of
human nature showed itself. They felt
that it would be-a great consolation to
his lordship and the police if the guilty
parties were caught and punished, and
70 the whole three hcsitated and STAN.
mered and finally concluded that they
had seen me in the company Of Ben
Johnson several times during the past
fortnight. Uncle John saw the chiefs
private secretary taking down every
thing said. but instead Of protesting he
gave me wink which decided me not
TO tell my story over again.
WHO says this man had hand in
that there murtler?' asked the landlord
as the chief wanted to know il desired
to talk.
"His pal has confessed and given him
away"
"Do you mean that Ben johnson says
Ralph Tompkins was in it with him?"
IL do. he says this man acted as his
lookout Oh the outside, and that he Is
really the one who put up the job. "
"Well. Of all the billing. blooming.
blossoming stories ever heard this do
beat 'em all!' exclaimed Uncle John a.
he struck his FIST on table.
Ben johnson had made clean breast
Of il and had declared that Mary, the
maid, and your humble servant were as
guilty as himself. He was getting even
with me sooner than he had hoped to.