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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

Patsy was delighted at this refutation of the slanderous suspicions that

Thomas was a miser and his smiling face a mask to hide his innate

villainy. The other girls were somewhat depressed by the overthrow of

one of their pet theories, and reluctantly admitted that if Hucks had

been the robber of his master and old Will Thompson, he would not have

striven so eagerly to get enough money to send to Joe Wegg. But they

pointed out that the old servant was surely hiding his knowledge of

Captain Wegg's past, and could not be induced to clear up that portion

of the mystery which he had full knowledge of. So, while he might be

personally innocent of the murder or robbery, both Beth and Louise were

confident he was attempting to shield the real criminal.

"But who is the real criminal?" inquired Patsy.

"Let us consider," answer Louise, with the calm, businesslike tone she

adopted in these matters. "There is the strolling physician, whom we

call the Unknown Avenger, for one. A second suspect is the man McNutt,

whose nature is so perverted that he would stick at nothing. The third

suspicious individual is Mr. Bob West."

"Oh, Louise! Mr. West is so respectable, and so prosperous," exclaimed

Patsy.

"It's a far jump from McNutt to West," added Beth.

"Leaving out Hucks," continued Louise, her eyes sparkling with the

delightful excitement of maintaining her theories against odds, "here

are three people who might have been concerned in the robbery or murder.

Two of them are under our hands; perhaps Joseph Wegg may be able to tell

us where to find the third."

They pleaded so hard with the Major to take them to call upon the

injured youth that very day, that the old gentleman consented, and,

without telling Uncle John of their plans, they drove to Millville in

the afternoon and alighted at the hotel.

The Major went first to the boy's room, and found him not only very

comfortable, but bright and cheerful in mood.

"At this rate, sir," he said, smilingly, "I shall be able to discharge

my guardian in quick time.

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