Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-22

Frank Rice. millionaire. who was
found murdered on the eve OF his
daughters wedding. The weapon used
vas a heavy cane belonging TO
Jamcs Kent, man with an ungov-
eInable temper and an unsuccessful ri
Nai for Rices most recent purchase-
a valuable book worth $30,O0o TINS
book is missing, as we'll as one OF the
wedding preseHts-a box containing
S5pD0 IN gold pieces.
Faith. Rice daughter, admits the
jealousy OF her cousin.
Donald Maxson. who Ia reported
tirfwned but who il found hiding on an
island near by with one OF the stolen
Kcld pieces in his possession. and Is
Questioned by
John BARLEY. crime detector and
hSSf friend Of the murdered man. lie
Dunn. town detective. and by
rHail and Wells, two detectives who
ScSe in the house at the time OF the
murder, hired to guard the wedding
sPelt. friend of BARLEY, narrates the
story.
The chiefs hand dropped from
the young mans arm as he asked:
"S-ou did What for?'
sBunn's voice had an excited tone.
s5Thy, about two hours ago. he came
mining down TO the dock just
Sionington. You know, we told him
not TO leave the state. / knew IL he
got over In Stonington, out of the
state. We would have a hot time
getting him back. SO / stopped him.
asked him where he was going.
BARLEY half grinned, asking,
sAthat did he say"
.He was mad. said il was none of
my business. l reminded him about
1913 not leaving the state and he
raid the state could go TO the devil.
40 | simply arrested him and took
lin up TO the Jail When l search
al. him he had tickets for New York
and a chair on the knickerbocker
Express
saw the chief steal a look at
the Young man. then his eyes came
10 hartley. In them was a question
ing look. The chief. l knew. was
more than ever sure that the young
man had committed the crime, yet
lis detective had arrested another
man for II. What he should do
seemed to he the thing that bothered
him.
II was Barley that broke the ST.
lencc. What charge did YOU place
against Kent
Dunn half grinned. Well. II / had
-,.,> way It would be murder. But
] was a wise guy and have him
down on the books as resisting an
officer of the law, l knew we could
bold him Il while on that"
BARLEY nodded and smiled. /
could see that for some unknown
q leason he was not surprised. Yet l
myself was perplexed. Though Dunn
had Kent in the JAIL | knew that the
: charge he held him on meant moth
ing and that he believed he was the
murderer. Yet the chief was convinced
that the young man was the guilty
one. The arrest OF Kent would
block the chief taking similar meas
.tircs with Maxson. for It would be
almost impossible 10 hold both
men. Yet 1t was Bartley's at
titude that troubled me. He took
both OF the circumstances as a
MISTER OF course and / would have
given a good deal 10 know just what
he thought.
Aftet few moments converse
ton we left them. The chief had
decided to take the young man TO
the town for further questioning
and BARLEY and the chief had
talked in a low voice for several
moments. When they finished he
went over 10 Maxson and spoke to
linn. l could not hear what he
said, but / noticed the frightened
look left the young mans eyes and
he went with the chief willingly.
We came from the dock into the
Main street, now crowded with cars
and people. The Afternoon parade
was on and we noticed almost every
one riding down the long street.