Evening star., 1909-04-25

step backward, when Dennis, the elevator boy,
jumped up and seized Astro's arm.
Don't arrest her, dont'' he shrieked. Il
done it myself
You done it?" McGraw echoed
"Yesl Arrest mel" and the boy held out
his wrists imploringly
A STRO coolly took out his cigarette case and
lighted cigarette We'll, McGraw,' he
said. smiling, didn't / promise you con-
fession7'
McGraw, stupefed, clasped the handouts on
Dennis wrists. Miss Wilson fell, almost faint
ing, the bench. where Valeska put her arm
tenderly about her.
Well Dennis, you re fairly caught" said
Astro We known for sometime that you were
guilty but it's SO much more satisfactory to
have an out and out confession. Now III
And, so saying. he reached into the boy trou-
sers pocket and brought forth small Yale
key.
When did you find it. Dennis?''
- found it last week. sir, on the floor OF my
car
And you kept it thinking it might come in
handy. and perhaps get the night watchman
into trouble. eh' So you were jealous OF MIR
Mddlebury on Miss Wilson's account. were
your"
Oh it made me wild. sir l just couldn't
stand it when she told me he had kissed her,
and when l saw her going UP there tonight
went crazy
So you stole Thompson's gun from the
cellar. went up when Thompson was on his
rounds. opened the door with your key, and
shot Mr.. Middlebury?"
Yes sir! Dennis voice was faint
Then you ran your car to the cellar. threw
the gun into the furnace. then went up and
shot?'
Yes. sir Oh. was crazy was crazy
about heri
And you thought if you said nothing about
her, she would escape?"
Yes sir For Gods sake. take me away
don't ever want to see her again.
Patrol wagons come. sir. said one OF the
officers walking up to McGraw He laid his
hand on Dennis arm
"One minute, please said Astro Dennis,
my boy, will you please hold up your lett foot
Thank you'll" And as the boy did SO Astro
removed a spiral wire thumbtack that was i'm
bedded in the rubber heel of the boot
Whats that for? McGraw inquired.
THE law doesn't permit a defendant to
plead guilty to charge of murder. You may
need this for evidence when the case IS tried.
As the elevator boy was led away he looked at
him pityingly Cocaine, he remarked to
McGraw.
Sure Dope done it, all right He was
worked up to it. 1t may do for an insanity de-
fense "
Hes a 'rnattoid' You'll find his parents
The Seer turned to Miss Wilson you've had
lucky escape, too, my dear It's fortunate
that was here. -
"Oh, don't know how to say how grateful
l ami" she exclaimed.
"We'll drive you home,' Valeska volun-
teered Il know this shock has been terrible
for you. Do come with usl
SHE drew the girl toward the doorway and
- they bade goodnight to McGraw As
Astro and the officer waited talking for
moment, the girls entered the green broug
ham. But hardly in. Valeska returned to
the doorway hurriedy, McGraw had gone
inside
Il can't wait till we've left Miss Wilson," she
said. DO please let that paper you
picked up in the elevator l think see where
you got your first clue, now. Dennis. the
elevator boy. had stepped on it, hadn't he'
Astro took the paper from his pocketbook
and handed it to his assistant Family in
dented on its surface small spiral
The next Seer of Secrets story The Ven
geanee of the Pi Ro Nh" u1H appear May