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

sailed. lie said that developments
had been such that he was working
in conjunction with Scotland Yard.
and that he expected to be able to-
send me a very satisfactory report
within day or So"
Captain Francis Newcombe took
his cigarette case from his pocket
for the second time-but now he
calmly lighted a cigarette.
And So" he said smoothly, 'just
at the moment when, after four long
years. you are about to reap the
fruits of your labor you tell me to
co. Where? Into the trap waiting
for me over there on the main
land?y
NO" said Locke bitterly. Where
you will: you and Runnells-and
Paul CrenArre. Wen have no more
trouble from any of you here"
Captain Francis Newcombe paused
suddenly in the act of lifting his
cigarette to his lips.
- This Paul Cremarre you speak
off, he said. what makes you think
he is here?"
Because I expected him to be
here" said Locke shortly. He was
one OF the three OF you. He could
not very well form part of your
retinue as Runnells did.
He would have to come separate
ly, II know he is here because I
saw man wearing mask last
night. have reason to know it was
not YOU; and since superintendent
the packing of Runnells' baggage
self, i know-for reasons that need
not be explained-that 1t was not
Runnells.'
Il see," said Captain Francis
Newcombe. 80 it must have been
this Paul Cremarre-since the three
would be here together. / regret
that / was not fortunate enough to
have the advantage of your view
Point. even though you honor me
with the credit of having arranged
all these little details. And so, at
the moment of your supreme sue
cess; we are to COVE three. May
l ask why this change of hearth"
Howard Locke reached into his
pocket and took out faded envelope
that was torn at one end.
These" he said, his voice rasu-
ing hoarsely again. ARE Polly's
papers-her birth certificate, the
marriage certificate Of her parents
the proof Of perhaps the most
contemplate and scoudrelly crime
you have ever committed; say
Lerhaps. because, there may be
lower depths of beastliness and in
humanity of which only mind such
as yours could conceive. You know
where these papers were found
Besides using Polly as your cats
paw and your tool, making her in
nocence serve your vile ends. you
robbed her of her claim to even
honest parentage!" His face had
grown white to the lips, his voice
was almost out Of control. land
yet 1T is Polly-Polly Gray-who is
saving you now? l have no change
of heart. l never, even on that
night in the thicket, wanted to
square my account with you as I dc
now. But for Polly's sake I cannot
do it. L love her more than | hate
You. want to save her from the
sorrow and distress she would suffer
ii she knew the truth of what has
happened here; and above all
want to save her from the misery
and shame of having her name
| publicly connected with yours were
| you brought as common criminal
| to stand in the dock. And so YOU
are going-where do not know
| Not London. or anywhere else, as
| Captain Francis Newcombe any
niore-for you would no longer dare
do that with the police at last hot
| on the investigation of your career
But you are going out of her life
never to contaminate it again. Ant
this Is the bargain that 1 make will
you-that she shall never hear from
you again. l compound no felony
| with you. L have no power to hole
| You, even We're l an officer of the
law, without specific evidence of q
specific crime. That such evidence
Will inevitably be forthcoming i,
certain. but for the moment there
Is no warrant for your arrest. Yo,
Will make the excuse for your de.
parture as l have suggested-anC
later on brief notice of the death
or Captain Francis Newcombe ir
some distant place will account fol
your continued silence, and remove
You out of her life"
| Captain Francis Newcombe blew &
smoke ring in the air and watched
1t meditatively.
| Excellent" he murmured. "AnG
il l refuse? To save Polly you
would have to call your blood
hounds off,"
ut is too late for that" said
Locke sternly. And even if it were
not. it would be better that Polly
should suffer even the shame of pub
licity than that you should remain
in any way in touch with her life"
| Il see," murmured Captain Fran
els Newcombe again. But with ex-
posture as inevitable as you say it is,
| 1t Is too bad that Polly shoulder
nevertheless, suffer her share OF
this shameful publicity. whether l
go or not"
You fence WELL" said Locke,
! with a grim smile. Scotland Yard
sooner or later will know, but they
will not make public what they
know until they have laid hands
upon their man. It is your free
dom that is at stake. told you I
did not think you would venture to
return to London
Locke" said Captain Francis
Newcombe, softly. permit me To re -