The Yale expositor., 1902-10-31


told him the whole story. emitting
nothing which An the smallest degree
bore upon the mystery OF Alice Grayis-
court and Mia Barlotti. lie listened
attentiyely. with his oyeu fixed stead.
ily upon my face. Then ! read the
statements OF Antonio Slgmotta and
Dambo and exhibited the pin and
locket with the miniature photograph.
The major and 1horlane were as keen
in listening as II Il was the first time
they had heard these things.
When ! had hnishcd. the superin-
tendont said:
Il do not see that anything Is lack.
ing except the confession OF Charles
Slgmotta. You have now enough TO
convict him. but it would be difficult
10 connect the nan GrayiscOurt with
the crime. The Identification OF Nita
Barlott as Alice Grayiscourt seems 10
be pretty we'll established. and II
Charles SigmottA was dead. you could
give Graviscourt quite "A fight. But
with Slgmotta's own confession you
will Oycrwhclm him so utterly tAat be
will have no loopholc of escape"
That Is just the way we look at Il"
| replied. and we came 20 you 90 get
your advice as 90 the best way 10 ob.
tain Sigmotta's confession"
The superintendent thought mo.
ment
There Is no doubt. is there. major.
he said. that the druggist Tortoni Is
Charles Sigmotta?"
Not the least replied the major.
II identified him before Wilbcrton and
Thorlane went away. and Dambo's
statement veriles mine"
"Tortoni the druggist went away on
the same day that Maligni did" said.
II do not know whether he has re.
turned or not
1t will not take long TO learn said
the superintendent. but first let US
get at what we want 10 do with him.
Undoubtedly the man deserves the
seyerest punishment that can be
melted out TO him under the law. The
fact that his murderous intention was
frustrated by his brother does not
make his act any the less helnous."
True" said. But the punishment
of Sigmotta is not the END sought. Il
Is Grayiscourt we want. do not think
we need TO do much with Sigmotta
who probably did what he was en-.
ployed TO do. | would be willing TO let
mp on him for the sake OF getting at
the absolute truth in regard TO the
whole matter"
Il see" said the superintendent.
And armed thus. you will proceed
against Grayiscourt?"
with that have nothing TO do"
replied. My duty Is ended the mo-
ment the truth Is established. The
case then goes TO Mia Barlotti and
her afIianccd husband. Henry Thor.
lane. trust them TO regain her
rights"
Thorlanc smiled grimly.
Would Il not be a good plan to go
10 Tortonis drug store and confront
him with the facts We have already
learned aud squeeze him until be
squoals?"
Byrnes laughed.
~ gee you have the vernacular." ho
said. "but / think / can show YOU
better squeezing trick than tlat Let
me have Tie papers lie rang a ben
and an officer entered. What is the
address OF the drug storc?" asked the
superintendent.
told him.
lie wrote something on n piece OF
paper and handed Il TO the officer.
Go TO that address and bring tho
man here at once. II YOU can find him
he said.
The officer salutcd and went out
In about fifteen minutes. during
which time had produced Some
cigars and We all sat smoking. he re-.
turned with n snivcring. dcmoraliZed.
uplum-Ecoutcd, whisky.rottcn wretch
wEo Quailed before the stcely gaze OF
the superintendent. Then his eyes
fell on the major. ard he started. for.
after all the years. the fallen physl
clan recognized the man OF tie world.
"slt down" said the superintendent.
ard the oulvcriug wretch fell into
chair
At the superintendent command
stcnographcr now quietly made his ap.
pcarance and sat near his chief, with
pencil ready.
What Is your nance" asked the
! superintendent.
"Tortoni," was the reply. with n side
look at the major TO see II he nailed
the lie.
MI What was Il before Il was
Tortoni?" asked the superintendent.
Tho wretch writned In his chair.
Speak quick. said Byrncs. 1t will
be better for YOU
Il was born roTtoni," said the Eel.
low. doggodly.
"Ahi THEN how did you como 20
adopt the name Sigmotta. under which
YOU practlced medicine?" asked the
superintendent. blandly.
The Italian turned ashy white and
shook with fear.
do you know why you were
| brought hcrc?" asked the supcrintcnd.