Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-07

talk to that detective FROM the
county seat"
He tafked to me-" Geofr chuekl-
ed. Kinder likes to hear himself.
don't heY Reckon he had an idee 1
might have done it. He asked me
every question he could think O
bout myself, and l expect I'm liable
to find him snoopin round my place
down by the crick most any time.
What do you think O him."
Lettys sniff was eloquent
II guess if il was goin' TO depend
en- him, we'd never find out who
killed Mr.. Bernhard" She caught
herself up suddenly. "Mr. Lane is
here"
Il heard tell So" Geoff's tone was
absent, for he was wondering what
she meant and why she had stopped
and changed the subject as though
sorry she had spoken. On whom
was the investigation to depend, if
not ON the local and county authori-
ties?
mir. Benkard's secretary. Mr..
Dunn, came while ago. tCo," Lefty
rema rked, after pause.
Seen him when he driv up, but
I amt spoke to him. responded
Geoff, truthfully enough. HE looked
IIlOSI do Ddu do OiO
They're Il good pair" she ex-
claimed. "Henry's in his dotage and
Mr.. Dunn's half-cracked about losin'
his own money in Wall street.
They'd both outIived their, use
fitness when we came on TO make
our home with MIR. Bernhard six
years ago. and why he kept them
never could see. though Mrs. Cayley
got kind OF fond of old Henry and
like him because he's willing and
faithful enough. l guess Mr.. Dunn
is, too, but il anybody was to listen
to either of them and believe a word
they said, it'd be downright foolish
ness
''Why?" Geoff asked mildly.
because they're likely to ina CINE
all kinds of things, now that MIR.
Bernhard has been murdered. and
make mountains out OF molehills,
thinkin' they can help trace the one
who did it! shouldn't be surprised
right now if one or the other of
or maxim Il mystery out of nothin'."
Except that old Henry's asleep.
you say, and expect MIR. Dunn is
busy with Mis- Cayley.' Geoff re-
marked. You come with her and
her daughter to New York, didn't
YOU? Where did you live before
that? l amt never had time to git
nowheres, only just round here"
Lefty bit her thin lips.
I'VE came from Milborough, in
Pennsylvania" she said shortly.
Geoff debated for 4 moment, and
then made valiant effort.
You couldn't have been with Mis-
Cayley long: YOU amt old 'nough
to've been out o school more'n a few
year.
He gulped when the words were
out and awaited the result of his
rash move with trepidation, but
nothing happened and after q brief
space he stole a sidelong glance at
her. To his surprise, Letty's face
had turned Il dull brick and a
little suggestion of a smile softencd
her sharp features.
age is sometimes deceivin',
Geoff." She laughed. not unpleas-
antly. I've been with Mrs. Cayley
since two years before her husband
died. and thatll be ten years next
september, poor man"
You workin' twelve year. If
anybody else was to've told me, Id
never have believed it," he ex-
claimed CALAMITY, adding: what
did Mis- Cayley'S husband do? Was
he i'll big deals like Mr.. Bernhard p"
The query was put innOcently
enough, bur Lettys smile disappear
cd and she gave him Il sharp, sus-
picious glance.
HE didn't Go anything. He was
an invalid" she replied, with an air
of finality. Mercy, l can't sit here
gabbin' all day.
She rose, and he did likewise. with
sigh which might have been an
expression of regret or relief
Nor me, neither, though it's the
first time we got kinder acquainted
l puttered round all mornin' dom
nothin', and now l reckon I'll move
my concrete mixer over to the gar
Hge and git to work there. Mis-
Caylcy didn't say l shouldn't and I'll
be out o folks way"
Hey, Geoff." Lieutenant Zcke
Foster came around the corner of
the house on a stumbling run. Seen
anythin' o. Doc Hood
NO. What's up" Geoff demand
cd. deserving his erstwhils COM
panion abruptly.
THAT detective from the District
Attorneys office has found where a
window o. that big empty room at
the front was forced and the lock
o the door broke! That's how the
murdrer got in last night"