Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-20
CHAPTER xxx.

NhhTiEh AAA.
On his way to the depot SweetwHter
went into the Herald office and bought
morning paper At the station he opened
it. There was one column devoted to the
wreck of the Hesper, and whole half
page to the proceedings of the third days
inquiry into the cause and manner of
Agatha Webb's death. Merely noting that
his name was mentioned among the lost in
the first article, he began to read the latter
with justifiable eagerness. The assurance
given in Capt. Wattles' letter was true.
No direct suspicion had as yet fallen on
Frederick. AS the lover Of Amabel Page
mis- name was necessarily mentioned, but
neither in the account of the inquest nor in
the editorials on the subject could he find
any proof that either the public or police
had got hold Of the great idea that he
was the man who had preceded Amabel to
Agatha's cottage. Relieved on this score.
he entered more fully into the particulars,
and found that though the jury had sat
three days, very little more had come to
light than was known on the morning he
made that bold dash into 80 Hesper. Most
of the witnesses had given in their testi-
mOny, Amabel's being the chief, and
though no open accusation had been made
it was evident from the trend of the Ques-
tons put to the latter that Amabel's con-
nection with the affair was looked upon as
picious light. Her replies, however. as un-
der a similar but less formal examination,
failed to convey any recognition on her
part either OF this suspicion of her own
position: yet they were not exactly frank,
and Sweetwater saw, thought he saw
NATURALLY falling to have key to the sit
uation), that she was still working upon
her old plan of saving both herself and
Frederick, by throwing whatever suspicion
her words might raise upon the deceased
label. He did not know, and perhaps 1t
was just a well that he did not, at this
especial juncture, that she was only hiding
her tme-nOw very nearly at hand-and
that instead of loving Frederick she hated
him. and was determined upon his destruc-
ton. Reading. as a final clause. that Mr..
Sutherland was expected to testify soon in
explanation of his position executor of
Mrs. w Gibbs will. Sweetwater grew very
serious. and. while no change took place
in his mind as to his present duty. he de-
cided that his return must be as unobtru-
sive as possible. and his only too timely
temperance on the scene of the inquiry
kept secret till Mr.. Sutherland had given
his evidence and retired from under the
eyes of his excited fellow citizens.
THE sight of me might unnerve him."
was Sweetwater's thought, ''precipitating
the very catastrophe we dread. One look
one word on his part Indicative of his inner
apprehensions that his had hand in
the crime which has benefited him. and
nothing can save Frederick from the charge
Of murder. Not krupps skill, my silence
or Amabers finesse. The young man will
be lost"
He did not know. as we do that Anna
bells finesse was devoted to winning hus-
band for herself. and that, in the event of
failure. the action she threatened against
her quondam lover would be precipitated
that very day at the moment when the
clock struck II
Sweetwater arrived home by the way of
Portchester. He had seen one or two per-
sons he knew, but, so far, had himself es-
capped recognition. The morning light was
dimly breaking when he strobe into the
outskirts of Sutherlandtown and began to
descend the hill. As he passed Mr.. Halli-
ished to see . Hight burning In one deeply