Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-23
ABOVE SUSPICION
ROBERT ORR CHLPPERFIELD
Copyright BY Ledger
William Dunn speaks

previous Friday he discovered what
he wanted. II was more than an
hour, however, before he succeeded
in extricatfhg himself from the
maze OF the subway. Then he pro-
ceeded along wide avenue far up
town where very new. very ntmsy
looking apartment houses stretched
in unbroken lines, save Tor the cross
streets which fntersected them. Be-
fore an older, less pretentious build
ing of plain red brick, dingy, but
preserving q sort Of dignity OF Its
own, he paused hesitant. At that
moment q man came down the steps
and strobe of without q glance at
him. He was q man verging on
middle age, with q smartly clipped
gray moustache; his clothes seemed
.too new and stylish for him to
have become altogether accustomed
to him, and his hands were big and
red.
0eoft gave one quick look at the
departing figure and then ducked
into the vestibule. What did
IMahoney. the private detective
whom Newbury had provided for
Mrs. Cayley, want with the murder
led mans secretary, William Dunn?
y Geoff found the name he sought
ON q card inserted in brass plate
above one Of the bells in the row
on the wall OF the vestibule. and
stressed the button. Almost i'm
nnediately the door clicked. and he
entered the dark, narrow entrance
hall. groping his way to the stairs.
All at once a voice called down to
him emphatically through the
gloom:
III you have come back to attempt
any further argument, Il is useless
/ am through for all time with the
people you represent"
Could those firm, almost ringing
tones have emanated from the lips
OF the meek, self cling secretary?
Geoff called back In reassuring re-
sponse:.
FITS me, Mr.. Dunn. Godfrey
Peters from Sunny Beach. Gould l
see you for n minute"
There came. n momentary pause,
an audible gasp OF surprise, and
then William Dunn replied in some
confusion:
"Geoffrey? Why. of course! Come
right up. II mistook you Tor
someone who was just here
Geoff assembled, and near the top
Of the second flight Of stairs he saw
tho familiar slender. stoop- shoulder
ed figure, peering over the balus-
trade. Outlined against the sunset
glow. which came through the
open door OF an apartment behind
him. the secretary appeared more
frail than ever. When he turned
toward the light. in offering his hand
TO his guest. the other saw that
years seemed to have been added to
his prematurely aged face during
the two days which had elapsed
since they last talked together at
the side OF the brook.
Il hope you'll excuse me for land
in in on you like this" GcOff
apologized rs they shook hands. Il
amt got no business to, specially
as you amt got no more connection
with the folks down there and likely
want to forgit bout the hull affair.
but KNOWN | was goin' to run up
to town today. Doc Hood asked me
to try to see you"
I'm glad you came, Geoffrey."
Tnmistakable sincerity sounded in
tho nervously eager tone. as his
host led the way into the tiny apart
ment The entrance door opened
directly into living room. the VIM
dows of which revealed view OF
the river and the setting sun. and
Geoff paused I'm involuntary sur
prise ut the luxurious furnishings
and appointments about him. Not
even Mrs Cayley herself. nor any
of the other wealthy summer resi-
dents who had gradually settled
along the shore of the sleepy little
village, apd in whose homes he had
foen called to make occasional re-
PAIRS. could boast OF such elegance.
In the midst of his household gods
tho shrunken little man seemed to-
take on Il sudden dignity and poise,
as X gaining confidence from his
surroundings. Put your hat here
and take that chair over there;
youll find it cool by the window"
These are e few of the things /
saved from the wreck at the time OF
my failure. and although they are
not I'm keeping with this apart
ment in which ] live, like to have
them about me-
Il should think you would" Geo:f
remarked simply. They're grand,
though 1 don't know much bout
sech things. MIR. Dunn. there's n
lot been happenin' down to Sunny
Beach since you've been gone. For
ono thing, I got discharged"
He made the announcement with
out rancor. and Dunn raised his eye
brows slightly.
discharged But Mrs. Cayley
was delighted with the work you
were doing and she told me that
you had been OF great help to her
when the tragedy was first discover
ed
"She hadn't no fault to find with
me: IL was MIR. Lane. He got n
notion that was dep'ty o Doc
Hoods just because he see the doc
and me talkin' together. and he
kinder thought I was prNin' into the
family affairs and gossipin' too
much. so he advised Mis- Cayley to
git rid O me-
,"I-see" Dunn's tone was non
committal. and his guest went on
placidly:
Cant blame him none. He don't
know that the docs been my best
friend since | first growed up and
it's material for him TO talk over his
cases with me now that he's medical
examiner. That's how come to
have time to tend to n little bust.
ness in the city afore I start on q
new Job that's waifn' for me"
'It there is anything that I can
do for DIR. Hood. shall he glad ia
oblige him: In fact, l shall consider
1T a moral duty" remarked Dunn
"You said that he asked you to
come to me?"
"Yes. You see, the District At
torncy O. our county Amt waited
for his full report, but went ahead
and made an arrest for the muir
der"
Arrest" Dunn started for
ward in his chair, IT know nothing
vt It, There has not been a hint
In the papers. Who---?"
He paused, as IL unable TO con-
tinue. and Geon replied to the un-
finished question.