New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-24
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE OWLS CRY.

and shouting for Hodgson.
! But Hodgson. 1t seemed. had found way Of
! his own. For. moment later. d fresh sound Of
| hoofs alarmed the night-this time in the lane,
down which it swept in pursuit. tune pound
| ed out to the accompaniment of loose stones
volleyed and dropping between the beats.
! "Drat the mans impotence" said Miss Belcher
cooy: hes taken my mare"
What's that you say?" demanded Mr..
Rogers's angry voice from the yard.
You won't find another horse. Jack. unless
you brought him. Whitmore keeps but one
| "Confound it ALL LYDIA He came sullenly
| back toward the window.
! You've said that before The mans gone.
unless Hodgson can overtake hin-whch
! doubt. He rides sixteen stone, if ounce, and
| the mares used to something under eleven. So
| give over, my boy and come in and tell me what
| it's all about"
| Look here" he growled clambering back
| into the room there's deviItry somewhere at
the bottom of this. The fellows nag was ready
saddled-I got near enough to see that; and the
yard gate posted open; and-the devil take it,
! Lydia believe you opened that window on pur-
pose! Did you?'
That's telling my dear. But, if you like.
we'll suppose that did"
! Then" said Mr. Rogers lit may interest you
| TO know that you've given him bail from the
| galows He's priest at all; by his own con-
fession he's forger, and I'll lay odds he's a
murderer. too. if that's enough But perhaps
you knew this without my telling your
Miss Belcher took a step or two toward the
fireplace and back Her face white for mo-
ment was composed when she turned it again
upon
Don't be an ass Jack. I knew nothing of
| the sort"
You knew enough. it seems" Mr. Rogers
persisted, sulkily, TO guess ne was in hurry.
! And you'll excuse me, Lydia. but this is a seri-
| Gus business. Whether you knew it or not.
you've abetted a criminal in escaping from the
| law. and I've my duty to do. What brought you
here to-night?'
Are you asking that a justice of the
| peace?"
Il am" he answered flushing angrily.
Then I shall not answer you. Who is this
boy?"
His name is Harry ReveL"
What? The youngster the hue and cry's
after?'
| Quite so: and youngster in a pretty bad
mess now that you've opened the cage to the
real bird"
Jack Rogers. you don't mean TO tell me that
he-that Mr.. Whi:more'-
Killed the Jew Rodriguez? Well, Lydia.
I've doubt of i, in my own mind; but when
you entered We were investigating another crime
| of his, and drtier one
She swept US all in gaze. and 1 suppose that
our faces answered her
| VERY we'll" she said: Il will answer your
questions You may put them to magis-
| trate later on. but just you shall listen TO
| them as a friend and a gentleman" With her
| hunting crop she pointed toward the door I'm
| the next room and alone, if you please. Thank
| you. You will excuse US. rector
| She bowed to the old man Mr.. Rogers stood
| aside to let her pass, then followed The door
| closed behind them.
Mr. Dodge fumbled in his pockets. found his
| spectacIes adjusted them with shaking hand,
! and sat down before the bureau to search for the
| license The pigeonholes contained but few
bundles of pa pers all tied very neatly with red
| tape and docketed. CNeatness, at any rate. was
one of Mr.. Whitmore's virtues Although the
carpet lay Uttered with books, boots and articles
of clothing. which by their number proclaimed
| the dandy the few selected for the valise had
been deity packed and with extreme economy of
! space) In the first drawer below the writing
| flap the rector found the register and parish &C
| count books in an orderly pile. He seized on the
| register at once. opened it, and ran his eyes
| down the later pages. muttering while he read:
There is no entry here OF MISS BrGokS 5 mar
| rage" he announced "One. two three-hve
| marriages in all entered in his handwriting; but
no such name as Brooks Plinlimmon- Stay.
what is the meaning of this I wonder?-a blank
line between two entries-one of March 20, the
other of the 25th-both baptisms. Looks as If
he'd left room for post entry. Let's have a
look at the papers"
He tossed the bundles over and found one
labelled Marriage; spread the papers out and
rubbed his head in perplexity. IsabePs license
was not among them. Next he began to open
the books and shake them. pausing now and
again as page of figures caught his eye
Accounts seem in order. down to the petty
cash" He stopped. picked up and opened a
small parcel of coin wrapped in paper. which
his elbow had brushed off the ledge. Fifteen
and ninepeace-right to d penny But where
in the world can that license be-
There were drawers in the lower half OF the
bookcase and he directed me TO search in these
while he hunted again through the bureau. And
while we were thus occupied the door opened
and Miss Belch=r re-entered the room with Mr.
Rogers at her heels. Had it been possible 10 as
sociate tears with Miss Belcher, l could have
sworn she had been weeping. Her first words
and the ringing masculine tone Of them. effaced
that half formed impression.
What the dickens are you two about?
We are searching for q license the rector
answered I am right, Mr.. Rogers-am ! not
in nv recollection that Whitmore indicated
he hare room and easily fOund?"