The Portland daily press., 1897-12-08
tALL RIGHTS REsERvED.)
Chapter VI oontinued.l

among the lower classes that 1t is fire.
Quently the custom not to swear certain
witnesses at all, and the impression in
this case was that, if Blake was guilty,
the persons brought forward to prove an
alibi were simply his confederates. But
in point OF fact there was. no real evidence
whatever against the prisoner, and the
magistrates we're at loss what to do
AT this point, Captain Kennedy asked
Tor a remand, stating that by information
"a his possession, but AS yet incomplete,
he hoped in q weeks time to bring for
ard satisfactory evidence of the prison
er's guilt. While the magistrates were
still hesitating and consulting how to
proceed, g man entered the court and
handed letter to MIR. Langford.
1--WE have decided to remand the prison
er for week, !" said the presiding magis-
trate. Hbut we will accept moderate bail
for his appearance.
Then an extraordinary incident &C.
CURED.
Still very pale, and now greatly excited
Mr.. Langford rose up, holding in his
hand the letter which he had just re-
ceived
lone moment. if you please" he said
81 must ask you to discharge the pris-
ener at once. l hold in my hand the
proof Of his complete innocence.
a murmur Of omazement went round
"The proof What proof9' asked the
magistrate.
IA letter from the person chiefly con-
eerned."
''Of Miss Catherine Power
The murmur grew to roar.
Miss Power" proceeded Langford, 60 is
alive and perfectly we'll, and it is her
wish that Mr.. Blake should be at once set
at liberty
He banded up the letter, which ran as
foElows:-
esulo NJ, TonnFord
ssObIige me by informing the magis
trates at Newport that I am safe at home
in Craig Castle, and that the inquiry
into my fate need go no further. Re-
quest them to release my cousin from
custody without an instant's delay.
have no charge to make against anyone
whatever. sak IA 4alks
Catherine Power
The news came like thunder clap on
all concerned "Parturiunt monies ct
nascitur ridiculus mus" Instead of
lying dead in some unknown spot at the
bottom OF the sea, the missing heiress,
after an absence of four days and nights,
was seated quietly at home. There could
be no doubt-abouJ 1.-THE letter was in
her handwriting. Strangest of all, she
offered no explanation of what had oc.
Cured, and proffered no accusation.
AS the news was proclaimed, another
look of rapid intelligence passed between
Patrick Blake and Mary Carey. Then
Father O'DonnelL who was present,
waved his arms in the air with wild
cheer, which was taken up by the crowd
OF spectators.
AS Blake walked from the court accom-.
panied by his friends, he passed close tC
Langford, who stood like Ii man dazed
and overwhelmed. Their eyes met, and
Blake said between his set teeth:
Don't forget what promised you.
mean to keep my word"
And as Langford shrugged his shout
aers and turned YEARLY away, Blake
added to Mary Carey:
81 II be even with him, for having me
arrested like a dog. -
Fast as his horse could tret, Father
O'Donnell FASTENED to the Castle, and
Captain Kennedy sat beside him on the
car.
Powers above, it's miraclei' ejacu-
lated the priest, joyfully. She's alive
sft4r all, Col bless her, and me that was
fretting my heart out for her as if she
was my own flesh and blood -
But what can have happened to her?'
cried Kennedy, 1--WE haven't got to the
bottom of the mystery YETI
On arriving at the Castle, they found
that the news was perfectly true. Early
that forenoon, the mistress of the house
had quietly returned home on foot, as II
nothing unusual had occurred. She
seemed a little fatigued, that was all
whence, shortly afterwards, she de-
spatehed the messenger to Langford.
They were shown up into her boudOir,
where they found Catherine sea ted
dressed in loose morning wrapper, and
with her beautiful HAIR flowing loose over
her shoulders. She looked pale and worn,
with dark rings of fatigue round hel
eyes, but held out her hand to them with
q smile.
Tears OF joy rolled down the good
priest face, as he sank on his knees be-
side her, and offered up his thanks to
God for her preservation. Then the fer
Vor of the priest gave way to the curiosity
of the man.
And now, my child, tell us all about
it'll What has happened, acushla
machree?''
Unfortunately, can tell you MOTH
ing. she replied gently. {" An my wish
now is to forget what has happened. 1t
Is over-let ii he forgotten"
But, my dear child"
''My cousin is at liberty, hope?h she
said, addressing Captain Kennedy.
YES, miss, was the reply. "They
released him at once on the arrival Of
your letter"
81 am glad of that. The affair, then,
will go no further?"
ut can't, miss, unless you yourself take
action" 3ts
81 shall not do so,' said Catherine
with Sign.
Sorely puzzled, Captain Kennedy took
his leave.
He had still no doubt whatever that
Blake, in some mysterious way, was con-
cerned in GATHERINGS disappearance, and
he was quite at loss to understand her
apathy in the matter.
Father O'Donnell remained alone with
Catherine. They talked together quietly
for some time, and then, her beautiful
eyes full of tears and her voice choking,
Catherine said
What | wouldn't tell to my dearest
friend I wish now to confess to my
priest;" and she knelt before him and
made confession
AS she proceeded his astonishment in.
creased, and when she had finished he
was pale a ghost with mingled won
der and Indignation. Had a thunderbolt
fallen at his feet, he couldn't have been
more amazed.
Patrick Blake was the hero of the hour
Hi had kind OF royal progress on his
way back to Carey Inn, where he had
arranged to resume his quarters and