The Washington times., 1909-03-15
CHAPTER XIII.
NELSON PUZZLES THE POLICE.
- LII L Raftu NuaS aNnlainir


captain to whom Betty had delivered
him.
It was a busy afternoon at the
station house.
Nelson was only vaguely conscious
OF what was going on He sat there
in the inner room, awaiting the cap
tain's leisure as well as his pleasure.
As the door between the two offices,
the general and the private one. opened
he caught snatches of conversation
which caused him to move uneasily
about In his chair.
''Shot a man because he owed him
two dollars" was one bit of informa-
ton which fioated through.
'But, captain. it wasn't my fault He
said he'd shoot me on sight" came a
voice IN an eeffort to explain.
Ibid the murdered man have gum
Nothing like it, was the answer
from the policeman who had made the
arrest.
Lock this man up" came the cold
uitimatum of the captain.
Nelson wondered If all cases were
hustled through as quickly as that one.
The captain entered the inner room
end began inquiring into Nelson's case,
when once more his services were re-
Quired outside.
The man accused of the theft Of a
thousand dollars heard enough to I'M
derstand that another person against
whom was a similar charge was doing
his best to escape the clutches OF the
law.
"Weil. what have you to cay for
yourself?" began the captain
There's nothing to be said,~ replied
TIE officer, who stood with his hand
on the prisoners arm. Hes guilty.
There amt no doubt Of it. He was
caught with the goods"
1t amt true" retorted the thief. 81
never stole cent
II found the money on him. captain.',
continued the policeman.
That'n do" said the captain.
But. captain"
Take him away" was the order.
Wen hear from you tomorrow.
As Nelson listened TO these fragments
OF police doings he marveled at the
courteous manner in which Mrs. Whar-
toms case had been treated
The captain had certainly been most
considerate toward him He had lis
tened attentively to the little woman's
story, and had evidently been greatly
Impressed by all she had to say. Never
turned toward Nelson and had given
him an opportunity TO explain his posi-
ton
This seemed 90 Nelson 70 be most m
usual for a man like the captain. ID
whom explanations Of all degrees In the
variety or truth and untruth were moth
Ing more than conventional, everyday
stofies- He couldn't understand it. The
mere fact that he was well-dressed
played no part, for there were others
brought in who wore as good clothes as
did Nelson.
II was all a riddle to the man whom
Betty had left at the police station TO
free himself as best he could.
Nelson sat there-a prey to his own
thoughts. Very unpleasant ones they
were. too.
lie had been conquered by a. woman.
Such a little woman. No one would
imagine she possessed such invincibIe
determination.
He couldn't help feeling Of intense
aomiratic- for her. although she had
placed him in such vretched posFt{on
NO man likes to have a woman dem
onstrate that she is capable of getting
the better of him. And when she goes
about il in such a fashion as the one
Betty used in convincing Nelson # was
enough 10 cause any man a feeling OF
chagltn, no matter how hardened To
crime he might be
Nelson wondered how much longer he
would be compelled to wait before the
captain could continue his cross-exa MI
nation.
AZ last the door between the two
offices closed with an emphatic bang
and the captain stood before him.
well, Mr.. Nelson" he began in
short, crisp tones. what have you to
say for yourself?''
He folded his arms and assumed a
position Of command. The captain was
noted for his correct diagnosis in the
majority Of cases which were brought
20 his attention. He was considered
brutal and cruel by some. but that rep
utation got abroad merely through the
knowledge that he didn't lose either
time or words in sizing up the persons
who were presented to his official no
tice.
He possessed a remarkable under
standing Of human nature and could
easily have earned his living as a mind
reader or palmist. He had served his
time as a private detective and had
mounted up through various grades on
the force until he had attained his Do
sition at the head OF his immediate de-
partment.
He had proved that he could not be
trihed with. He was honest above all
question The poor and needy, wrong
fully accused, had little trouble in Sc
curing his sympathy where IL was
rghtfully claimed. but the hardened
man who earned his living by preying
upon others had a tough time of II
when he endeavored 10 state his side OF
the question with pair OF penetrating
eyes seeming 20 read his very soul.
m waiting. TO hear your side al
the case" continued the captain, as
he fixed those wonderful eyes on Mel
son.
Il have no side to my case" re-
piled Nelson.
''What?'' exclaimed the other. do