The Elbert County tribune., 1911-05-12
CHAPTER K.

i konrs. Through the blinds the gray
| daylight outside was creeping it's way
In. All the policemen were exhaust
ed. The prisoner was on the verge of
collapse. Maloney and Patrolman
Delaney were doing on chairs. but
Capt Clinton. marvel of iron will
and physical strength. never relaxed
for a moment Not allowing himself
to weaken or show signs Of fatigue,
he kept pounding the unhappy youth
with searching questions.
BY this time Towards condition was
| pftiable to witness. His face was
white as death. His trembling lips
| could hardly articulate 1t was with
the greatest difficulty that he kept on
his feet. Every moment he seemed
about to fall. At times he clutched the
table nervously. for fear he would
stumble. Several times, through sheer
exhaustion. he sat down. The act was
almost involuntary. Nature was CIV
ing way
Il can't stand any MORE" he muir
INJURED. What's the good OF all these
questions? l tell you didn't do it"
He sank helplessly on 20 a chair. His
eyes rolled in his head. He looked as
II he would faint
Stand up!" Numbered the captain
angriIy.
Howard obeyed mechanically, al
though he reeled in the effort To
steady himself, he caught hold of the
table. His strength was fast ebbing.
He was losing his power to resist.
The captain saw he was weakening.
and he smiled with satisfaction. He'd
soon get confession out of him. Sud
denly bending forward. SO that his
fierce. determined stare glared right
Into Howard's half closed eyes. he
shouted:
You did it and you know you did"
Mol" replied Howard weakly.
These repeated sdenfals are use
less!" shouted the captain. There's
already enough evidence to send you
to the chair!"
Howard shook his head helpiessly.
Weakly he replied:
This constant questioning is ma
king me dizzy. Good God! What's
the use of questioning me and ques-
tioning me? know nothing about
it."
why did you come here?" thun-
dered the captain.
I've told you over and over again.
We're old friends. l came to borrow
money. He owed me a few hundred
dollars when we were at college to-
gether, and tried to get it. I've told
you SO many times. You won't be-
lieve me. My brain is tired. I'm thor
oughly exhausted. Please let me go.
My poor wife won't know what's the
matter"
Never mind about your wife,"
growled the captain. We've sent for
her. How much did you try to Dor
row."
Howard was silent a moment. as II
racking his brain. trying to remem-
Der.
"A thousand-two thousand. for
get | think one thousand"
did he say he'd lend you the mon
ey?" demanded the inquisitor
NO." replied the prisoner. with hest
tation. He couldn't-he-poor chap
he"
"Ahl" snapped the captain. He re-
fused-that led to words. There was
quarrel, and" Suddenly leaning
forward until his face almost touched
Towards, he Kissed rather than
spoke: You shot himl"
Howard gave an Involuntary step
backward. as If he realized the trap
being laid for him.
mo, mol" he cried
Quickly following up his advantage,
Capt Clinton shouted dramatically:
You liei He was found on the
floor In this room-dead You were
trying to get out of the house with
out being seen. You hadn't even
stopped to wash the blood OF your
hands. All you fellers make mistakes.
You relied on getting away unseen.
You never stopped to think that the
blood on your hands would betray
you" Gruffiy he added: Now, come,
what's the use of wasting all this
time? 1t won't go SO hard with you
If you own up. You killed Robert
Underwood"
Howard shook his head. There was
pathetic expression OF helplessness
on his face
81 didn't kill him." he faltered. 81
was asleep on that sofa. woke up.
1t was dark. l went out. | wanted to
get home. My wife was waiting for
me-
Now I've caught you lying" inter
rupted the captain quickly. You told
the coroner you saw the dead man and
feared you would be suspected OF his
murder. and SO tried to get away I'M
seen" Turning to his men, he added:
How is that. Maloney? Did the pris-
oner say that?"
The sergeant consulted his back
notes. and replied:
yes. Cap. that's what he said"
Suddenly Capt Clinton drew from