Graham guardian., 1911-11-03

her as II he would read her innermost
thoughts.
There's no use trying to lie to me-
he snarled. II know who's got the
diamonds. The man who hired you 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.
! "Ain't she the slick one!" laughed
his partner.
The Chiefs face hardened until a
menace seemed to lurk in every one
OF Its deep-cut lines.
Nov, you know who says It," he
informed her. II don't have to men
ton any names. It's simply 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 thati Now. I'm giving
1 q
sion and save yourself. VIII you con-
fess?" His tone carried the weight
Of threat. but her unresponsive mind
was unable to grasp its significance.
She stared blankly before her, as II
her eyes were chained to some distant
spot
''Will you confess 7" the Chief repeat
ed with added menace.
As II reused from q 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 sud
den resolve
Every well!" he burst forth. Go
right ahead and be the goat II you
want to. Look here, little girl. was
just kiddin' you when said we had
the principal under arrest" he said
with quick change of tactics. you're
the only one that's locked up. don't
believe there's anyone else mixed up
In the case at all / believe you did
the job alone. II 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 hunted anil
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 gleam 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.
II haven't done anything" she
pleaded. II don't know who took Mrs.
Missioner's diamonds" AS II cut by
a sudden thought, Miss Holcomb bent
forward In her seat "She can't be-
lieve did TT" she moaned.
you bet your life she believes you
did It," the Chief announced. "And
know you did 1t, So what's the use Of
denying 1T"
Il do deny II, 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 1t
was a shame to take Itch? Now how
did It get mixed up with your trink-
ets?"
II don't know" she moaned.
The Chief turned from her wearily.
''You take her In hand, Donnelly,"
he said.
The detective bent over the woman,
his face so close that she felt his
warm breath against her cheeks.
Don't try any nonsense down here"
he snarled. 1--WE 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 contorted
into an expression Of tigerish ferocity;
he peered at her with an intensity
that chilled her blood,
You're a liar" he snapped. "You
think you're slick one, but you'll be
sorry you was ever born II you don't
cough up the goods. We know how to
handle customers like you down here.
We're used to 'em. We get 'em every
day. Now, Just save yourself 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 we'll make for you.
And we can make more trouble for |
you than you can make for u.s."
A look of such utter helplessness
overspread her face that even the de-
tectives realized the utter futility OF |
their attack. She seemed as one un-
der the influence OF torpifying drug.
Her capability for new feelings had
been crushed out Of her by the crowd.
ed incidents following her arrest. All |