Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-06

uOlne! sue WOl run uWdy-lH UH-
swer for that Besides, there's nothing
against her."
Simmonds pondered a minute.
Eyes, suppose So" he said at last.
"Of course she'll have to appear ut the
inquest. Do you know her address,"
"Yes; q East Slxty-nnth street"
Slmmonds jotted it down in his note.
book.
"All right" he said. "You'd better
take her down to her cab"
"I'll see her down to her cab. What
are you going to do?"
I'm going to quiz the janitor and
then search the house. Maybe the
other fellow hasn't had chance to get
away yet. wonder what's going on
out there?' he added as they returned
together to the other room.
They could hear commoton Of
some sort in the hall, the hum of many
voices, the shuilling of many feet.
The commotion swelled to an uproar
as Smmonds opened the door and
closed it quickly behind him. Godfrey
heard his voice ra Used IN angry expos
tulation, and he chuckled grimly to
himself as he turned to Miss Croydon
He gazcd at her with interest, search
ingly, pondcring how best to surprise
her secret-at the bent head. with its
crown Of dark hair. Swallowed by n lit
tie velvet hat; at the rounded arms, the
graceful figure.
He paused yet moment. looking at
her, at the slender hands. the little ear,
end he pictured to himself what her
| training had been. how she had been
| fenced away from the rough places OF
the world, the unpleasant things of life.
Certainly she could never have com
mitted such n crime IA this or even
connivcd at 1t.
Yet she had lied-delbcrntcly and
distinctly she had lied. She had told
him that she had never before seen the
dead man. She had told Simmonds just
the opposite. Which was the truth ?
Doubtless the first Her first impulse
would be to speak the truth. After
ward. at leisure for moment, she had
mastered hor agitation, had thought out
the lie, and had uttered it with sur
prlsing calmnCss.
MAY see you to your cab, Miss
Croydon?" he asked.
"To my cab?' she repeated. half rs-
ing. Il may go, then? am free? You
have not
betrayed you?" he finished as she
stopped suddenly mo, don't intend
to. Whether you know the man You
der or not don't for an instant believe
you killed him."
"Oh. | didn't" she cried. 81 did my
best to save him. But it was done so
quickly. ! didn't understand until too
late"
Nevertheless" continued Godfrey
evenly, Il think you're wrong in trying
to protect the scoundrel who did,
The color faded suddenly from her
face.
ITO protect hm?" she fnltered.
I'm sure you know him. You could
place him In the hands Of the police If
you wished to do
The door opened and man came in
"a keen faced man Of middle age, who
nodded to Godfrey and threw a quick,
penetrating glance at his companion.
Behind him the clamor burst out anew;
various heads appeared in the doorway,
various eager faces sought to peer into
the room, but the newcomer calmly
closed the door and assured himself
that 1t was locked. He Hooked at God
frey again, then expectantly at the
girl.
Miss Croydon" said Godfrey, "this
is Coroner Goldberg, whose duty it is
to investigate this affair, and who may
wish to ask you some questions
"Only few at present" began the
coroner in voice soft and deferential,
as only he knew how to make it. How
often, with that voice, had he led wit
ness on and on to his own ruin. You
were the only witness Of this tragedy,
believe, Miss Croydon"
"Yes, sir"
"Are you acquainted with the muir.
| derer?"
mo, sir"
But you could identify him if the
police succeed in capturing him?'
"Oh yes. sir"
you have already given Mr.. Sim
monds description of him?'
Yes sir as we'll as could
"And told him the whole story?"
Eyes, sir-the whole story"
Except one detail | believe. Yor
did not explain how you came to be
in this room. Will you tell me that?"
Il do not think it concerns the police
sir
''You would better let me judge Of
that; if it does not concern the police
] promise you it shall go no further
| persist" continued Goldberg, "be
cause | think that perhaps the story
may help us to identify this man"
1T won't" said Miss Croydon, "bu
l will tell you briefly, this maj
claimed to have certain papers whicl
concerned our family. We had never
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