The Holly chieftain., 1903-04-03

most exqtisitely happy. contented and
esotisticallly satisfied Individual in
the universe.
On the day following that upon
which we arrived l., New York, .
party Of three weHded our way to
number 800 Mulberry street. and upon
presentation OF our names were ush
cred into tle presence of Superintend.
ent Byrnes of the Metropolitan Po-
lice. His grim face softened with .
smile when he saw US, and he held out
. brawny hand that nearly crushed
mine rs he greeted me.
80 the dead has returned to iife."
he said pleasantly. You gave us quite
a scare. young man"
mot superintendent, but my
friends did 1t for me-" ! replied. Then
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 Thorlane were as keen
In listening as IL 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 1t would be- difacult
to connect the man Grayiscourt with
the crime. The Identification of Nita
Barlotti as Alice Graviscourt seems to
be pretty well established, and II
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.,
l replied, "and 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?'
mot the least" replied the major.
Il identified him before WilbeYton and
Thorlane went away. and Dambo's
statement verifies mine."
"Tortoni the druggist went away on
the same day that Maligni did," said.
Il 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"
replied. my duty Is ended the mo-
ment the truth is established The
case then goes to Nita Barlotti and
her afaanced husband, Henry Thor.
lane. trust them to regain her
rights" ~
Thorlane smiled grimly.
Would 1t not be good plan to go
to Tortonl's drug store and confront
him with the facts we have already
learned and squeeze him until he
squeals?"
Byrnes laughed.
Il see you have the vernacular," he
said, "but think l can show you a
better squeezing trick than that. Let
me have the papers," He rang bell
and an oficer entered. What Is the
address Of the drug store?" asked the
superintendent.
told him.
He wrote something on . piece OF
paper and handed 1t to the oficer.
Go to that address and bring the
man here at once, II you can hnd him."
he said.
The omcer saluted and went out.
In about fifteen minutes, during