Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-20

which had fallen to the floor.
'Wait minutew exclaimed Neale.
you're Alden-Clarence NJ. AldenT
yes"
"Well. I want to talk to you. Wait!
If you 20 down there, you can't get in
nor find out anything; that's orders
You'll get more information here"
as she lving?' demanded Alden.
yes" replied the captain. "If she
dies, | shall know Of it within five min.
utes, and that's quicker than you could
learn Of it anywhere else. Let me man
age this. I'll take good care Of you.
III see that you get every word Of
news. Meanwhile let's get down to
business. You sent that note to herW
81 did"
"with $500 in it?"
Eyes"
"When?"
cat ten minutes after sent it by
John Robinson, clerk in my office"
where is he now?"
81 don't know" answered Alden. AZ
didn't wait for him to come back.
Now, answer my question. Who did
this thing?"
Neae spread his hands abroad with
grotesque gesture intended to dis
claim the possession of the informa-
ton.
We're all at sea-" he said. Some
body got into this room and stabbed
the girl with this knife"
MOT
had lain on the table and disclosed
the weapon beneath it. The long
blade was open and yisibly stained
with blood Brendas hand had been
within six inches of it, and at the
sight she started back with such alarih
that Or. Blair stretched out his arm
to support her. She did not fall, how
ever, but stood rigid. staring at Alden.
The color rushed to his face. He put
up his hand and pushed back the tan
gle of light brown hair that was lying
moist upon his forehead.
Recognize it," said Neale, with his
mirthless grin.
same repressed and steady tone that
he had used throughout this scene.
81 gave it to her."
"When?"
"A few days ago" said Alden. II
don't exactly remember"
Queer present" rejoined the cap
tain, for a girl"
She was cutting some pictures out
of the magazines" replied Alden. II
happened to have the knife in my
pocket. She used it, and | didn't take
il back"
The captain slowly nodded his head,
as one who has reached the end of q
topic and is preparing for the next.
And now" said he. how long have
you known this young lady"
lie waved his hand toward Brenda.
Il have known Miss Maclane a long
time" said Alden. why do you ask p
Miss Maclane, eh?" said the cap
tain, elevating the strange tufts of
| parti colored hair that were his eye
brows. Il understood that her name
WAS Williams"
Il have done an absurdly foolish
thing" said Brenda, addressing Alden
81 was afraid my name would be pub
lished. and so l tried to deceive these
people"
Big mistake" rejoined Captain
Neale, shaking his head solemnly
This whole story will have to come
'out, and if the facts are known to the
police at the start it will come out
straight; otherwise there's no telling
what the reporters will do with it,"
There is no reason whatever" said
Alden, "why Miss Maclane should be
brought into this affair"
There isn't, ehW said the captain
"Why Is she here? sympathy for q
woman that she says she never saw
No; guess we'll have to have some
thing better
'If you don't get it." said Alden
what then?"
'I'll have to hold her as witness"
you mean that you will put me un
der arrest?" demanded Brenda. heI
face and even her lips absolutely color
less.
"Pll have to-" said the captain.
"And suppose that l answer all YOU
questions now?" she asked
Neale struck his hand down upon thu
table.
You can go home just as soon
you've done It," he declared, and u
that moment a man in plain clothe'
but with the unmistakable stamp {
the police upon him, entered the rool
and saluted his superior.
| Excuse me for minute" sai'