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Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

"

Patsy wondered if he could possibly close them. The eyelids seemed to be

shy and retiring.

"I seen what I seen," continued the little man, glancing impressively at

his attentive audience. "I seen Cap'n Wegg livin' without workin', fer

he never lifted a hand to do even a chore. I seen him jest settin'

'round an' smokin' his pipe an' a glowerin' like a devil on ev'ryone

thet come near. Say, once he ordered me off'n his premises--me!"

"What a dreadful man," said Patsy. "Did he buy any 'Lives of the

Saints?'"

"Not a Life. He made poor Ol' Hucks fetch an' carry fer him ev'ry

blessid minnit, an' never paid him no wages."

"Are you sure?" asked Louise.

"Sure as shootin'. Hucks hain't never been seen to spend a cent in all

the years he's been here."

"Hasn't he sold berries and fruit since the Captain's death?"

"Jest 'nough to pay the taxes, which ain't much. Ye see, young Joe were

away an' couldn't raise the tax money, so Ol' Hucks had to. But how they

got enough ter live on, him an' Nora, beats me."

"Perhaps Captain Wegg left some money," suggested Patsy.

"No; when Joe an' Hucks ransacked the house arter the Cap'n's death they

couldn't find a dollar. Cur'ous. Plenty o' money till he died, 'n' then

not a red cent. Curiouser yet. Ol' Will Thompson's savin's dis'peared,

too, an' never could be located to this day."

"Were they robbed, do you suppose?" asked Louise.

"Nat'rally. But who done it? Not Ol' Hucks, fer he's too honest, an'

hasn't showed the color of a nickel sense. Not Joe; 'cause he had to

borrer five dollars of Bob West to git to the city with. Who then?"

"Perhaps," said Louise, slowly, "some burglar did it."

"Ain't no burglers 'round these parts."

"I suppose not. Only book agents," remarked Beth.

McNutt flushed.

"Do ye mean as I did it?" he demanded, angrily. "Do ye mean as I killed

Cap'n Wegg an' druv 01' Will crazy, an' robbed the house?"

His features were fairly contorted, and his colorless eyes rolled

fearfully.

"If you did," said Beth, coolly, "you would be sure to deny it.

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