Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-04-12
CHAPTER \.

hours. Through the blinds the gray
daylight outside was creeping its 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 Howard's condition was
pitiable 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. whats the good of all these
questions? / tell you didn't do It,"
He sank helplessly on to chair. His
eyes rolled in his head. He looked as
If he would faint.
Stand up!" thundered the captain
angrily.
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 denials are use
less!" shouted the captain. There's
already enough evidence to send you
to the chair!"
Howard shook his head helplessly.
Weakly he replied:
This constant questioning is ma
king me dizzy. Good God! What's
the use of questioning me and ques-
tioning me? l 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 few hundred
dollars when we were at college to-
gether. and I 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 bor-
row."
Howard was silent moment, as II
racking his brain. trying to remem-
ber.
"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 hesi-
tation. He couldn't-he-poor chap
| he"
"Ah!" snapped the captain. HE re-
fused-that led to words. There was
a quarrel, and" Suddenly leaning
forward until his face almost touched
Howard's, he hissed rather than
spoke: "You shot him!"
Howard gave an involuntary step
backward. as If he realized the trap
being laid for him.
"No, mol" he cried.
Quickly following up his advantage,
Capt. Clinton shouted dramatically:
you lie! 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 off 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" Gruffly he added: "Now, come,
what's the use of wasting all this
time? 1t won't 60 so hard with you
If you own up. You killed Robert
Underwood"
Howard shook his head. There was
a pathetic expression of helplessness
on his face
II didn't kill him." he faltered. 81
was asleep on that sofa. woke up.
1t was dark. l went out. I wanted to
get home. My wife was waiting for
re"
Nov 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 un.
seem" Turning to his men. he added.