The Lamar register., 1903-04-01
he said pleasantly. You gave us quite
q scare, young man."

| launched into the object of our visit.
Byrnes listened attentively while
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
attentively. with his eyes fixed stead
lily upon my face. Then | 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 as if it was the first time
they had heard these things.
When | 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 Graviscourt 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 fight. But
with Sigmotta's own confession you
will overwhelm him SO utterly that he
will have no loophole of escape"
THAT is just the way we look at it,"
| replied. land we came to you to get
your advice as to the best way to OBJ
tain Sigmotta's confession"
The superintendent thought q mo.
ment.
There is no doubt is there, major"
he said. that the druggist Tortoni is
Charles Sigmotta?"
Not the least replied the major.
81 identified him before Wilberton and
Thorlane went away, and Dambo's
statement verifies mine"
'Tortoni the druggist went away on
the same day that Maligni did," said.
81 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 to do with him.
Undoubtedly the man deserves the
severest punishment that can be
meted 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" | 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. | would be willing to let
up 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 Graviscourt?"
with that | have nothing to do" l
replied. my duty is ended the mo-
mSnt the truth is established. The
case then goes to Nita Barlotti and
her affianced husband, Henry Thor
lane l trust them to regain her
rights"
Thorlane smiled grimly.
would it not be n 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 | think | can show you a
better squeezing trick than that. Let
me have the papers," He rang bell
and an officer entered. What is the
address of the drug store?" asked the
superintendent.
| told him.
He wrote something on a piece of
paper and handed it to the officer.
Go to that address ard 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 shivering, demoralized,
opium-scented. whiskyrotten wretch.
who quailed before the steely gaze of
the superintendent. Then his eyes
fell on the major, ard he started, for,
after all the years, the fallen physi
clan recognized the man of the world.
sit down." said the superintendent,
and the quivering wretch fell into a
chair.
At the superintendent's command a
stenographer now quietly made his ap.
pearance and sat near his chief. with
pencil ready.
Wnat Is your name. asked the
superintendent.
''Tortoni,' was the reply, with side
look at the major to see If he nailed
the lie.
IN! What was it before 1t was
Tortoni?" asked the superintendent.
The wretch writhed in his chair
Speak quick" said Byrnes. 1T will
be better for you
81 was born Tortoni," said the fel
low, doggedly.
"Ah! Then how did you come to
adopt the name Sigmotta under which |