Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-10

Il saw a very devil spring into Ire
maine's face. lie looked about km for
some weapon and picked up piece of
pipe that lay beside the radiator.
Thompson saw the action and lurched
heavily toward him.
"'Gcin' t. use that on me, vicT he
asked. You'd better try it, And he
made a pass at Tremaine and tried to
snatch the pipe away. You try II on,
an I'll blow your game like did once
before down at sydney
He struck Mt Trcmane again. but
the latter sprang away and in an In
slant had brought the pipe down upon
his head. Thompson fell like log;
then that liendsh look flashed into
Tremaine's face for second time; he
snatchcd out revolver; dmly nm
derstood what was coming--indeed. |
had my own revolver in my hand. and
I fired Mt 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 Ivy an effort.
took down her hands
lie put his pistol away and stepped
over very close to ne.
"'AlisS Croydon he said rapidly. 1t
will he well for You to say you dill not
know me. ] have committed no crime;
he was the Hggressor; what did was
done in self defense. One thing moro
your sister has nothing TO fear from
me; l shall never bother her again:
promise you that
lie was gone in an instant aAl
then the jnnitor came and you and the
detectives"
Godfrey nodded thoUghtfuliy.
THAT supplies the mJtivn. Lester
he said. y have felt that my cxplana-
ton of the crime was not quite ade-
quatc. But it was not only desire for
revenge that urged Tremaine on; II
was also the knowledge that Thompson
knew of bis first marriage and threat
enCd with word to wreck his plans
a second time"
Yes" | agreed and sat silent. pom
dering the story.
"Why did you take the clippings
Miss Croydon:' asked Godfrey after a
moment.
From what YOU read Of them
suspected how vitality they concerned
my sister. That was secret | felt
which must be kept at any hazard. II
was done without considera ton. on The
spur of the moment. or | should never
have had the courage to do it ut all"
and why did you hide them under
the carpet
She laughed outright. Tie load was
lifted. She was fast becoming her
usual self.
II had Il wild idea that you We're go
ing to search me. saw that loose
place in the carpet the instant | arose
with the clippings in my hand. Once
l had put them there l had 10 chance
at all to get them again"
Godfrey nodded.
You tried to get them the day after
the inquest, didn't you?'
Yes; bug the janitor was 50 afraid OF
me that he wouldn't even let me 60
upstairs"
And there weren't any papers,"
"No; that was Il lie. | saw | must
invent one that must offer some ex
PLANTATION of my presence there
Did TremaiIe keep his promise?"
Not 10 bother my sister? Yes; he
mentioned it again only 10 assure me
that the past was dead that he would
never revive it."
But how could you admit his pres
encc here"
How could we prevent it? II was
Mr. Dclroy who brought him. We
weren't strong enough to tell linn the
whole story
"You mean you told him part OF IT,
There has been a virtual separation
ever since Mr.. Nrcmnine appeared"
Godfrey paused rchectivcy.
why were YOU so agitate,i,' he con-
tinued finally, when you were a,lied
to identify Jimmy tie Dude ct the in
quest?'
because | did identify him.
"You dilT"
"Ics-aS the man ! had seen talking
to TIE janitor in thu lower hall. Let
me explain, Mr.. Godfrey. When ! VG-
asked suddenly for description OF tie
murderer. | was taken aLack: | en-
deavored to think, TO collect myself
and | remembered the man | had
passed in the hall. Without stopping
10 consider-wishing only to di4arn
suspicion-I described him roughly as
| remembered him. Whcn | was con
fronted with him at the inquest next
day, | instantly realized what | had
done-l had implicated an innocent
man-and it turned Inc a little faint FOL
moment"
Had You ever met him?'
MET him?" she repeated in surprise
"Why, no.
"But he seemed to know YOU"
"Oh"- and she laughed again. had
a letter from him next day. Il letter
filled with gratitude, touching even. II
seems that my sister and | had helped
his family--a mother aud 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 to do anything ht
could to help me. ! intend to look VI