Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-11-10
o~~~~>~~~~~0~o
The
QUARRY
N0NN
Bp JOHN A. MOROSO
Copyright ls11. By LtttiA Brown . O.
CHAPTER XIV.
Copyright iua By Litti& Brown . O.

CHAPTER XIV.
On the Trail Of the Quarry.
THE eyes Of Mike Kearney's
mother were becoming very
dim with age. Her old key
of Heaven" was now replaced
by q volume of prayer In much heavier
type. and she wore glasses during her
almost constant devotions.
As the detective captain in charge
Of the homicide bureau at headquar-
ters, Kearney found even less time
to turn his thoughts away from the
business Of man hunting. He had de-
veloped some excellent sleuths and
was beginning to feel pleasure In
watching them advance under his
guidance and training.
Kearney's only recreation was still
bis home. and the sound Of his moth
ers voice. with its pleasing bit OF
brogue. was his only music. But as
the burden Of her years became heav-
Ter the strength Of her mind was sap
ped slowly. gradually. She would for
get things that had happened only an
hour before and remember things
vividly and suddenly that had happen
ed years and years past.
Sometimes her tongue would wag.
She would wander from subject to
subject in seemingly interminable
monologues. Her old cronies tried In
vain to stop the flow Of her garrulity.
SO that their own tongues might wag.
but they had to give It up and so they
called less frequently.
But Mike. the apple Of her eye. to
whom she was all the world. never
ceased to pretend to be interested as
he sat with her in the sunny window OF
her spotless kitchen.
"Now l remember very WE'LL" she
droned with Quavering voice one
evening. without specific reference to
any one in particular. 81 remember
very well that she was quite fine
lady wasn't she. Mike"
"She was that. mother" replied the
son. dragging at his pipe. 'She was
grand lady"
mo. not at all grand" she protested.
"for she wasn't Of the ryalty kind.
She was quiet and nice and dressed 80
simple, was> the old lady whose son
was sint up"
The subject Of her wandering gossip
and reminiscence changed. and she
babbled on. Kearney settled down to
read his afternoon paper as she talked.
Her voice and her constant loving
kindnesses were all that he had in life
besides his Job. AS he noticed that her
mind was wandering to an unusual
degree a touch of fear crept into his
heart. He asked himself what would
be do when she was gone Could any
other woman take her place? BE
hunched himself In his chair. sign OF
his uneasiness.
Kearney had decided on spring for
his vacation time. During pleasant
weather murder. like hydrOphobia. Is
rare. He told himself that after his
vacation he would never leave. his
mother again. He had arranged for
one Of her cronies to care for her until
his return.
Kearney had made up his mind to
take trip south. He had clew. after
ten years of patient waiting. that was
worth looking up. The change might
do him good. and at the same time he
would have something to occupy his
mind.
Some one had placed headstone on
the grave 'ot the mother Of James
Montgomery. Some one was paying
the keeper Of the cemetery near Nyack
to weed the little plot and keep 1t
bright with flowers.
Careful inquiry had shown him that,
save for her convict son. Mrs. Mont
gomery had left no relatives. The
cemetery keeper had been cautiously
questioned. He said that through the
malls had come first 500 In cash with
a typewriter note to the effect that
a friend of the Montgomery family
desired the grave marked. Afterward
came other sums to pay for keeping
up the plot
The postmark on these anonymous
communications was "Greenville, ..
O."
Kearney desired to 60 to Greenville
and get in touch with the postal au-
thorities there.
Another letter would be mailed from
that town to Nyack. he would take
q glimpse Of the man who mailed It
He would clear up the Montgomery
case and he would hold the record OF
never having been beaten out by a
criminal.
A few days later Michael Kearney
registered ut the Mansion House.
Greenville's best hotel. as James
Flynn.
In his room he unpacked his grip.
Among other things he removed was q
long and wide envelope. 1t-contained
a letter from his inspector authorizing
him to request any aid he might need
In the name Of the police OF the city
of New York.
The big envelope also contained q
certified copy of the police records OF
James Montgomery. convicted of the
murder of Walter TruebloOd. night
watchman Of the West End National
bank. These records included photo
graphs in full face and profile and the
Bertillon measurements and finger
prints. There was also a warrant
drawn by New York magistrate
charging James Montgomery with
being a fugitive from justice and an
escaped convict.
The man hunter knew from the soft
sound Of the voices he heard about
him that his own voice would be IN
striking contrast. 1t would be futile
for him to try the pose Of southern.
er. So he let it be known that he wal
New Yorker who wanted to live IN
the south and invest limited amount
Of capital.
Kearney left the hotel to look over
the city. He coursed Its two or three
business streets much as hunting dog
would range In its preliminary rur
over a field.
He had not forgotten the testimony
of Montgomery that he was an appren
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