Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-15

BARLEY was silent for a moment.
his face grave and when he an
swered, he spoke slowly:
That's true, chief. it does. The
fact the book is missing and that
this man Kent once tried to secure
it. win of course, throw some sus-
picion on him. He has a number of
for his return to the house he gives
as having gone back for the bi1lfold
he left on one of the cases. He
claimed he did not see Rice when he
went back the second time. The
cane belongs to him and he did not
have it when he left the house the
last time. Yet he tells us the cane
is at his house now. Dunn tells US
the butler said it was not there.
know that, for it was the weapon
that killed Rice. All these things
Kent win have to explain"
Il had another theory" came
Interested. I asked, What was 1t
chief?"
WELL" he said, half apologizing,
'it was. it seemed to me. just as
reasonable as that of Dunn's to
think that maybe that young man
Maxson might know something
about it. He said, you know. Wait
till tomorrow He was up in the
room that night, also. This morn
ing he left the house early with a
package under his arm and the
money is missing, you know"
You think that package he had
was that missing box of gold
pieces?"
sure" came the reply. 1T
seems more sensible to me that Rice
was killed for the money than for a
book"
well" drawled BARLEY, III we
say he killed him for the money,
then who took the book?"
Rather warmly came the reply:
"Why he could have taken it II the
darned book was worth all that
coin, and 1 half disbelieve you. He
could have taken both"
BARLEY studied his fingers a mo-
ment, turning them from side to
side before he replied: That
The young man might take the
money, / grant that, but he would
not be interested in the book. Why.
II he took it he could do nothing
with it. He could not sell it. every
bookdealer in the world will be
watching for it and the man that
tried to sell it would be arrested as
soon as he offered it. On the other
hand, If Kent took the book. who
took the money? Kent would not.
He is rich man. Money means
nothing to him. He might have
taken the book-but not the money.
Meanwhile, both are missing"
Dunn gave him a shrewd look.
were taken by the person that kill
ed Rice?"
II don't know" was Bartley's
thoughtful answer. The fact that
both money and book are missing,
| rather puzzles me. Either one of
the two men you just mentioned
| might have taken one Of them but
neither would have taken both, it
seems to me. Then. again, it's my
| opinion that Rice's murder was not
| premenditated."
'"The devil you say" came the
| chiefs startled reply.
"Oh, yes, l have the idea that
| Rice found some one in his little
room, and a struggle started in
which he was killed. I don't think
that it was premeditated in the
sense the person was waiting to
| murder him. The blows were very
| savage, as if struck in sudden rage.
| But the money and book being
missing, rather puzzles me-"
Eagerly Dunn leaned forward In
his chair. Mr.. Barley" he said
suppose some one else took Them
not the murderer"
Yes" came the reply. Il thought
of that. But who?"
THE girl, the secretary" came
the quick answer. She knew the
money was there, she knew about
| G no rrnt
away with them both"
BARLEY half smiled, as he replied
You forget, Dunn, that after she
left Rice showed the book to five OF
six men. We are sure of that
Then again, if the money had beer
taken by her, it's loss would have
been noticed in the morning. She
could not have known Mr.. Rice
would be killed.
Dunn shrugged his shoulders
That's all right, but that boob
might have been there this morn
ing. She knew about it and was
alone in the room all day. She haC
plenty of chances to take the BOOB
after the murder if she wished. The
policeman who guarded the room
knew nothing of the book. She
could have got away with it and she
knew what 1t was worth"
1t was with a sinking feeling thai
listened to him. How much oil
what he was saying he believed
could not tell. though he seemed
earnest enough. l had not thought
before of the girl being left in the
room alone during the day. But
as her face flashed into my mind
with the fine eyes that looked al
one SO honestly, knew could never
! hal cI, l., Il.
missing book.
Bartley's next words half agreed
with me, for he said THAT is, OF
course, all true, as far as you go
Dunn. No one knows where the book
went or who took it, If you try ia
link Kent up with the murder, then
you must have a theory that he took
the book. There is no other motive
for him than that. He might, it is
true, kill to secure the book. If he
did, it was done in a sudden fit OF
anger, one of those spells of rage
he is noted for. But so far we can
not say. All we know is that both
book and money are missing.
hardly believe that both were taken
by the same person." He paused
took fresh cigar and turned to
Dunn with n question in his voice
Then you don't think now, the
murderer got out of the window"
The detective shook his head in a
puzzled manner and threw out his
hands in gesture. Lord knows, ]
don't. You say the door was lock-
ed on the inside. If so. the window
was the only way out, but l don't
see how one would have the nerve
to walk that ledge in the dark"
BARLEY gave him a look and said
dryly, You overlook the fact the