The Washington times., 1909-03-15

endeayorine to cover up what ] did
by some fictitious yarn. 1 took the
money. and that is all there is to the
mater.
You acknowledge that you stole
the Thousand dollars?"
Il took if, calmly replied Nelson,
as he raised his eyes and looked
suuarely into those Of the man before
him
The captain returned his gaze with
a close scrutiny which meant that for
once he couldn't understand signs which
were generally so easily read by him.
''Why do you tell me this?' he asked
at last
For the reason that there is moth
else to be .old," returned Nelson
You don't mind being detained IN
the police station?' asked the captain
eeNot at all. I quite expected it, re-
piled Nelson.
Then you were prepared to be ar
rested?'' persisted the captain. whose
interest had only been increased by
the manner Of the man before him
He determined to sift the Wharton
Nelson case to the very bottom Some
thing about Nelson convinced him that
there was a great mistake somewhere:
him make out
'And you refuse to send for your
lawyer?'' went on the captain.
81 have never admitted that have
lawyer" answered Nelson, who was
not be to trapped by catch questions
in that way.
II see. You're a pretty keen one"
commented the captain Come now.
own UP. I'm your friend. You can
trust me- 1t isn't often 1 insist that
man is innocent when he acknowl-
edges that he is guilty. But. TO tell
the truth, you can't make mo believe
you took that money. You didn't take
it, did your
1T is useless to argue on that point
replied Nelson. Certainly 1 took the
money Why ask me the same old
question so many times? I gave it TO
Mrs Wharton and she carried it home
in her bag. She told you that I de-
livered 1t to her"
Nelson lapsed into a gloomy silence.
| His thoughts were evidently working
| fast and they were not pleasant ones.
There's something wrong exclaiIn-
ed the captain with decision You
/ couldn't be an ordinary thief"
| IT have never pretended to pose as
( such,' replied Nelson
"Oh, then you are new to the camel"
4 exclaimed the captain
IT never took money in this way be-
FORE evasively answered Nelson.
The captain hesitated. He wondered
If he were on the point of making a
mistake.
Live in New York?'' ne asked, once
more resunning his scrutiny of Nelson.
Eyes. i've here" replied the pris-
oner
And you don't want to see your law
yer" continued the captain. trying once
more to make Nelson commit himself.
II tell you, / have no lawyer" an
swered the other.
There is something familiar about
your face" resumed the captain. I'm
sure I have seen it before
He paused at a propitious moment.
but the prisoner vouchsafed no infor-
nation.
The captain opened the door TO the
| adjoining room.
Sergeant he called in a command
ing voice.
A policeman entered and stood await
ing the rext word.
The captain pointed 10 Nelson and
said to the officer:
Sergeant. you know the face Of ev-
/ erybody who has ever done anything
Before he could proceed further, Mel
son smiled and then laughed.
This is no laughing matter, Mr.. Mel
son." continued the captain. ''If this
man knows you, you might as well give
upY'
But have given up already" said
Nelson.
His voice was as calm and low in
pitch as if he had been exchanging
the ordinary salutations of the day with
some acquaintance.
The captain continued to address this
sergeant
Nobody can fool you" he said. "It
seems TO me that I have seen this
mans face somewhere. Look at him
carefully. Do you know him?''
There was a tense silence for few
seconds while the sergeant gave his
undivided attention 70 the study Of Mel
son. That young man returned his
stare with the utmost good humor. He
was evidently not at all perturDed over
the prospective result
Hes never been mugged here" final
ly answered the sergeant in q voice
which permitted no contradiction.
You're sureT" persisted the captain
Ever know me to ma, Q a mistake?
retorted the sergeant with manner G.
I mild resentment.
Never" replied the captain.
Hes never been up before" cOntin-
ued the sergeant. I'D know him. Cant
fool me. Maybe he don't belong in New
York"
II don't" replied Nelson. I've only
been here a short time. This is my first
ofrense," he added. with a twinkle in
his eye.
It's no laughing matter. young man.
repeated The captain. Then he turned
TO the sergeant once more.
'"rhat Will do" he said. az am oil
your opinion" he added. II wanted e
make sure. though.
Come. now" He went UP TO Nelson
ana put a kindly hand on his shoulder
You might as well own up. I know
everything
J Nelson. however, was not to be wor
over
, Since you know everything" he re-
plied-"why bother me with que2tions?'
The captain shook his head. He haf
not often had such a difficult time witt
: any one charged with such a crime. Hi