, 1910-08-11
CHAPTER XVIII.

Sh6h oA6hS u Nnh. JShAiOoB ohS A3
s~tinctively drew back. Just at that
moment the banker was. perhaps, the
n man in the world whom she was
o anxious to avoid. Capt. Clinton
no longer had any terror for her. Now
that the missing witness had been
found and the precious suicide let
ter" was as good as In their possession
there was nothing more to lear. It
was only a question of time when
Howard would be set free. But
1t was not in this girls nature
to be concerned only with her
self. II she possessed q single wom-
anly virture, 1t was supreme unseldsh-
ness. There was some n beside her
self to take into considerations
poor, ~vacilating, weak, miserable
woman who wished to do what was
right and had agreed to do SO, but
who, in the privacy of her W apart
ments. had gone down on her knees
and begged Annie to protect her from
the consequences of her own folly.
Her husband must not know. Annie
had promised that II there was any
way possible the knowledge of that
clandestine midnight visit to Under
j WOOu 3 EOOHlS SuOulu DC kept lloih
him. Yet there stood the banker!
She was afraid that If they began
questioning her in his presence she
might be betrayed into saying some
thing that would instantly rouse his
suspicious.
Judge Brewster went quickly for
ward as she came in and led her to a
chair. Capt. Clinton and Mr.. Jeffries
eyed her in stolid silence. Looking
around in a nervous kind of way, An
ME said quietly to the Judge:
May l speak to you alone, judge?"
Certainly" replied the lawyer.
He was about to draw her aside
when Capt. Clinton interfered.
"One moment" he said grufly; If
this is all open and above board, as
you say it is, Judged like to 81
the young lady a few questions.
Certainly, by all MEANS" said the
Judge quickly.
The captain turned and confronted
Annie. Addressing her in his Gus
tomary aggressive manner, he said:
You promised Judge Brewster that
you'd produce the woman who called
at Undsrwood's apartment the night
of the s~hooting?" Annie made no
reply, but looked at the lawyer. The
captain grinned as he added: The
witness wants instructions. judge"
You a be perfectly frank, Mrs.
Jeffries;" said the lawyer reassuringly.
"We have no desire to conceal ny
thing from Capt Clinton"
Annie bowed.
Yes" h said slowly; 81 promised
Judge Brewster that she would come
here tonight"
Did she promise to comet" growled
the captain.
Yes"
We'll, where is she?" he demanded.
"She hasn't come yet" she replied,
but she will, I'm sure-I know she
will"
How did you come to find herr"
demanded the captain suspiciously.
Annie hesitated a moment and
glanced at Mr.. Jeffries. Then she
said hesitatingly:
THAT II cannot say-now."
! Capt. Clinbon's massive bulldog jaw
closed with an ominous click.
Decline to answer. chr What's her
manner"
She remained silent.
Whats her manner" he repeated
impatiently.
81 cannot tell you" she said firmly.
DO you know it?" he beloved.
"Yes," she answered quietly.
Know 1t, but can't say, eh? Hum!"
He folded his arms and glared at
her. Mr.. Jeffries now interfered. Ad.
dressing Annie angrily, he said:
"But you must speak! Do you real
ize that my sons life IL at stalker"
yes, / do" she replied quickly.
I'm glad to see that you are begin.
ming to realize It. too. But I can't
tell you yet"
The Judge turned to the police cap
tain.
~ may tell you, captain. that even
l myself have not succeeded In learn.
ing the name Of this mysterious per
.sonage." Addressing Annie, he said:
81 think you had better tell Us. / see
no advantage In concealing It any fur
Their"
Annie shook her head.
mot yet she murmured; "she will
tell you herself when she comes"
"Hh! l thought as much!" exclaimed
the banker increduously.
The captain rose drew himself
up to his full height. a favorite trick
of his, when about to assert his au-
thority.
Well. when she does comet" he
exclaimed, 81 think you may as well.
I understand she will be taken to head.
quarters and held as q witness" 5