Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-09-22
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joined carson.
The Chiefs beady eyes narrowed on
her as If he would read her innermost
thoughts.
There's no use trying to lie to me-
he snarled. Il kno who's got the
diamonds. The man who hired o to
steal them Is locked up now. He says
he didn't know they were stolen
who says that" she interrupted.
Donnelly and Carson nudged each
other in boisterous glee.
She wants to know who says IT,"
piped the former.
Amt she the slick one!" laughed
his partner.
The Chiefs face hardened until a
menace seemed to Turk in every one
of its deep-cut lines.
Now. you know who says It," he
informed her, Il don't have to men
ton any names. It's simply a question
of you going to jail or Of sending him
to Jail. | don't take any stock in what
he says. He can't tell me he didn't
know you stole the jewels. | amt
as easy as all that. Now, I'm giving
you a chance to make a full confes-
sion and save yourself. VIII you con-
fess?" His tone carried the weight
Of a threat, but her unresponstve mind
was unable to grasp its significance.
She stared blankly before her, as II
her eyes were chained to some distant
spot.
VIII you confess ?" the Chief repeat
ed with added menace.
AS If reused from a long abstrac-
ton, she gazed appealingly at her tor
mentor.
Il have nothing to confess h
murmured weakly.
The Chief drew back in studied an
ger. His fist banged the desk as II
the blow was meant to convey a sud
den resolve.
Very WE'LL" he burst forth. Go
right ahead and be the goat If o
want to-. Look here, little girl, l was
just kiddin' you when I said we had
the principal under arrest" he said
with a quick change Of tactics. you're
the only one that's locked up. l don't
believe there's anyone else mixed up
in the case at all. l believe you did
the job alone. If there's anyone be-
hind you, you'll have to show me.
There's only one thief involved, n
that's you"
An expression, as of a hunted ami
NAL, crept into her face. She turned
to the left and met the fixed stare OF
Donnelly. Averting her head, her
eyes looked into those of Carson. d.
rectly in front, close to her face, h
cold CLEAN from the Chiefs eyes fell
on her. So she turned around. only
to look into an impenetrable back
ground Of gloom. sinister and depress-
ing.
81 haven't done anything" she
pleaded. 81 don't know who took Mrs.
M~issioner's diamonds" AS If cut by
a sudden thought, Miss Holcomb bent
forward in her seat. she can't be-
lieve l did it," she moaned.
You bet your life she believes you
did It," the Chief announced. And l
know o did 1t. So what's h use OF
denying it?'
II do deny 1t, l do deny it. she pro-
tested. How can they think me capa-
BILE of it?"
uS ShlSl opchCu Ia" VI AAc
desk INT brought forth the accusing
diamond. He held it close to her
face, permitting the rays to distribute
themselves on her features.
Pretty fine stone!" he commented.
"A peach of q sinner! Looked good
to you, didn't It? Came sc easy 1t
was a shame to take Itch? Now how
did 1t get mixed up with your trink-
cts?
II don't know" she moaned.
The Chief turned from her YEARLY.
You take her In hand, Donnelly,"
he said.
his face so close that she felt his
warm Dreatn against her cheeks
Don't try any down here"
he snarled. I'VE got the goods on
you. and We amt going to stand any
fooling. Now, where are those dia-
monds?"
She eyed him In mild protest.
II don't know, sir" she murmured
weakly.
Donnelly showed his clenched fist
under her chin. His face c%ontorted
into an expression Of tigerish ferocity:
he peered at her with an intensity
that chilled her blood.
You're a liar" ne snapped. You
think you're a slick one. but you'll be
sorry you was ever born If you don't
cough up the goods. We know how to
handle customers like you down here.
We're used to 'em. We get EN- every
day. Now, just save yourself a lot OF
trouble by telling the whereabouts OF
the diamonds
They amt going to do you any
good" interjected the Chief. They
don't wear diamonds where you're go
ing to. The less trouble you give US,
the less trouble well make for you.
And We can make more trouble for
you than you can max for U.s."
A look of such utter helplessness
/ overspread her face hat ever the de-
tectives realized the utter futility OF
their attack. She seemed as n I'M
der the influence of a t%orpifying drug.
Her capability for ley feelings a
been crushed out of her by the crowd
ed incidents following her arrest. All