Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-11-24

an IN blow your game like did once
before down at sydney
he struck at Tremaine again. but
the latter cpuing away and in an in
slant had brought the pipe down upon
his head Thompson fell like a log;
| then that lendish look flashed irso
| Tremaine's face for n second time; he
snatched ont a revolver: / dimly IN
derstood what was coming indeed. I
had my own revolver In my hand, and
I fred at him, but my shot went wild.
while his
She stopped and buried her face in
her hands. overcome for the moment
by the terrible spectacle her words had
evoked.
She controlled herself by an effort.
took down her hands
"He put his pistol away and stepped
over very close TO me.
Miss Croydon lie said rapidly. IL
will be well for you to say you did not
know me. I have committed no crime:
he was the aggressor; what did was
done IN self defense. One thing more
Your sister has nothing to fear from
me; 1 shall never bother her again;
promise You that
"IIe was gone in an instant. and
then the janitor came and you and the
detectives"
Godfrey nodded thoughtfully.
THAT supplies the motive. Lester"
he said. Il have felt that my explana-
ton Of the crime was not quite ade-
quate. But it was not only desire for
revenge that urged Tremaine on: II
was also the knowledge that Thompson
knew Of his first marriage and threat
ened with n word TO wreck his plans
second time"
yes" I agreed and sat silent, pom
dering the story.
why Gid YOU take the clippings.
Miss Croydonf" asked Godfrey after a
moment
Prom what you read Of them
suspected how vitality they concerned
my sister. That was a secret I felt.
which must be kept at any hazard. II
was done without consideration. on the
spur OF the moment. or 1 should never
have had the courage 10 do &c at all"
And why did you hide them under
the carpetF"
She laughed outright. The load was
lifted. She was fast becoming her
usual self.
Il had "a wild idea that you were go
ing 20 search me. I saw that loose
place I'm the carpet the instant / arose
with the clippings ln my hand once
I had put them there had no chance
at all 20 get them again"
Godfrey nodded
"You tried 90 get them the day after
the inquest didn't your"
Yes but the janitor was so afraid OF
me that he wouldn't even let me 20
upstairs"
And there weren't any papersT'
"No; that was lie ] saw / must
invent onc-that I must offer some ez-
PLANTATION Of my presence there"
Did Trcmaine keep his promseg"
"Not 20 bother my sister2 Yes: he
mentioned il again only 10 assure me
that the past was decd-that he would
never revive &C."
hut how could you admit his pres
ence hereg"
How could we prevent 81? IL was
Mr.. Delroy who brought him. We
weren't strong enough TO tell him the
whole story"
"Nou mean you told him part OF IT,"
There has been virtual separation
ever since Mr. Trcmaine appeared"
Godfrey paused redcctively.
"Why We're you so agitated," he con
tinued finally. when YOU were asked
TO identify Jimmy the Dude at the in
quest:'
Because I did Identify him"
"You dldT'
"Nes-as the man / had seen talking
10 the janitor IN the lower hall. Let
me explain, Mr.. Godfrey. When ] was
asked suddenly FOR description OF the
murderer. l was taken aback; / en-
deavored 90 think. 20 collect myself
and remembered the man I had
passed In the hall Without stopping
10 consider-wishing only TO disarm
suspicion described him roughly as
l remembered him. When I was con
fronted with him at the inquest next
day ! instantly realized what l had
done-I had implicated an Innocent
man-and IL turned me "A little faint for
a moment"
Had You ever met himT"
"Alet himl' she repeated in surprise.
why. no."
but lac seemed TO know you"
"Oh"-aud she laughed again. had
a letter from him next day, ii letter
filed with gratitude, touching even. IL
seems that my sister and l had helped
his family-a mother and sister-with-
out knowing it while he was away
AT Sing Sing He's the most expert
burglar in New York. but he's got his
good points too. Witness his taking
Thompson home that night"
Yes; he wanted 10 DO anything he
could 70 help me. l intend to look up
Jimmy"
DO If you can reform him the
New York police force will be mighty
grateful"
I'm going to try" she said. And
rather envled Jimmy.
Godfrey leaned back in his chair.
with a sigh of satisfaction.