CHAPTER XV. A PIECE OF BLOTTING-PAPER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1771, 10 November 1883, Page 5

CHAPTER XV. A PIECE OF BLOTTING-PAPER.

" You have heard the whole story now," said John Squires, " and Mr. Grant will show you the diary." They were in the office of the superintendent of police, at Albury, whither John, Oharlie Dawson and Mr. Grant, had betaken them- j selves soon after their arrival. The solicitor produced the diary, and pointed out the suspicious passages, whioh the superintendent read carefully. " You will notice that several pages have been torn out," remarked Mr. Grant. " Mr. John Squires denies having any knowledge of this mutilation; and you must admit that men who write diaries are not in the habit of defacing them, especially when, as in the present instance, they contain valuable memoranda relating to business transactions." " Upon what theory do you account for this mutilation ? " asked the^superintendent. " We can only aa.sumethat the forger-found it necessary to get rid of some entry w;hioh i clashed with his forgeries, and so tore' other' pages, in order that the absence of one might not be regarded as singular or suspicious." The superintendent thought for a minute or two ; then he said, addressing himself to John : — '„' I am afraid that my duty gives me no discretion in this matter — I shall have to arrest you two gentlemen." " That is exactly what we want," replied John, composedly. •'Game here" for no other object," added Oharlie. "We are just suffering to get into quod. You never saw two individuals more anxious to place themselves under the care of a paternal goverment than we are?' " You take the matter very coolly," observed the police-officer, with a smile.* " Why should we not? " retorted Oharlie. " Besides, it will only be doing us a kindness to look us up ; we might murder a few more free-selectors, if we were suffered to go at large*" " Going to gaol is not the real said John. "It is the being suspected of such a hideous crime, even by those nearest and dearest to one— that is the worst to endure." " Our friends do not comport .themselves very much like guilty men," remarked Mr.- ' Grant, to the superintendent ; " but lam sure they do not want to influence you to apeak for them on their trial. . You see, this accusation has been made, and it must Be met fully andJairlyJ- We want no favour, but, simple justice. >„A ll I ask of you* is that you- .will , render their confinement as little .unpleasant , 'as possible." * „ , \ „-, . . • ; VSPi course- 1 will. I dontt, mind* paying that Ilc&nriot bring myself ,tp belieye^in your, guilt,;,gentlemen; bdi ihe^eyidehcevagftinst; ,Bb*ryftpts»y»? y V:l\ j^V V~';ij4%i : >''' Jfs -K 7^

replied the Superintendent ; " but the Police Court business can be settled very quickly. We will arraign you to morrow, and get a remand for a week, in order to hunt up evidence about the murdered man, Boardman." Charlie looked-ruefully at John. " Over two months' gaol before us, old chap," he said. '{.That's a little more than wa bargained for." " It does not follow that you will remain in gaol," said the Superintendent; "for the Attorney general may enter a nolle prosequi, and order your' discharge, if he thinks there is no case to go to a jury." i- _ " See heje," said Mr. Grant, " under the circumstances, might we not, by mutual arrangement, manage a series pf adjournments in the Police Court, so as to be able to settle the matter at any time that ire are in a position to expose the conspiracy,- and prove our innocence ? " " That can be done,"" replied the Superintendent. "I will begin by asking for a remand for a fortnight. A deal oan be done in that time, i£ # you are active, and secure the services of a good detective." Shortly afterwards, John and Charlie were conducted to the gaol by the Superintendent,, and duly taken in charge by the governor of that establishment ; who, knowing them well, was quite willing to do anything to make their confinement as bearable as possible for them, and took measures accordingly. On the following morning, they were brought before the Police Magistrate, duly charged with the murder, and remanded for a fortnight, as agreed upon. Then Mr. Grant, having previously written to Sydney for a first-class deteofcive, paid a visit to Ettie. He found her suffering horrible anxiety, and fast lapsing into ill-health, notwithstanding the comforting presence of Tilly Davidson. It is true-that Miss Sprod strove diligently to undo that young lady's work, by never ceasing to re-iterate her conviction of John's guilt ; wKereby she hoped, as she phrased it, to "wean Bttie's affections away from an unworthy object." Mr. Grant presented a cheering view ©f affairs to the sorrowing wife, and even succeeded in bringing a faint smile to her cheek, 1 by a humorous narration of the interview with the Superintendent of Police. But Miss Sprod was not to be entrapped into forgetfulness of her duty. " Such conduct as that you represent the young man Dawson to have been guilty of," she said, " can afford no amusement to a well-regulated mind, evidencing as it does a callous indifference which is peculiar to the hardened criminal." " " That young man, Dawson I Hardened criminal, 1 " Tilly was up in arms directly. With a sweet, innocent smile, she said to Mr. Grant : " Have you ever remarked, Mr. Grant, that well-regulated minds, as a rule, are much given to believe ill of their fellow-creatures ? " Miss Sprod pricked up her ear 3, and snorted. "Young women, in my time," she said, " were not accustomed to insinuate/eproof to their elders." " Maybe the elders did not need reproving," retorted Tilly, flippantly. " Besides, it is so long ago, you know, and manners havo changed greatly since we have had a Queen to reign over us." " Don't, Tilly ! " pleaded Ettie, seeing that this last outrage had increased her aunt's wrath to such a pitch that she was capable of saying anything. " Pray do not ask the young woman to refrain on my account," said Miss Sprod. " I am prepared to make every allowance for an Australian." (To be continued.)