Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-26
The other snorted.

~ . Wei ne udSn t-Weil ne never
had. IL be had half a million be
wouldn't be running for United States
senator: just like as not he'd be play
ing golf or running devil wagon
The three visitors had been listeners
TO this conversation in silence. but
Shirley could contain herself GO longer.
and. turning TO her companions. she
said sneeriugly:
Nothing but his honesty TO back
him: Why. lynching's too good for
him."
And. as though her utterance of the
phrase were the prosecutors cue. Muir
gatroyd sauntered into the room. lie
looked as fresh aud unconcerned as
though he did not know that blood
less battle was being fought for him
down at the state capitol-a close bat
tie nj that.
Challouer started uervously. Billy.
r.
Want TO see mey' be inquired suave-
~
yes" faltered ChaIloner. "aIone,
please"
Murgatroyd took from his drawer a
bundle OF papers and handed IL 70
Mixley. saying:
Look up that excise violation right
away. And. McGrath." he continued.
there are three witnesses in the ian
nenbaum case that we've got to have.
Find them by = O'clock You may
go"
Chalioner advanced quickly toward
the desk.
Prosecutor Murgatroyd." be began.
gulping. ITS up TO you 20 clear me OF
that Hargraves affair. I'm not the
murderer OF Hargravesr'
Miriam and Shirley had risen.
Murgatroyd returned calmly:
Il know it,"
You know it, gasped the three Wis
itors. aud the next moment the women
were grouped around the prosecutors
desk.
Yes" Murgatroyd unused. II have
known Il for almost FIVE years. You
must have known it too"
Not until a few hours ago" ChalIo-
ner quickly Informed him.
You don't say So" was Nurca-
troyd's answer. aud presently he add
ed though perhaps it is not so very
surprising
Challoner's eyes narrowed. Sudden
~ he said
Somebody killed Hargravcs. who
did IT."
The prosecutor looked az the mau in
crcduiously.
DO you mean 20 tell me that. though
you know now that you didn't Kin
Hargraves. that you don't know who
did XIII himg"
I'm here 20 end out"
why. thunderation!" calculated Muir
gatroyd and. looking the other square
~ tn the eyes. went on: II knew that
everybody didn't know. but thought
you knew long ago that II was Penn
mican Of Cradiebaugh's who did g."
"Pemmican." repeated Chalioner as
II 90 himself. was the only man who
knew, and he's dead"
yes" assented Murgatroyd. "he kill
ed himself in jail. He confessed lust
before the court 90 appeals filed it's
opinion OF afli FINANCE Ga your case. lie
had stolen $4,000 from Cradlebaurh's
and had been threatened with prose
cutiou for %. He had 20 replace the
money. The opportunity came. and he
seized H. He knew that YOU hated
Hargravcs. knew that there was a mo-
tive on your part. knew that you shot
and missed. knew that Hargraves had
lot OF money on his person, and he set
out 20 get IL. 10 WINS safe lie got a..
and Hargraves. too: shot him dead
with another gun after you missed
him and paid back the money 70 era
dlebaugh's."
Miriam burst out:
And YOU have known this for
years."
Yes" he told her quietly. his eyes
wandering over Miriam's face. but
it's plain TO me now that you haven't
known it,
How should we:'' protested ChaI-
loner.
Murgatroyd frowned; then he an
swered.
How? Because I advised your coun-
sci. Thorne. and he was present when
the order releasing you was signed.
II was his duty. not mine. 90 communi-
cate with you"
"Thome-Thorne knew" cried kiri-
am.
And he never told u.s." came finally
from Challoner's lips.
Possibly be didn't dare" explain
ed Murgatroyd. with an enigmatical
smile. Just at that time Thorne and
Thorne's crowd held the SAbiic In the
hollow OF their hands SO perhaps"
he added sarcastically. 1.-The news
about Pemmican was suppressed for
the public good"
And you spoke up Shirley. her
eyes flashing but got no further. for
Murgatroyd went on addressing ChaI-
loner.
81 had no trouble then. OF course, Ia
setting you free"
Challoner blinked stupidity at the
prosecutor. but Miriam's face at once
was wreathed in smiles. for she knew
that their future happiness was as
sured-that the name or ChaIloner
would be cleared Of it's stain.