Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-25

look or suspicion entered his face,
and, probably thinking that was
merely leading him on, he asked:
'If you know SO much about 1t
please tell me who it was 1 recog
nizcd."
Certainly. I'll whisper 1t in your
ear"
drew near to him and said impress
lively:
ut was Charles Goddard whom you
recognized in your house last night
and at whom you shot"
The last expression of doubt left his
face, and he could only add slowly
"Well, well, | don't understand how
you found it out"
The man was completely mystined,
as hoped he would be, and contin.
ued with a smile on my own face:
Now, If you believe that | know
what I'm doing we will enter into the
details Of my mission here this morn.
ing"
eco on. I'm ready for anything"
"First, then, what did you intend to
do with this informationy'
81 hadn't made up my mind" he
said doubtfully. taking a seat in an
easy chair near me.
"Wcll. you either intended to inform
the police or accuse Mr. Goddard of
the crime to his own face"
YES. one or the other. but most
likely the latter. Mr.. Goddard's father
and | were great friends. | should
1. -tNt a
honor"
II thought as much" replied, land
it is to prevent you from making a
mistake that l have called this morn
Ing. know more about this matter
than you do"
probably. You seem to know all
that | do. It's wonderful how you
knew it, for l swear l never men
toned the matter to any one except
my wife, and she's seen nobody but
the servants"
But other eyes may have recog-
nized the man." said suggcstively.
That's true. never thought Of
that. Did some of my servants see
him?
Don't worry yourself" l interrupt
ed. The person who saw him will
not mention it further. I've fixed all
that"
well, well: so early in the morning,
and you seem to have arranged every
thing before l could decide upon the
first step"
ITS my business" I added. Then
continuing | said in low voice:
But Mr.. Goddard IS not the only
one concerned in these robberes.
There is another and | think a more
dangerous neighbor who is implicated
in the crimes. But he is too wary to
be caught easily. He directs the whole
matter, but keeps in the background.
He must be caught at least and pun
ished if Mr.. Goddard is to suffer. 1t
would be a sin to let him escape and
the lesser criminal punished"
Yes, yes, of course-by all means"
Then we must work together. I've
laid plan by which | can prove the
guilt of this other party. If you will
we can face him with his guilt in spite
| OIL all MS SklllfuIneSS.
Anything that you think best. Pro-
pose your plan"
"Well. first. 1 want you TO keep the
matter strictly quiet and not mention
to living soul that you recognized
the burglar last night. Let the detcc-
| tivcs work on the case as usual, but
warn your wife not to COM. it herself.
Is she brave enough to do tais?"
yes; Ellen is only too ready to
shield Mr. Goddard. l cannot con-
vince her that | was correct in recog
nizing him."
$50 much the better. Let her con-
tinue to think so and pretend that you
think you might nave been mistaken,
Then next Tuesday night shall ask
you and another person who is more
Interested in Mr.. Goddard than your
sclf-Miss Stetson, in short-to accom-
pany me to one of your ncighbor' $
houses. He will be away that night,
and l will show you some Of the Sc
crcts of his little game that he con-
ceals in his house. When he returns
late at night. we can confront him
with the crime. I shall then leave it
with you and Miss Stetson as to what
course to pursue. If we arrest the
man, Mr.. Goddard will have to be i'm
plicated; if we Danish him from the
place with the threat Of exposure we
can shield Mr.. Goddard and give him
another chance. That, in short, is my
plan. Will you cooperate with mc?"
with pleasure. It's an admirable
arrangement. l believe we ought to
give Charles another opportunity.
can hardly find the heart to have him
arrested"
"Wcll l leave that entirely to you
and Miss Stetsor.'
"And Miss Stetson will agree with
me-"
l said nothing in reply, but after
giving few more directions l with
drew, promising TO call for him on the
evening specified to conduct him to
the house of his unknown neighbor.
CHAPTER KIN.
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