But till that had been done, there could be
nothing to connect the preacher with the murder. All who had heard
the circumstances of the case were convinced that Mr. Bonteen had
been murdered by the weapon lately discovered, and not by that which
Phineas had carried in his pocket,--but no one could adduce proof
that it was so. This second bludgeon would no doubt help to remove
the difficulty in regard to Phineas, but would not give atonement to
the shade of Mr. Bonteen.
Mealyus was confronted with the weapon in the presence of Major
Mackintosh, and was told its story;--how it was found in the
nobleman's garden by the little boy. At the first moment, with
instant readiness, he took the thing in his hand, and looked at it
with feigned curiosity. He must have studied his conduct so as to
have it ready for such an occasion, thinking that it might some
day occur. But with all his presence of mind he could not keep the
tell-tale blood from mounting.
"You don't know anything about it, Mr. Mealyus?" said one of the
policemen present, looking closely into his face.
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