Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1919-06-05
CHAPTER VIII.
A Note, Some Faneles and IN ExpedI.
tIon in Quest OF Facts.

A Note, Some FaneIes and IN ExpedI-
tIon In Quest Of Facts.
He started upstairs, his mind full Of
the events and cOnjectures Of the day.
As he entered the room his eyes fell
upon a white envelope at his feet. II
had been slipped under the door since
he left the room an hour before.
'Terse reminder from the prudent Mr.
Jones! His bill for the dayl He picked
lt up. glanced mt the inscription. and
at once altered his opinion. His full
name was there In the handwriting
Of a woman. For a moment he was
puzzled: then he thought OF Miss
Thackeray. A note Of thanks. no doubt.
unpleasantly fuls0mel Vaguely an
nOyed. he ripped open the envelope and
read:
I'm case / do not have the oppor-
tunlty to speak with you tonight, this
Is to let you know that the little man
who says he Is a book agent was In
your room for three-quarters OF an
hour while You were away this after
noon. You'd better see II anything II
missing. M. T."
He made hasty but careful exani.
nation Of his effects. There was not
the slightest evidence that his pack
had been opened or even disturbed. II
the little book agent spent three-quar-
tiers Of n hour In the room he man.
aged most effectualiy to cover up all
trees OF his visit.
Barnes lid not 60 to sleep until long
after midnight. He now regarded him
self as definitely committee to a COM
bInation Of sinister and pIquant enter
prises, not the least OF which was to
know about the mysterious young
woman at Green Fancy.
The next day he, with other dodgers
In the Tavern. was put through an ex-
animation by the police and county
officials from st. Elizabeth, and noti-
hed that. while he was not under sus-
picion or surveillance. Il would be nee
essary for him to remain In the ''baili-
wick" until detectives. already on the
way, were satisfied that he possessed
no knowledge tina: would be useful to
them In clearing up what had now as
sumed the dignity OF national prob
lena"
O'DOwd rode down from Green
Fancy and created quite sensation
among the officials by announcing that
they had . perfect right to extend
their search for clues 20 all parts of
bis estate. and that he was deeply In
terested In the outcome OF their In
Festigations.
The sheriff said he would like to
run over the ground q bit'' that very
afternoon II It was agreeable to Mr..
9'DOwd.
ODowd stayed to dinner. DINNER
was served In the middle OF the day
at Harris Tavern.l he made a great
impression upon Lyndon Rushcroft.
who. with his daughter. joined the two
men. Indeed. the palavering Irishman
extended himself In the effort to make
himself agreeable. He was vastly I'm.
terested IN the stage. he declared. As
q matter OF fact he had been told a
Thousand times that he ought to go
on the stage.
The little book agent came In while
they were at table. He sat down I'm
a corner OF the dining room and busted
himself with his subscription lists
while waiting for the meal to be
served. He was still porting over them,
trowning intently. when Barnes and
the others left the room.
Barnes walked out beside Miss
Thackeray.
The tailor-made gown Is an i'm
provement," he said to her. He was
thinking that she was a very pretty
girl. after ell.
~The frock usually makes the WON.
an" she said slowly. ''but not always
the lady,"
He thought Of that remark more
than once during the course of an afr.
srnoon spent In the woods about
Green Fancy.
O'DOwd virtually commanded the
expedition. II was ne who thought Of
everything. First Of all. he led the
party to the corner Of the estate near.
est the point where Paul was shot
from his horse. Sitting In his saddle
be called the attention OF the other
riders to what appeared TO be a most
significant fact in connection with the
killing Of this man.
"From what I hear the man Paul
was shot through the lungs. directly
from In front. The bullet went |
straight through his body. He was
riding very rapidly down the road,
When he came tea noInt- not far ]