The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-08-25

Presently the younger turned so that
his side face came into view. The
watcher, with sudden gasp, shrank
back.
Chris ' he whispered; astounded.
What was that? Did you hear ?"
mo, l heard nothing" said the
doctor.
What is it ~ murmured the sick
woman.
Nothing, mother; but 1 fancied 1
heard some one call Chris"
The man outside had again laid him
self flat on the stone edge; he was try
ing to gather his scattered wits.
Chris By all that's merciful,
they've come here to be near me
That man at the door said Mrs. Muir
ray was ill. Can it be mother under
false name? If so, I'm safe ~
For sudden illumination had come;
he had decided what to do.
He crept backward to the window
into which he had first looked.
by George! I'll chance it any
how" he said, and, listening a mo-
ment. raised himself and climbed in.
| Then he closed the window and drew
down the blind.
Quickly he stripped himself of every
stitch of clothing, flinging it under the
| bed. Then he went to the washstand
| and scrubbed vigorously at his hands
| and face; having got these fairly clean,
| he deliberately searched the drawers
and presses, and, choosing the gar
ments which seemed most suita BILE,
dressed himself from head to foot.
Then, going to the glass, he surveyed
| the result.
Yes, shall pass" he said, for he
saw a good-looking, gentlemanly fell
low, dressed in quiet taste, who had
| quasi-nautical look, due to his close
| shaver face.
| Il must run the chances of the house
being searched. Hawkins would know
me if they bring tim along. don't
believe any of the other wardens
would. Well, now, to see Chris" and,
having put out the lamp, he quietly
opened the door.
Within the next room death was at
hand, and the dying woman walled for
her missing son.
why is he so long in coming?"
Tell her he has been sent for"
whispered the doctor; lit will quiet |
her."
Chris bent over and whispered.
YES" she said, 81 know-and his |
innocence is proved 81
eyes, mother" faltered Chris.
"A-h He-must-make-h
There was a silent pause.
why doesn't he come ~
Again there was a pause.
Suddenly she called "Dick, my dear |
boyr
Here l am, dear mother?'
The two others turned in ameZs-
ment. Chris shivered and his nerves |
crawled; the doctor merely wondered. |
Dick advanced to the bed.
Tell her you're pardoned-inno-
cent gasped Chris.
Dick bent over and whispered. His |
mother clasped him, and tears filed |
her dying eyes. "Thank God" she
murmured
But the excitement had FASTENED |
the end. In few minutes the three |
stood silent by corpse.
AT last Dick spoke. "Have the police
gone? suppose you know I've
escaped?"
Escaped? ?"
Yes"
But you are all dressed, and
Eyes. Dressed in your room"
Didn't you hear the police at the
door, then 81
YES. was outside on the ledge"
"Great heaven TEEN what are we
to do =? Where are your other things ?"
Under the bed in your room,
Chris"
"But-you're not safe here l
shouldn'S wonder if they come back.
They are back ~
For the door bell rang.
"Oh, DR.. Stewart, what shall we
do ?" said Chris.
Run and bring his things in here,
quick ~
Chris ran. They flung them under
the bed of death.
Hardly had they done so when the
housemaid was at the door.
please, sir, here's the p'liceman
back, and says he's got a warrant to
search the house,
Let him come up" said the doctor,
extinguishing one of the candles as he
spoke.
Dick took long breath-then look
ed rourd-there seemed to be no way
of escape. The three listened silently
to the steps coming upstairs. AS the
sergeant entered, holding out the
scdfCu pun
to his lips and said, Hush p
The policemen halted.
so you were bound to trouble us,
eh % whispered the doctor. Mrs.
Murray has just died; there will be no
need for you to search this room p
"Well-no, sir" faltered the SER
geant." but might we have bit more
light just for minute2''
"On, certainly" said the doctor, and
he lit the other candle with unsteady |
hand. These are Mrs. Murray's two
sons"
The man lifted Ills eyes--the yourg
men faced him-he looked perplexed- |
ly at Dick, and seemed to be trying to
remember something. 1t was a mo-
ment of intense strain. The doctor
broke the oppressive silence.
You can pest one of your men at
the door, you know"
Yes, sir; and, of course, You bein'
a magistrateh-
Yes, that's all right" said the doc
tor.
The sergeant saluted; then turned |
and walked slowly through the door
wav.
"Phewr' calculated Dick.
The officer halted and looked round.
The three stood staring at him, wait
ing his departure. Somehow he felt
that all was not right. With hesita-
ton he again turned, and passed out
of the room with his attendant.
"Who was that Teller like, 'AwkinsF"
Didn't notice i'm, sergeant"
"Some one know. Dashed if l can
think who! Well, you stay here at
the door. I'm going through the
house, dead or no dead
The search was, of course, without |
effect, and the sergeant was about to
leave the house when thought struck
him. He went back to the death |
chamber.
Might 1 see them two young gents
again for minute, doctor p
Yes, l suppose SO. But there's |
only one now; the elder had to &C.
funeral arrangements, you know"
What In the night, sir p
"Yes. There's a night train, you |
know. Here's Mr.. Christopher Muir
ray"
The sergeant stared at the young
| man.
well, sir, your face seems familiar,
too"
He looked sharply, questioningly, to
| the doctor, who returned stolid stare. |
| Hanged if l know !" he muttered.
"Ah, well, good night, gentlemen
both"
Aud he went out:
Last year the member for Mont