The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-10-06
he said pleasantly. "You gave US quite
scare, young man.

Byrnes listened attentively while I
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 l 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 l had finished, the superin-
| tendent said:
II 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 we'll established, and if
Charles Sigmotta was dead, you could
give Graviscourt quite a 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 a 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 Wilberton and
Thorane 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
| 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" said. But the punishment
OF Sigmotta is not the end sought. 1t
is Graviscourt we want. do not think
we need to do much with Sigmotta,
who probably did what he was en-
ployed to do. l 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 l have nothing to do" l
replied. MY duty is ended the mo-
ment the truth is established. The
case then goes to Nita Barlotti and
her atiianced husband. Henry Thor
rights
Thorane smiled grimly.
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.
STE you nave Tue VeEHdCuldE llc
said, but l think l can show you a
better squeezing trick than that. Let
me have the papers, He rang a 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 and bring the
man here at once, if you can find him, u
he said.
The officer saluted and went out
In about fifteen minutes, during
which time l had produced some
turned with shivering. demoraliZed
opum-scented, whisky-rotten wretch
who quailed before the steely gaze OF
the superintendent Then his eyes
fell on the major and he started. for
after all the years, the fallen physi
clan recognized the man OF the world
Sit down. said the superintendent
ard the guivering wretch fell into q
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 side
look at the major to see il he nailet
the lie
IN! What was it before it wa:
Tortoni?" asked the superintendent.
The wretch writhed in his chair.
Speak quick" said Byrnes. 1T will
be better for you.
Il was born Tortoni," said the fel
low, doggedly.
"Ah! Then how did you come t,
adopt the name Sigmotta, under which
you practiced medicine?" asked tn
superintendent, blandly.
} The Italian turned ashy white an,