The Washington times., 1909-04-05

thick-set man, walking in the opposite
direction.
Darn your carelessness!' exclaimed
the latter furiously. Cant you look
where you're going. confound you?"
Then the man recognized Clayton,
and his manner changed.
Hello, Stevei" lie said. 81 didn't see
that it, was you. Excuse me for get
tin so peevish, but the fact is I amt
feeliin' in the best of humor today.
Things amt goin' as well with me as
1 could wish"
The speaker was Detective Peabody,
and his tone was so detected that Clay
toms heart was suddenly filed with
hope.
What's the matter. Frank % he in
quired eagerly rs it the harrington
case that is worrying you? Have you
discovered that my friend Wilbur Leslie
IS innocent, after all? Come be a
good fellow, and tell me the truth"
We'll" replied the detective slowly.
and signing as he spoke. personally
1 am still, of the opinion that we've got
the right man-that it was your friend
Leslie that did the shoOting-him and
nobody else; but dU.rt mind tellin' YOU
that the big boss at y. ulberry street has
got the same idea as you have-that
it was that Hamilton girl as killed
Frank Darlington"
"G9Od," exclaimed Clayton jcvfullv.
We'll, you needa't feel so delighted
about Il, snapped the detective spite
fully. Your client amt any better off.
anyway. While the boss has got IT
doped out that the girl was the one
tnst did the shooting. he Is equally GER
tain that that fellow Leslie aided and
aDetted ner In other words, Leslie was
an accessory 10 the crime, and bein' d
lawyer, you must know that. even If
the boss theory is correct he'll go to
me enalr just the same as IL ne actual
~ did the shooting himself"
oh, no, he won't" retOrted Clayton
hopefully. cat the very worst he was
only an accessory after the fact-and
mat Is not capitol crime. III admit
mat ne may haV" tried to shield the
girl, after finding that she had killed
Frank BarringtOns but his only reason
Tor 50 doing was because he loved her.
Drlng IN a verdict against him. All
the world loves lover you know,
Frank. BY the way, have you found
that girl . etY'
so ALFRED worried. The boss has put
il up to me strong. He says that the
Hamilton girl must be found and ar
rested, and 1 can't find a single clue
she has managed TO skip out Of town
by this time. L suT pose she got away
on one of the liners that sailed from this
port yesterday. III get her, though,
Peabody" he added grimiy
Il hope you do" declared Clayton.
He spoke with fervor; for although
be had not forgotten Wilbur Leslie )
threat TO confess that he was guilty OF
the murder In the event Of the girl
being arrested, he had made up his
mind, by this time, that Laura Ham
ilfon must be found.
He must run the risk OF Wilbur being
1901 enough 10 carry out his threat And
after all, the latter's confession might
not render his case absolutely hopeless. /
Clayton had reco'iected that it was a
OF law tlat an accused man
could not be convicted on his own con-
iession unless that confession was
thoroushly cOrroborated BY other evil
1ence.
He was resolved to go into court. If
Wilbur was rash enough TO carry out
his threat, and tell the jury that tie /
confession was le-that the prisoner, !
had made il wj.h the chivalrous oh
Jet of saving the girl he loved.
4 hope that you do succeed in find 4
ng her. said Clayton 10 the detective. /
I'm going 10 give you all the help 1
IAN. That girl has got TO be run down /
and brought to justice"
After little further conversation /
IN the subject the two men parted, and /
Layton paid another visit to the home /
Of Laura Hamilton.
Have you found out anything new2'' /
inquired old man Hamilton eagerly.
Yes. 1 have found out whole lot. 1
IN the first place ] have discovered /
Who sent these poisoned candies TO Miss
''Ah. that is good work Who is the
1ilIain2 Tell me his nameEi Mr.. Ham
ltOn demanded ferceIy.
I can't tell you his name. 7 haven't 1
IL
he mysterious tail bearded man who
ried TO carry off your daughter in the 4
ed automobile last week
II suspected as much," rejOined old I
,Ould lay hands on the contemplate
coward "
Clayton then proceeded 70 compare
he red finger mark on the bottom Of
he box Of candy with the finger i'm
PRESTON of the salesgirl he had taken
IN the lump Of wax
BY means Of a powerful maEnifying
ems he was able to satisfy himself
nat both Impressions were made by
he same finger
If we can catch him." he said to
hamilton. you shall have the salts
action Of sending him 10 prison for
ending those poisoned candies
hanks 10 this little red smudge."
Have they found our little girl yet?"
inquired Hamilton, eagerly.
no not yet The police are still
OOklnB Tor ner.'
DO they still believe that she had
nything 10 do with that murder2''
inquired the old man, anxiously.
Clayton nodded grimly. He felt very
orTy for this honest old couple who
owed the girl as devOtedIy as II she had
eally been their own flesh and blood.
Tor their sake he regretted that Il was
ecessary for him to attempt TO fasten
he crime OF murder upon Laura Ham
ton. IT was only the knowledge that
be life Of his chum, Wilbur Leslie. wac
{ stake that prevented him from wish
ng that the girl would never be
aught.
Il am sure they are wrong" said Mr.
hamilton earnestly. Il am certain that
ur little girl had no hand I'm the shoot
lg Of her employer. BY the Wav. |,
Dung man, ! want TO ask you a 0ues-
on--a very important question
What IS it inquired Clayton.
You saw that peaTl-handled revolver ,
fter the murder had been done. didn't
QUIZ
Yes; examined it in the station
ouse"
do you knC W how many bullets had
cen fired from it?' inquired the old
IAN eagerly.
one. There was only one shot fired"
'Ho on are quite sure Of that2"
Yes, positive. The other chambers I
the gun were filed with unused cart
dyes"
THANK Godi' exclaimed the old man. .