The Springfield herald., 1912-03-15

confident that ne would at once ADMIT
his possession of 1t and offer some
explanation that would Immediately
satisfy everybody. LeDuc was look
ing steadily at him. apparently as puz-
zled by his answer as was /. To all
outward appearances there was some
thing hidden beneath the skin here.
and l determined to make quick
thrust at the heart of the matter,
bleeding him of his secret for his own
good.
Where were you last night. Brucef"
1 asked quietly. The pallor of his
wet ashes and he stood mute with an
unpleasant narrowing of his eyes. For
long minute the silence was un-
broken. LeDuc scanning him impa-
tiently and Clare. her pupils expand
ed, leaning far forward In her intent
ness. Then he shifted sullenly upon
his feet.
II have no reply to make to that
question at present"
signaled to LeDuc, who instantly
caught the cue. But perhaps II the
young lady would pardon us" he
murmured with a courteous bow to
Glare. She arose upon the instant,
and slancing neither to right nor left,
passed into my uncle's apartments.
while Bruce glooming after her with
frightened lips moved no muscle. As
the door closed behind her made an
other effort in his behalf.
II wish you would be reasonable in
this matter, Bruce. You ought to
know that you can trust us implicitly
when l give you my word as now do.
II you have any reason-any mans
reason-to think that your where
abouts last night II known to Glare
would distress her, Mr.. LeDuo and /
will bind ourselves upon our honor to
keep your communication confidential.
Later on you make such explanation
to her as you may desire, but in view
of certain statements which you made
to me 1t is necessary that our mutual
friend here should know whore you
spent the night. VIII you tell us?"
A pale glow of passion, phosphores-
cent like. appeared deep behind his
eyes and he answered me doggedly.
almost defiantly.
mo. 1t is a matter which at pres
ent concerns only myself. Nor do
1 understand your insinuations when
you say 1t Is for my own good that l
make confldants of you. What do
you mean by such attempted intimida-
tion?"
Ignoring the gathering storm, an
swered him In a calm tone:
Bruce, trust you implicitly and
tell you now that 1t would take moth
ing less than bombshell Of absolute
proof to shatter that belief. That be-
ing the case, when l assure you that
l have reason to believe that 1t is for
your own good to do SO, l think you
might honor me with your confidence.
Along that same line I am going to
ask you another question. Do you OBJ
ject to showing US the contents of
your pockets-everything He turned
a dull red, seemed about to explode
with the heat of his passion and then
growing suddenly cold bowed frigidly
and began laying before US the con-
tents of his clothes. 1t was the US
ual miscellaneous assortment of a
mans personal carvings. and when
he had finished a glance told us that
the object :or which we were search
ing was not among them.
The pockets OF your overcoat.
please" purred LeDuc. With mocking
deliberation Bruce began turning the
folds and crevices of that garment
inside out. Nothing OF interest was
exposed to us, and when he had I'M
ished we sat cycling each other with
silent lips. I broke the hush.
Bruce, you had key to the house
yesterday. You pounded upon the
table with 1t as we sat together down.
town and then put 1t back in your
side overcoat pocket. l noticed 1t
distinctly. Now Clare's key has dis
appeared and 1t is impossible for us
to overlook the coincidence. Where
did you get the one you had and