The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-06-16
CHAPTER xIv-(Continued. }


The lawyer did az speak.
II mean" Angel went on calmly
since saw the hat you put down OF
you murdered Connor."
"Ch, you found him, did you
wondered" said Speeding withou
emotion. Then he heard q fain
metallic click. and leapt back with hi.
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
nghting. Handcuffed he rose, his non.
chalant self, with the full measure OF
his failure apparent. He was once
again the suave, smooth man Of old
Indeed. he laughed as he faced Angel
"A good end" he said. you are q
much smarter man than thought you
were. What is the charger"
Murder" said Angel.
You will find difficulty In proving
It," Speeding answered coolly, "and as
IT Is customary at this stage Of the
proceedings for the accused to make
. conventional statement, formally
declare that I 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 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 ca GArried him away.
Angel locked the .loor of the deposit.
and handed the key to Kathleen.
I VIII ask Jimmy to take you
What do you think OF him9" said
Jimmy?
"Spedding? Oh. he's acted as I
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 q class by them
selves-natures perversities. There IL
q side to SPEEDING that is particularly
pleasant"
He saw the two off, then walked
slowly to the city police station. The
inspector on duty nodded to him as he
entered.
I'VE have put him in special CELL"
he said,ss
''Hasshe been well searched?"
"Yes, sir The usual kit, and 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.
and the barrel was foul. That will
hang him without his confession, he
thought.
s'Eie asked for a pencil and paper"
said the inspector, but he surely does
not expect bail"
Angel shook his head.
No, should imagine he wants to
write to me-"
A door burst open. and bareheaded
TALLER rushed in.
There's something wrong in No. A."
he said, and Angel followed the in
Spector 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 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
STRICKEN man, felt no beat of the heart
run for q doctor!" said the in
epector.
ITS no use." said Angel quietly,
''the mans dead"
On the roAgh bed lay 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,
''the time has come when must prove
Tor myself the vexed question Of i'm
mortality. ! would say that l bear you
no Ill will, nor your companion, nor the
charming Miss Kent. I 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 skilfully 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.