Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-13

60
The Chef Drew Back In Studied
Anger.
her eyes were chained to some distant
spot.
will you confess?" the Chief repeat
ed with added menace.
AS IL reused from a long abstrac-
ton, she gazed appealingly at her tor.
mentor.
II have nothing to confess" she
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 you
want to. Look here, little girl, I was
just kiddin' you when l said we had
the principal under arrest" he said
with 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. 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, and
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. Di-
rectly in front, close to her face the
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.
Il haven't done anything" she
pleaded 81 don't know who took Mrs.
Missioner's diamonds" AS If cut by
a sudden thought, Miss Holcomb bent
forward in her seat. she cant be-
lieve l did IT," she moaned.
You bet your life she believes you
did IT," the Chief announced. And l
know you did it. So whats the use Of
denying it,"
II do deny 1t, do deny It," she pro
tested. How can they think me capa-
BILE OF it,"
The Chief opened a drawer OF his
desk and brought forth the accusing
diamond. He held 1t close to her
face permitting the rays to distribute
themselves on her features.
Pretty fine stone!" he commented
"A peach of sinner, Looked good
to you, didn't It? Came so easy II
was a shame to take itch? Now how
did 1t get mixed up with your trink
ets?"
II don't know" she moaned.
The Chief turned from her YEARLY
You take her In hand, Donnelly,'
he said
The detective bent over the woman
his face so close that she felt hi:
warm breath against her cheeks.
Don't try any nonsense down here,
he snarled I'VE got the goods OF
you. and we amt going to stand an!
fooling. Now, where are those dia
monds?"
Ohc CyCo III PiotSEt
Il don't know. sir" she murmuret
weakly.
Donnelly showed his clenched fis
under her chin. His face contorteC
into an expression of ugerish ferocity
he peered at her with an intensit!
/ that chilled her blood
You're a liar" he snapped. "Yo,
think you're a slick one, but you'll b.
sorry you was ever born If you don
cough up the goods. We know how t,
handle customers like you down here
We're used to EN- We get 'em ever.
day. Now, Just save yourself lot o
trouble by telling the whereabouts o
the diamonds"
They amt going to do you an,
good" interjected the Chief, The
don't wear diamonds where you're sc
ing to. The less trouble you give us
the less trouble well make for you
And We can make more trouble 10
you than you can make for us"
A look of such utter helplessnes
overspread her face that even the dc
tectves realized the utter futility G
their attack She seemed as one III
der the influence of torpifying druS
Her capability for new feelings ha
been crushed out OF her by the crowt
ed incidents following her arrest a
she felt was a dull pain of body an
mind.
Don't sit there like white mum
N.Y." burst forth Donnelly Come
now" he added impatiently, don
exhaust our patience; we haven't trea
ed you roughly, but we know how
bring you out Of your silence"
He seized her wrist, his cienche
hand squeezing 1t until she uttered
sharp cry Of pain.
Are you going to answer my que
tons" he blurted.
She sank back In the chair with
despairing moan. Her heavy eyelit
drocped. A. remor contracted h'