Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-07-26
CHAPTER XVI.
Continued.

group of buildings of which the Blue
Lion was the principal. when the girl.
turning suddenly 10 her uncle. asked:
Uncle George. what is the matter?
Why are you different. different TO
me:''
There was n pause. A struggle was
going on in the mans breast. strug-
gle pitifully keen. between the love lie
had always borne toward his Nell and
the attacks of doubt and suspicion. 1t
was in a husky. unnatural voice that
he presently replied, pagryi'1g the ques
ton:
different, How different:"
You know. you know" Nell whis
pered back.
George Claris looked Mt her. And
for Il minute the old trust came back
into his heart. and ne told himself
that he was n fool. n miserable old
fool. to allow n doubt of her absolute
goodness and truth TO enter his mind.
And then again The ugly thoughts
which had begun to darken his mind.
subtly instilled by the doubt and sus-
picion in all TIE minds around him.
clouded over him once more. He could
not give her an open answer. although
he felt that it would have been better
IL he could have done so. He heaved
q big sigh, and answered without look.
ing:
''Ah, well. my girl. it's not so easy
to be lively and cheerful with such
things 3s Them and he vaguely indi.
Gated the recent occurrence, jerking
his whip back in the direction of
Stroan. happening under ones very
windows. almost
And then they both We're silent. both
conscious ut the same moment that
they were close to the spot were the
body of Jem Sticsels had been found
on the previous night. Both uncle and
niece looked furtivciy at the spot. east
~ diScernible by the trodden-down
condition of the wayside grass. And
then. quite suddenly. their furtive
glances sough5 each others face, and
FOR moment their eyes met.
Uncle" asked Nell. in a whisper.
twas the gun that fred the bullet
found:"
George Claris shook his head in an.
ewer.
This. indeed. was the chief difficulty
with which the local police. put on
their mettle by the presence in their
midst of Hemining. the London detec-
tive. had to contend.
The bullet found in the head of Jem
Stickels had evidently been fired from
an old-fashioned weapon. being of
large size and of obsolete pattern. And
no weapon had been found in the
neighborhood. after Il diligent and eX-
haustive search. The theory of the
Doctors was that the bullet had been
discharged from pistol at a distance
OF at le1st some yards: but at pres
ent this theory had borne no fruit ex-
cept in the brain OF the detective. Hem.
ming.
That as:ute person had been revoiv-
ing in his mind an idea. which he took
care to keep To himself. and which led
him. within an hour OF the conclusion
OF the inquest. in the direction of Shin
gle End.
Where would Nell be so likely to find
weapon with which TO commit the
crime which freed her from her fear
Of Jcm Stickels as 1t the house OF an
old soldier? Somewhere about the
house. and probably in n place with
which she. an habitue of the house.
was we'll acquainted. the old colonel
would be SIRE TO keep some mementos
of his soldering days. an inspection
of which Hemming felt was very like
" TO give him the clue he wanted.
1t was. as usual. Miss Bostal who
opened the door to him. Her prim face
seemed to light up on seeing who it
was.
Come in. do come in" said she.
throwing the door wide open. and in
viting him to enter the drawing-ro
81 do hope you have got some more
news for us. Do You know I hope
more from what you will find out than
from all these country policemen II
they We're 10 sit and talk till midsum-
mer. don't believe they would be any
nearer 10 finding out who did it than
they are now"
The detective smiled.
Il think you are too hard upon them.
ma'am." said lie. They think they've
got pretty good clue already. And
they quite expect to make an arrest
before man. days are over
Miss Bostal who had followed him
into the drawing room. and was pro-
ceedng To light Il solitary candle. after
A.. hOsnitab!e custom. shrugged her
little. thin shoulders impatienrly.
They always say that. Bat what
- you think
The detective did rot answer at once
And when she turned to inquire the
reason of this. she perceived by the ex
preston of his face something had
startled him.
What is the natter" she asked
quickly.
Il suppose these doings have made
me nervous. like the rest of them
ma'am." answered he. looking down Al
ais hat. and brushing ii carefully with
his hand For fancied saw some
body looking in at the window
Miss Bostol looked IT him curiously
t seemed to her that from where ht
stood he could see neither or the win
dows. nor even the renection Of on