The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1905-10-05
he said pleasantly. 'You gave N quite
q 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 I 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 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 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 Craviscourt 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,"
| replied, land 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.
81 identified him before Wilberton and
Thorlare ven away, and Dambo's
statement verifes 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
tho nhcn1,+n fr,1fh in rnnnpI 70 fha
whole matter"
Il see," said the superintendent.
And armed thus, you will proceed
against G~raviscourt?"
With that | 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 affianced husband, Henry Thor
lane. l trust them to regain her
rights"
Thorlane smiled grimly.
would it not be a good plan to go
to T~ortoni'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 l think | 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."
he said.
The officer saluted and went out.
In about fifteen minutes, during
which time l had produced some
| cigars and we all sat smoking, he re-
turned with a shivering, demoralized,
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,
and the quivering wretch fell into a
chair.
AT the superintendent command a
s~tenographer now quietly made his ap.
pearance and sat near his chief. with
pencil ready,
What is your manner" asked the
superintendent.
"Tortoni," was the reply, with a side
look at the major to see If he nailed
| the lie.
I'M! What was 1t before 1t was
Tortoni?" asked the superintendent.
The wretch writhed in his chair.
Speak quick" said Byrnes. ut 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
you practiced medicine?" asked the
superintendent, blandly.
The Italian turned ashy white and
shook with fear.