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Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

"

"We will take it, if you please," answered Louise. But as he wrapped it

into a neat parcel she made one more effort.

"What sort of a young man was Joseph Wegg?"

"Joe? A mere boy, untried and unsettled. A bright boy, in his way, and

ambitious to have a part in the big world. He's there now, I believe."

He spoke with an air of relief, and handed Louise the parcel.

"Thank you, young ladies. Pray call again if I can be of service to

you," he added, in a brisker tone.

They had no recourse but to walk out, which they did without further

words. Indeed, they were all three silent until they had left the

village far behind and were half way to the farm.

Then Patsy said, inquiringly:

"Well, girls?"

"We have progressed," announced Louise, seriously.

"In what way?"

"Several things are impressed upon my mind," replied the girl. "One is

McNutt's absurd indignation when he thought we hinted that he was the

murderer."

"What do you make of that?" queried Patsy.

"It suggests that he knows something of the murder, even if he is

himself wholly innocent. His alibi is another absurdity."

"Then that exonerated Old Hucks," said Patsy, relieved.

"Oh, not at all. Hucks may have committed the deed and McNutt knows

about it. Or they might have been partners in the crime."

"What else have you learned, Louise?" asked Beth.

"That the man West knows what became of the money."

"He seems like a very respectable man," asserted Patsy.

"Outwardly, yes; but I don't like the cold, calculating expression in

his eyes. He is the rich man of this neighborhood. Do you suppose he

acquired a fortune honestly in this forsaken district, where everyone

else is poor as a church mouse?"

"Seems to me," said Patsy, discontentedly, "that the plot thickens, as

they say in novels. If we interview many more people we shall find

ourselves suspecting an army."

"Not at all, my dear," replied Louise, coldly. "From our present

knowledge the murder lies between the unknown avenger and Hucks, with

the possibility that McNutt is implicated.

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