Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-11-10
CHAPTER XIV.
The Sacrifice.

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CHAPTER XIV.
The Sacrifice.
n YELSON did not know the face-of
III the man who sat waiting to ad-
dress him. His visitor had re-
sorted to the old trick Of sitting
with his back to the light.
"Well, sir?" asked Nelson.
The visitor half rose in his chair.
"I'd like to talk with you in private"
be said.
"There is nothing that my secretary
should not hear" Nelson informed him,
surprised.
"Mebbe there is, MIR. Nelson," the
visitor said. with a suggestion of warn
ing in his voice.
"Wliat is your business. please"
The visitor approached the desk and
moved the right lapel Of bis coat as he
did so. {.
Nelson saw on the mans breast a
gold badge. After the first curious
glance he studied 1t and from the In
scription in blue enamel learned that
his caller was a captain Of detectives
Of New York city.
For the fraction Of q second Nelson
felt as though his blood had turned to
ice water.
Molly entered the office, and her
bright face brought him In fuller real
ization Of the tragedy that was at
hand. But his years Of self denial, his
whole life Of splendid control Of him
self, were to stand him in good stead.
"What is 1t now. dear?" he asked
calmly, smiling as she came to him.
II Just came in to tell you that the
girls are doing splendidly." she said,
sitting OH the edge Of his desk.
He forced q laugh to his lips.
~ am busy. Molly" he said in feign.
ed reproof. "There is a gentleman
here who desires to see me on some
business" She turned and gave
glance to the detective.
We'll" she said. with sigh. Il
shall be back in twenty minutes"
She left the room, waving kiss to
her husband.
"Mr. Adams" be said to his secre-
tary. you are excused for half an
hour This gentleman desires to see
me alone"
Adams put aside the correspondence
he had started to 20 through and left
the room.
mfr. Montgomery" begun Kearney.
II am Mr.. Nelson"
Cautiously Kearney abandoned this
line Of attack.
BEG your pardon, Mr.. Nelson" he
said, "but am looking for James
Montgomery. who came here about six
years ago. got job in one OF the mills
Us a mechanic and rapidly made q
name and fortune for himself"
81 never heard Of him." replied Mel
son, realizing that the change he had
made in his appearance had produced
uncertainty in the mind Of his ques-
toner. MAY ask your name and
business"
"I'm Mike Kearney Of the New York
detective bureau" the sleuth told him.
"You wish to arrest this man Mont
gomery"
YES"
"What has he done?"
Murder. He is an escaped convict"
"In such quiet community as this
we would soon know Of the presence
of man Of the criminal type"
Nelson rose from his chair and walk
ed to the nearest window.
His powerful motor was near enough
to the window ledge for him to spring
into It and be off in flash. The thought
came to him, but he did not act upon 1t.
"I've got Montgomery's records with
me-" said Kearney. "The Bertillon
system makes it impossible for an OFF,
Ger of the law to make mistake In
Identification. got his pictures"
He reached into his inside coat pocket
and pulled out the two rogues' gal
lery photographs OF James Montgom-
cry, QduuluS tuciu W th0 hoh cS%AhNA"o
at the window. Nelson's hand trem-
bled ever 80 slightly as he looked at
the photographs.
HE does not look like murderer or
Il criminal" be said. as II speaking to
himself. This looks to be the face Of
some poor boy. some country youth
who might have made one mistake In
life or who might have been unjustly
accused. II he committed any crime
there must have been some reason 9TH
-r than sheer criminal instinct. 1could
hardly believe this boy murderer"
He handed back the pictures to the
detective.
81 have his finger prints" said Kear-
ney. He drew the Bertillon record
from his pocket. His uneasiness in
creased. He mopped his brow and felt
"a II some strange. insidious influence
was at work within him to sidetrack
lin from the path Of duty.
Now. u man was suspected
wrongly Of being Montgomery" h'
suggested. ''that man would only hav.