Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-06-16
CHAPTER xIv-(Continued.)
he lawyer did not speak.

CHAPTER XIV-(Continued.
The lawyer did not speak.
Il mean." Angel went on calmly
since ! saw the hat you put down on
. dusty table in my chambers-when
you murdered Connor."
"Oh. you found him, did you-l
wondered" said SPEEDING without
emotion. Then he heard a faint
metaIic click. and leapt back with his
hand In his pocket.
But Jimmys pistol covered him.
He paused irresolutely for one mo-
ment; then six men flung themselves
upon him, and he went to the ground
lighting. Handcuffed, he rose, his non
chalant self, with the full measure OF
his failure apparent. He was once
egain the suave, smooth man Of old
"A good end" he said. you are a
much smarter man than I thought you
were. What is the charger"
Murder" said Angel
You will find a difficulty in proving
IT. Speeding answered coolly, land as
1t Is customary at this stage Of the
proceedings for the accused to make
, conventional statement. formally
declare that l have not seen Conner
Tor two days."
Closely guarded, he walked to the
door. He passed Kathleen standing In
the vestibule, and she shrank on one
side. which amused him. He clam
bered into the car that had brought
him, followed by the policemen, and
hummed a little tune.
He leaned over to say a final word
to Angel.
You think I am indecently cheer
full" he said, but I feel as a man
wearied with folly, who has the
knowledge that before him lies the
sound sleep that will bring forgetful-
ness"
Then, as the car was moving off, he
spoke again
"of course killed Connor-it was
Inevitable"
And then the car carried him away
Angel locked the door of the deposit,
and handed the key to Kathleen.
home" he said.
What do you think Of him?" said
Jimmy?
Speeding? Oh, he's acted as !
thought he would. He represents the
very worst type of criminal In the
world; you cannot condemn. any more
than you can explain, such men as
that. They are in a class by them
selves-nature's perversities. There is
q side to SPEEDING that is particularly
pleasant"
He saw the two of, then walked
slowly to the city police station. The
inspector ON duty nodded to him as he
entered.
I'VE have put him in a special CELL"
he said.
HAS he been we'll searched?"
Yes, sir. The usual kit, and a re-
volver loaded in five chambers"
Let me see it," said Angel
He took the pistol under the gaslight.
One chamber contained an empty shell,
vy{l
hang him without his confession, he
thought.
He asked for pencil and paper"
said the inspector, "'but he surely does
not expect bail"
Angel shook his head.
mo, / should imagine he wants to
write to me-"
A door burst open, and q bareheaded
TALLER rushed In. y.s--..s
There's something wrong in No. f."
he said, and Angel followed the in
epector as he ran down the narrow
corridor, studded with iron doors on
either side.
The inspector took one glance
through the spyhole.
open the door," he said quickly.
With a jangle and rattle Of bolts. the
door was opened. SPEEDING lay on his
back, with faint smile on his lips;
his eyes were closed, and Angel, thrust
ing his hand into the breast Of the
stricken man, felt no beat of the heart.
Run for a doctor!' said the in
spector.
IT'S no use," said Angel quietly,
''the mans dead"
On the rough bed lay a piece Of pa
per. 1t was addressed in the lawyers
bold hand to Angel Esquire.
The detective picked 1t up and read
It.
Excellent Angel" the letter ran,
'4the time has come when / must prove
for myself the vexed question of i'm
mortality. would say that bear you
no Ill will, nor your companion, nor the
charming Miss Kent. would have
killed you all, or either, of course, but
happily my intentions have not coin
cided with my opportunities. For some
time past I have foreseen the posi-
bility Of my present act, and have worn
on every suit one button, which.
colored to resemble it's fellows, is in
reality a ski1fully nodded pellet Of cya-
hide. Farewell"
Angel looked down at the dead man
at his feet. The top cloth-covered but
ton on the right breast had been torn
away.