Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-02-27

daughter is about all that holds you
up. That's what my man told me just
now"
.'He told you a lie." said Alden. but
with the same monotonous tone. as II
his utterance was mechanical and his
mind upon another matter. MY affairs
were never before 30 prosperous as
they are today"
That won't do" responded the cap
tain. II have positive proof
"You know nothing about It." said
Alden. 81 have other interests than
those Of my firm"
What other interestsT
al decline to answer"
Where did you go when you left
your office after sending that noteT
81 will not tell you"
"why not?" queried the captain In
bis most persuasive tone "Oh. per-
haps you don't know these other gen.
tlemen. They'll step into the hall or
out on TO the balcony. I've no doubt"
at will make no difference replied
Alden.
"what you say will be confidential
II course"
Captain Neale." said Alden. this Is
q business secret that Is worth good
deal Of money. IL should tell 1t to
any man. he could force payment for
his silence"
"You don't mean to say that I'd do
thing like thatY' demanded Neale.
II have 10 wish to offend" said Al
den. "but you want the truth. and you
shall have Il Your reputation. like
that Of many another man high up in
the department, is bad-as bad as
can be. Remembering that this busi-
ness matter Involves others than my
self. won't trust you with hint OF II.
That Is my last word en- that subject"
Neale's face turned red and white In
strange. irregular spots
"Now hear q word from me-" he
said "rve been looking you up. You
are a ruined man. You were engaged
to this girl and II was all that saved
you. But you couldn't be honest even
with her. You made love to this Elsie
Miller. and you neglected Miss Mac
lane. and she wouldn't stand for 1t.
But by that time you were so involved
with Miss Miller that you couldn't
break away. So what did you dot
Why, you wrote her q note telling q
fairy story about lot of money, know
ing that the note would be found and
would make the case look like robbery.
You told her how busy you were, and
FIVE minutes afterwnrd you quit work
and came up town. You had key to
this house; you came here
"Do you mean to accuse me OF thisT'
The words came from between AL
den's teeth, and he strode toward Neale,
who put the table between them and
drew his revolver.
"Wallacew he called.
A policeman entered from the hall
'That man Is under arrest" said
Neale. Take HIM In"
"This Is monstrous," said Alden, but
he spoke coolly. you shall answer
for It,"
"we'll talk about that LATER" re-
Joined the captain. "You 60 with that
man."
Brenda crossed the room quickly and
took Alden's hand.
81 will do everything that can for
you," she said. ''and for her."
You're coming along, too," said
Neale. "No; I'll stand by what I said.
Go home"
Alden opened his mouth to speak and
then closed II again. He turned and
went out of the room with the police
man, Brenda following Immediately
and DIR. Blair a moment later. Elmen-
dorf and Neale remained.
The captain dropped into a chair.
81 don't know as I done right" he
said.
Elmendorf walked across the room
and looked at picture on the wall be-
tween the windows. 1t was photo
graphic copy of Eeierstein's painting
Of 'Tantalus." The unfortunate king
who divulged the secrets Of Zeus was
represented chained to the rock starv-
ing while the fruit laden boughs waved
Just beyond his reach. 1t was a pain
full picture, quite out of keeping with
all else In the room, and Elmendorf re-
garded 1t curiously. A few lines, tell
ing the legend. were printed below.
and the detective read them.
'well, he looks it." he said, glanc-
ing up at the face Of Tantalus. "And.
by the way, Neale, you don't think Al
den did this thing, do your
mot ON your lifew said the captain.
"The case is perfectly plain. 1t may
be that didn't do the smart thing"
Elmendorf turned away.
"Arresting a man for murder just be-
cause he calls you a thief when you
know you are one" said he, isn't ex-
actly my idea OF wisdom"
Neale sprang to his feet and faced FL
mendorf angrily.
mot with me. Joe Neale," said the
detective. at won't work."