The Globe-republican., 1902-11-06


told him the whole story, emitting
nothing which in the smallest degree
bore upon the mystery of Alice Gravis-
court and Nita Barlotti. He listened
attentive1y, with his eyes fixed stead
lily upon my face Then I read the
statements of Antonio Sigmotta and
Dambo and exhibited the pin and
locket with the miniature photograph.
The major and 1horlane were as keen
in listening if it was the first time
they had heard these things
When I had finished, the superin-
tendent said:
Il do not see that anything is lack
ing except the confession OF Charles
Sigmotta- You have now enough to
convict him. but it would be difficult
to connect the man Grav1scourt with
the crime The Identification of Nita
Barlotti as Alice Graviscourt seems to
be pretty well established. and if
Charles Sigmotta was dead, you could
give Graviscourt quite a fight. But
with Sigmottas own confession you
will overwheIm him so utterly that he
will have loophole of escape
THAT is just the way we look at it,
1 replied, land we came to you to get
your advice to the best way to OBJ
tain Sigmotta's confession
The superintendent thought a mo-
ment-
There is 60 doubt. is there, major
he said, that the druggist Tortoni is
Charles Sigmotta?''
Not the least replied the major.
Ct identified him before Wilberton and
Thorlane went away and Dambo's
statement verifies mine
'1Tortoni the druggist went away on
the same day that Maligni did, said.
Il do not know whether he has
turned or not
1T will not take long to learn said
the superin tendent. But first let US
get at what we want to do with him
Undoubtedly the man deserves the
severest 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 heinous.''
True 1 said. But the punishment
of Sigmotta is not the end sought. 1t
is Graviscourt we want. L do not think
we need to do much with Sigmotta
who probably did what he was en-
ployed to do 1 would be willing to let
| up 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 Graviscourt?''
With that I have nothing to do
| replied. MY duty is ended the mo-
ment the truth is established. The
| case then goes to Nita Barlotti and
| her aff1anced husband, Henry Thor
lane trust them to regain her
| rights
| Thor1ane smiled grim1y
would it not be good plan to go
| to TOrtoni's drug store and confront
| him with the facts we have already
learned and squeeze him until he
| squeals?'
| Byrnes laughed.
81 see you have the vernacular," he
| said, but 1 think I can show you a
| better squeezing trick than that. Let
| me have the papers" He rang bell
| and an officer entered. What is the
| superintendent
| told him.
He wrote something on a piece of
| paper and handed it to the officer.
| go to that address and bring the
man here at once, if you can find him, -
| he said.
| The officer saluted and went out
In about fifteen minutes, during
| which time had produced some
| cigars and we all sat smoking, he re-
| turned with a shivering. demoraHZed,
| opium scented, whisky-rotten wretch,
| who quai1ed before the steely gaze of
| the superintendent. Then his eyes
| fell the major, and he started, for,
| after all the years, the fallen physi-
| clan recognized the man of the world.
t-Sit down. said the superintendent,
and the quivering wretch fell into a
chair.
| At the superintendent command a
| stenographer now quietly made his ap-
| pearance and sat near his chief with
| pencil ready.
What is your name?'' asked the
| superintendent
'-Tortoni.'' was the reply, with a side
| look at the major to see if he nailed
| the lie
IN. What was it before it was
Tortoni?'' asked the superintendent
| The wretch writhed in his chair.
s-Speak quick, said Byrnes. 1T will
! be better for you"
Il was born .rortoni," said the fel-
| low, doggedly.
"Ah, Then how did you come to
adopt the name SigmOtta. under which
you practiced medicine?" asked the
superintendent, blandly.
The Italian turned ashy white and
shook with fear
DO you know why you were
| brought here?'' asked the superintend
emit
SigmOtta shook his head