Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-02
CHAPTER XVI.
An Allv Gained.

An Ally Gained
/ left the Arms cottage that afternoon
with my mind in q curious condition OF
conjecture and question, and from the
Overlook stable I went directly to the
boathouse and thence upon the water. a
troll line trailing from the stern OF my
boat and my thinking cap well adjusted.
pulled into the channel and permitted
the boat TO drift as turned over in my
mind and pieced together the bits OF evil
dence that had come TO my notice in the
past week.
When I thought again OF my troll line
II was more than an hour later and a
hasty examination showed me that a
large fish must have nibbled freely at
my bait-so freely. indeed, that he had
carried IL away. hook and all! But had
tabulated q few facts in my mind and
committed them to my notebook. These
are what they were:
First. A secret In the building of the
south wing.
Second. Jim Arms held power over Mr.
Somhers before erection of wing: there
fore was not discharged with other en-
ployes when wing was added.
Third. Same power over Mr.. Somhers
which kept Arms at Overlook during con-
struction OF addition explains Mr.. Som
hers legacy to the man.
Fourth. According to report on coro-
ner's inquest In Beverly Dial. James
Arms caught q ride in a neighbor's
wagon into Beverly on the morning pre-
ceding the tragedy at Overlook. and from
there was seen TO board q train for
Providence. Not proved where he was at
hour OF murder. but according to his
oath, he was on q train homeward bound
between the hours of and 6 O'Clock.
and reaching Beverly he walked home.
arriving there about Z o'clock. shortly
after the body of Mr.. Somhers was found.
Fifth. Maggie Arms knows. or sus-
poets. who killed Mr.. Somhers, but has
never confided facts. or fears. to her
mother-unless the old dame is a mighty
good actress.
Sixth. Jim Arms harbors gentleman
Of whose existence no one outside the
family is supposed to know. and who is.
perhaps. the source OF the ready money
which Jim is reputed to display and boast
about
So much for evidence. Now for query
and speculation.
What is the secret Of the wing? What
reason. indeed. would q man OF Mr.. Som
hers character have for q secret that
could be shared only by his nephew. for
whom he was believed to cherish an
aversion. and a hired man whose reputa-
ton. at best. was shady? Moreover, how
could that hired man hold an ak, figura-
lively speaking. over the head OF a man
so upright as Peter Somhers? Although
a retiring man. his daily life was an open
book, and his disagreements with his
nephew were the only features OF II
worthy Of criticism.
The power" must. then. have been held
pride magnified and which the world
would have passed over with little COM
ment.
1t was quite within the range Of proba-
bility that time came when for some
reason Jim Arms was I'm danger Of losing
his legacy. bis profitable berth at Over
look. or both. Would he hesitate in such
circumstances, to put an end to his en-
ployer and thus secure the legacy. and In
all probability prolong his service at
heard OF the man could not doubt that
he would endeavor to protect his own
interests at all hazards.
Granting SO much. was it probable that
disguised he was the man Jandyce
brought to Overlook? In build he might
answer Jandyce's description, I was not
sure. but could he possibly assume the
voice of "a gentleman" and appear like
one used to orderin?'
Granting. however. that Jim Arms was
Jandyces fare. how had he gained ad-
mission to Overlook without the knowl-
edge OF the servants? Did that point
explain Maggie conduct at the time OF
the crime and her present apprehensive-
Overlook. whether recognized by her at
the time or not. and to save him had she
later sworn falsely that she admitted no
one that day and that all doors were
locked?
1 had not yet fixed La Cour's place: that
is. why he was apparently in hiding
when in winton. The thought ran
through my mind that he was possibly
connected with the Somhers case. but 1
dismissed II after a little reflection as i'm
rv0 ho Ia Ua
man crook" who had by some chance
fallen across Arms path, and Arms. true
to himself. was compelling him to pay
for silence. OF him I should try to learn
abouts of the workmen who constructed
the south wing.
In the meantime had Horsford to deal
with. and as I tied my boat I resolved
to act Immediately and force his allie
glance or his enmity. AS soon as I had
eaten my solitary supper. therefore, 1
sent for Horsford and asked him pointed
ly what 1t was he feared that I would
learn.
Me? Fear you win learn. rir?'' he
could see In his eyes that he had ex-
pected and feared this moment.
Just so, Horsford."
"wot could there be. sir? You know
my life. sir?''
Il know what you have told me, and 1
know one thing that you have never
mentioned to me-Mrs. Horsford's love
for drink. Is there anything else?''
You know that. sir! You know 1t. All!
you ave sent fur me to say you will get
another man. I ave toll 'er 1t would
come to this. sir" Despair was written
on tho mans face and sounded in his
voice.
lis there norway to make her straighten
up?' asked.
"Only to keep her sister away. sir
She's as good q wife is Mamie as man
could ask fur when she lets speerets
alone
rs there no way that you can suppress
this sister-get her out Of the way, 1
mean?'
Horsford shook his head doubtfulIy.
Mamie would n ear to no lettin' FER
come SIR. The only way Is to get 'er
away from these parts. Tom. 'er 'usban'.
as q place waiting in Minnesota. an
wish to God e could get money enough
to go to IT. SIR
1 pondered for a moment.
See here. Horsford." said. presently.
81 don't wish to let you go II we can
get on together. But you must admit
you've not acted very friendly since
came. II you've got anything against
me out with 1t and I'll see what l can
do to make things right"
There's nothin' at all, SIR. nothin'.
Twas only Nannie's cups as made me
fear you, SIR" answered Horsford. ear
nestly. But that bloomin' Frenchie." he
ave i'm lingerin' about"
laughed.
III Gaspard Is your worst enemy. don't
trouble" / said. IT can promise that
henceforth he will transact all his bust
ness at the cottage with you. And now