The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1911-09-01


letter in which Underwood declared
his intention of shooting himself.
doubt was no longer possible. Acquft-
tai was foregone conclusion. So
pleased was the judge at Armies find
that he did not insist on knowing the
woman's name. He saw that Annie
preferred, for some reason, not to give
it-even to her legal adviser-and he
let her have her way, exacting only
that the woman should be produced
the instant he needed her. The young
woman readily assented. or course,
there remained the confession" but
that had been obtained unfairly. IL
legally, fraudulently. The next impor'
tant step was to arrange meeting at
the Judges house at which DR.. Bern
stein. the hypnotic expert. would De
present and to which should be invi-
ted both Capt Clinton and. Howards
father. In front of all these witnesses
the Judge would accuse the police cap
tain OF browbeating his prisoner into
making an untrue confession. Fer
haps the captain could be argued into
admitting the possibility of mistake
having been made. II, further, he could
be convinced Of the existence OF doc
umentary evidence showing that I'm
derwood really committed suicide he
might be willing to recede from bis
position In order to protect himself
At any rate 1t was worth trying. The
I'D, H. eli ole haf m thtQ plnot.
Ing the mysterious woman witness
should also come, to be produced al
such a moment as the lawyer might
consider opportune. Annie merely de
nanded few hours time so she could
make the appointment and soon re-
turned with solemn promise that
the woman would attend the meet
| ing and come forward at whatever
moment called upon.
Three evenings later there was an
impressive gathering at Judge Brew
ster's residence. In the handsomely
appointed library on the second hoof
were seated DR.. Bernstein, Mr.. JEFF
fries and the Judge. Each was alb
sorbed in his own thoughts. DR.. Bern
stein was putting at big black cigar
the banker stared vacantly into space
The Judge, at his desk. examined some
legal papers. Not a word was spo
ken. They seemed to be waiting for
fourth man who had not yet ar
rived Presently Judge Brewster
looked up and said:
Gentlemen. expect Capt. Clinton
in few minutes. and the matter will
be placed before you"
Mr.. Jeffries frowned. 1t was great
ly against his wish that he had been
dragged to this conference. Peevish
ly, he said:
"I've no wish to be present at the
meeting. You know that and yet
you sent for me-"
Judge Brewster looked up at him
quickly and said quietly yet de
cisively:
MIR. Jeffries, 1t is absolutely nee
essafy that you be present when
tell Capt. Clinton that he has either
willfully or ignorantly forced your son
to confess to having committed
crime OF which l am persuaded he is
absolutely innocent"
The banker shrugged his shoulders
"If l can be of service, of course.
IL am only too glad-but what can
I say--what can ! do?"
Nothing" replied the Judge curtly.
But the moral effect Of your presence
Is Invaluable" More amiably he went
Oh: believe me, Jeffries, wouldn't
have taken this step unless was alb.
solutely sure of my position. | have
been Informed that Underwood com
mitted suicide, and tonight evidence
confirming this statement is to BIZ
placed IN my hands. The woman who
paid him that mysterious visit just
before his death has promised to come
here and tell us what she knows. Now.
If Capt Clinton can be got TO admit
the possibility OF his being mistaken
1t means that your son will be free
In few days
who has given you this informa-
tom" demanded the banker skeptic.
ally.
"Howard's wife," answered the
Judge quietly. The banker started and
the lawyer went on: "She knows who
the woman is. and has promised to
bring her here tonight with docu-
mentary proof of Underwood's sui
eide"
you are depending on herr he
sneered.
why not! demanded the Judge
"She has more at stake than any OF
us. She has worked day and night
on this case. 1t was she who aroused
DIR. Bernsteln's interest and persuad
ed him to collect the evidence against
Capt. Clinton"
The banker frowned.
"She is the cause OF the whole mis-
cradle business" he growled.
The door opened and the butler. en-
tering, handed his master card.
"Ah!" calculated the Judge. Here's
our man! Show him up"
When the servant had disappeared
Mr.. teffries turned to his host. With
a show OF irritation he said:
a. 81 -