Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-11-16

quarter of an hour, with the result that
when they did get into Barnstape the
express office vas closed. He tried to
ind the clerk, but failed, and then how
to kill the u hours till 8 next morning
became the problem that sorely per
picked him, for he must stop in Barn
staple that night. Suddenly he recalled
his friend of the Gaiety theater. From
The highly colored placards that deco
rated the streets and the entrance to the
theater he learned that an equally
thrilling melodrama TO that which was
purveyed to the public on his last visit
was in progress.
He found his way down the Erimy
passage again, and the stern janitor
conveyed his card to Mr. Ridgeway and
brought it backed with the message
from the manager that he would be on
the stage all the evening, but if Mr.
Darrcnt would go in front and see the
show Mr.. Ridgeway would see him aft
srward. and on the card was pencilcd
IN order for stall. Darrent glanced at
tbs writing and received his second
shock that day, and, instead of accept
ne paid Ills money at the door and care
fully placed the card in his pocketbook
With the fall of the curtain Mr. Oar
rent reached the stage door and n cou-
! pie of minutes afterward was in the
managers room again.
! Mi Ridgeway motioned him to a
seat and awaited the commencement of
l urh hn
not deny that, upon the evidence sub
mitted at the trial, the verdict had been
A just one. he did not somehow feel
ovcramiable toward the man who had.
bit by bit built up that evidence.
Darrcnt, who had great belief in the
Efficacy of getting home the first shot
nddenly opened fire
"Why did you post box Of chess
men to Miss Ethel Kingston. Bideford
IN the 13th of January" he asked
The effect upon Mr.. Arthur Ridge
way was instantaneous and astonish
Ing. He simply collapsed into the near
est chair and gasped, "How the dickens
did you know"
Never mind how know. l ask you
why did you do it?"
Il did it for Astray Marsden s sake.
Come, come, Mr. Ridgeway; this is
b little too thin It's not n play. you
know
"As sure as heavens above us, Mr.
tarront, that's the truth. -
Come, now," said the detective
.uietly; "you d better make a clean
breast Of the whole affair, or you may
ind you We put yourself in very seri-
GUS position
Has Astray confessed?'
"Ncver mind what Astray's done.
You tell me your version.
There not much to tell I always
liked young Marsden. l told you that
when yOu came before. | always be-
hevoI,n him and thought him a straight
going chap. and so | do now, mind
Fou,' said Ridgoway. $50 do now. p"
"Yes, yes; go on calmly interject-
II Iarrcnt
"Well, the day after the murder
tstlHy came over here"-
Eyes, know
Hooking scared and white, and
oegGed and prayed me to 90 over to
Norcombe the first thing the next
morning and to pretend to Dobson. III
chief of police there. that | was dc
tective and get him to give me a box G
ivory chessmen from the library of TIL
Grange"
"Well You did, eh?"
Il refused at first, but Astray per
Guadod ue. He told me it might be
matter of life and death to him an
that he must have those chessmen be
fore any one came from Chicago. II
said | was the only man who could d
it and the only one he could trust.
was IN actor and could play the part
/ could make up so that | should neve