Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-23

Frank Rice. millionaire. who was
found murdered on the eve of his
daughters wedding. The weapon used
was heavy cane belonging TO
James Kent, q man with an ungov-
ernable temper and an unsuccessful ri
val for Rice's most recent purchase
valuable book worth $4,000. This
book is missing, as we'll as one of the
wedding presents-a box containing
$4,000 in gold pieces.
Faith. Rice's daughter. admits the
jealousy of her cousin. I
Donald Maxson, who is reported
drowned but who is found hiding on an
island near by with one of the stolen
gold pieces in his possession, and is
questioned by
John BARLEY, crime detector and
best friend of the murdered man. He
is assisted by
Dunns chief, who has received an
unsigned letter contessng to the muir
der of Rice.
Pelt. friend of BARLEY. narrates the
story.
BARLEY Surmises
1t was some time after we left the
Hill that / ventured to ask BARLEY,
who was driving the. car. what he
thought of the chiefs message. To
me it had been perhaps the most
unexpected thing that could have
happened. l had long since made up
my mind that either Kent or Maxson
would be charged with the murder
in the end. l was unable to decide
which one 1t would be because the
evidence seemed equally strong
against either one of them, though
l leaned a little toward thinking
that Kent was the guilty man.
But now some one had confessed
that he had killed Rice. If it was
true, then all our theories were
eojd o.
He listened gravely enough to
what ventured, not replying till /
had finished. Then he simply grin
ned as he replied: It's all true
what you say. Pelt; the chiefs mes
sage is something we did not expect.
Still you want to remember that, in
every mysterious murder. there are
always letters saying that the writer
committed the deed. In the Elwell
case alone. l understand, there were
more than twenty letters of that
kind from as many different people
all of whom claimed to have killed
him. This may be of that sort
But why" 1 suggested, should
any one say he committed a murder
If he has not?'
He laughed. "Oh, it's the ply
Geological makeup of the persons
",
perhaps. Then again, have no
doubt that good many of the let I
tiers come from people who are I'M
balanced" ...Y
1t was only a short drive to the
town. The road wound by a little
river for a ways, a mere thread of
river. flowing between green fields
and tree covered banks. Then for
while the road swept up long
steady incline. dropping down at last
into the chief residential street of
the town; street with great elm
trees on each side, whose branches
formed an arch of leaves above our
heads. In a few moments we had
run past the Colonial houses, each
with its lawn and gayly ~colored
garden, and had turned into the
heart of the town itself.
We stopped in front of the court
house, massive building of granite,
which also contained the Jail Across
from us was a great park with its
close-cropped grass and a fountain
playing in the evening air. A band
concert had started and the park
was filled with strolling couples.
the music coming family to our
ears as we climbed the steps Of the
courthouse.
The chief was in his office. seated
back of a great desk. Dunn was
leaning over its surface and eagerly
talking with him. The chief rose
with an air of relief as we came in.
He reached across the desk for a
piece of paper. handing it to BARLEY,
saying, Il found this darned thing
when / got up here this afternoon"