The Globe-republican., 1892-05-16
The woman seemed i'll ct ease, he


Explain.
In few words Paxton told his FRIEND
and employer why he had determined
upon Marion's arrest.
He had proceeded thus far, wheI
Stanmore interrupted him.
But Marion Oakburn, is innocent
Heavens! You would not subject hel
to the disgrace of an arrest?" Stanmort
said.
"A human life is at state. have re-
solved that she should explain her con
duct or would surely arrest her. YOU
surely do not mean to ask me to stand
idly by, and see an innocent man con-
victed while there Is a chance to save
him? You cannot mean to ask to d.
that"
Stanmore was about to speak, but
Paxton continued.
If she is innocent it will do her nc
harm to tell the truth.
THAT is true"
Then why is she silent?"
Il cannot tell"
THAT is what meant she should ex-
plain"
Then Paxton went on to tell of his
visit to Marion Oakburn's home, and Of
the discoveries he had made there.
1T seems that she has fed, and yet
there is doubt in my mind, he said in
conclusion.
What! You think it possible that she
did not leave of her own free will?"
YES"
Then you mean she may have been
abducted"
THAT is my idea. It is possible that
the safety Of the real assassin or assas-
sins demands Marion Oakburn's dis p-
pearance."
Il am sure you will learn when the
truth is known that Marion has not vol
UNFAIRLY left her home. But am in the
dark as to how her absence can save the
guilty."
$50 at present am. But Marion must
be found"
Yes, yes. At any cost she must be
found-rescued. have a premonitiOn
that she is in peril. Her very life may
be endangered. Everything must give
way to the quest for Marion. Spare no
expense. My purse is open to pay any
sum you may require" StanmOre said,
excitedly.
Marion Oakburn shall be found and
Cuo uyoCcAy VI ucA uAooPPOoA oASO oOAvOo'
But seem to be doomed to disappoint-
ment at every step in this case, and 1t
may require time to locate the missing
girl"
A few moments later Paxton hurried
from his Office. He had resolved to try
q ruse.
In very brief space of time he stood
before Judith Kredge.
The woman had opened the door at his
ring, and she seemed frightened at his
appearance.
Paxton clutched her arm and said,
sternly:
I've found you out, and he produced
a pair of handouts, as he added: Tell
me what you have done with Marion
Oakburn, or I'll march you to prison.
Judith Kredge trembled from head to
foot, and she invOluntarily made an
effort to free herself from the detective S
grasp.
The attempt was useless.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Judith Kredge ceased to struggle al
most instantly, for she comprehended
that she was pOwerless to contend with
the detective.
Il don't know what you mean. I
don't understand. Release me, say!"
she cried, while her venomOus eye
flashed with the light of rage.
You know what has become Of Ma
ron Oakburn. Tell me where to find
her, or as have said shall place you
under arrest, and take you to prison"
Its lie! I know nothing Of Marion
Oakburn," retorted Judith.
She was regaining her composure, and
she had instantly decided upon the
course she would pursue in dealing with
the detective. She had resolved to be
defiant.
Paxton read in the expression Of her
hardened, cruel face that she had de-
termined upon silence at any cost, and
he comprehended that his ruse had
failed.
The detective had not estimated Ju-
dith Kredge's character quite correctly.
She was woman of more force and res
olution than he had supposed, though
he had given her credit for cunning and
unscrupulOusness.
The detective, Of course had no au-
thority to arrest Judith, and compre-
bending that it was useless to waste
words with her, he suddenly released
her and turned to go.
He paused in the door, and said in an
intense voice:
Il give you one warning, Judith
Kredge: If Marion Oakburn is harmed
in any way, you shall suffer. Hear my
words, and SO inform your cOnfeder-
ates."
Judith's answer was hooking laugh.
Paxton closed the door behind him with
a spiteful bang, and ran down the steps
to the street
He had not walked a block when he
came face to face with a man, at the
sight of whom he started and involun-
tarily recoiled, while his hand dropped
upon the butt Of pistol in his hip
pocket.
In the man whom he had thus unex-
pectedly confronted Paxton recognized
one Saul Hedden, a desperate burglar
and safe-blOwer whom he had hunted
down and sent to prison for a term OF
years.
In open court, at the time Of his con.
viction and sentence to imprisonment,
Saul Hedden had vowed that If he lived