The Washington times., 1909-08-13
GEORGE NJ. A. CAIN

that this gentleman is the real Richard
Blake. The murderer"
Reason to know-reason to know, p"
her uncle interrupted. What reason
have you; why doesn't he show NE the
reason If he has any?"
The girl hesitated. Both she and Dick
knew that she had no reason that would
satisfy the logical mind of a man. Dick
had already given up the most salts
factory proof he possessed Of his alibL
And that proof had failed to convince
He cursed himself for having been so
foolhardy as to risk this trip at all. Had
he been a little more patient, had he
waited a month or two, the real muir
derer would certainly have been dis
covered, and no danger would have al
tended a visit on his part. Now he was
making trouble for Miss Martin as well
as for himself.
1t was he who finally broke the awk-
ward silence
Pardon me, Miss Martin. he said, Il
am perfectly willing TO go back 10 Jail
until / can bring evidence as to MY
identity and the time of nay leaving
New York.
Il am more than willing, sir''-he
spoke now TO the uncle-"that YOU send
for the sheriff or the constables, or
viii go with you peacefully ana quietly.
much, however, in requesting your
pledge to do all in your power to pre-
vent repetition Of the resort to lynch
law in my case.
1T might take me couple of days
10 bring a friend here from my home.
II is hardly reasonable to ask me TO
take chances on being murdered before
] can communicate 18th these who
could show me utterly innocent Or the
crime"
There was that in Dicks manner
which impressed the old man with his
sincerity. The impresslon was not,
however, sufficient to overcome the al
ready existing tremendous prejudice IN
Thomas Martins mind.
Yes the old man said, after a me-
ment Of studying Dicks face. That's
square enough. / don't see how you
can be anything else but guilty. 1 al
most wish
But I'll give you my word, If any
body wants to lynch you IN the next
three days he'll have to walk over my
corpse to do it."
He made a motion as though ne
were about TO seal the bargain By shak-
ings hands. but he could not bring him
self to this point, and Dick could not
blame him for IT,
''PH go down TO the courthouse with
you myself" he finally decided, and
they started Immediately.
Good by, " Dick turned to say TO the
girl.
But / shall go along" she objected.
You'd better stay where YOU are,
her uncle commanded in tone of disap-
prevail.
7 must agree with your uncle this
time. Dick laughed. as easily as though
he had been going to watch a fire. II
think you had better remain here"
No sooner had they reached the road
than the old man turned suddenly upon
Dick with the question, What IS the
story that you have been telling my
niece? If you really are innocent.
don't see any need Of your staying in
jail. I could get you of on bail IA a
minute. laws or no laws"
Swiftly Dick began to recount the de-
tails of his arrival ia Corn Centre, of
his walk over the mountain road, Of
his bath in Deep Hole and the robbery
Of his clothes. He got no further.
And do you mean to say" his guard
demanded, that you expect me or any
one else with a mans sense to believe
a cock-and-bull story like that2 BY
CAD, if / hadn't given you my word 10
keep of the lynchers I'm damned If /
wouldn't set them on you"
And once more Dick was brought
face 10 face with the fact that he had