“It’s a plain case,” said the official to Eugene, after they had shaken hands, and spoken of the event in general terms. “Ross don’t cover up anything, but he thinks it is not murder to kill such a man.” “He was very much exasperated by the conduct of Buckstone. Has any new discovery been made?” “We have got a clew to the man who was with Buckstone,” replied the sheriff. “Ah! Have you?” said Dr. Bilks, nervously. “We have found the boat in which Buckstone and the other man came over to the island.” “Where did you find it?” “Over by the Point.” “How do you know it was the boat in which they came over?” “It was hauled up on the sand; there,” said he, pointing to the marks of the boat, “you can see the prints of the lap streaks. That deep mark was made by a ledge on the boat, nailed on to keep the bottom from chafing. I brought the boat over here, and measured the distance between the keel and this ledge, and it exactly corresponded with these prints.” “What does this prove in regard to the man with Buckstone?” “It proves that he landed there by the Point, for one thing. A handkerchief and a cigar were found in the boat. Here they are,” he added, producing the articles. “Do you know them?” The handkerchief had the letters R. B. upon it. “By Heaven! this is Dick Birch’s handkerchief!” exclaimed Eugene. “Impossible!” ejaculated Dr. Bilks. “He declared that he was not the person, you remember.” “But he was the person,” added the sheriff, decidedly. “Why do you say he was?” demanded Eugene, who would as readily have believed Dick Birch guilty of the murder as of the duplicity and falsehood. “Ross Kingman thought it was Mr. Birch.” “Did he say so?” “He did.” “Did he say positively it was Mr. Birch?” “Not positively.” “Let me see the cigar. Dick smokes a peculiar brand,” continued Eugene, excitedly. The sheriff handed him the cigar, and it was carefully examined by Eugene and the doctor. “That’s Dick’s brand, without a doubt,” replied Eugene, bewildered by the conclusion thus forced upon him. “Here he comes; he will speak for himself,” added the doctor, as Dick and Julia descended the rocks to the beach. Julia had expressed a desire to see the spot where the murder was committed, and Dick had taken her to the cliff for this purpose. Seeing Eugene and Dr. Bilks on the beach, they joined them there. “Where did you leave this handkerchief, Dick?” asked Eugene, as his friend approached the spot. “I’m sure I don’t know,” he answered, taking the handkerchief. “Where did you find it?” “Did you lose it, Dick?” “I suppose I did, if you found it, though I hadn’t missed it. Did you find it here?” “No; it was not found here,” replied the sheriff. “Is this one of your cigars, Dick?” “Yes; you can’t find such cigars as that at any shop this side of Boston; and I don’t think you can find them there now. That’s one of my brand. Did you find it with the handkerchief?”