The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1913-12-19

CudlT StduuluS d llllle way 1tOm OuS
end of his desk. Now, have all the
shades up" He chuckled as he added:
"That Turner woman saved you the
trouble with one"
He returned to his chair, and when
the door opened he was to all appear
ances busily engaged in writing.
Here's Carson. chief" Cassidy an
nounced.
Hello, Joel" Burke exclaimed. with
a seeming air Of careless friendliness.
as the detective went out, and Carson
stood motionless just within the door.
'Sit down a minute. won't you?" the
inspector continued affably. He did
not look up from his writing as he
spoke.
Garson's usually strong face was
showing weak with fear. His chin.
which was commonly very firm. moved
a little from uneasy twitchings of his
lips. His clear eyes were slightly
clouded to look of apprehension as
they roved the room furtvely. He
made no answer to the inspectors
greeting for a few moments. but re-
NAMED standing without movement.
poised alertly as If sensing some con-
cealed peril. Finally, however. his
anxiety found expression in words
His tone was pregnant with alarm.
though he strove to make it merely
complaining.
Say, what am l arrested for? he
protested Il amt done anything"
Burke did not look up. and hisspen
continued to hurry over the paper.
"Who told you you were arrested?"
he remarked cheerfully in his blandest
voice.
Carson uttered an ejaculation of dis
gust.
Il don't have to be told" he retorted
huffily. I'm no college president, but
when cop grabs me and brings me
down here I've got sense enough to
know Pm pinched."
rs that what they did to you. Joe?
I'll have to speak to Cassidy about
that. Now, just you sit down. Joe.
won't you? l want to have a little
talk with you. I'll be through here in
a second" He went on with the writ
ing
Carson moved forward slightly to
the single chair near the end of the
desk and there seated himself mechan-
ically. His face thus was turned to-
ward the windows that gave on the
corridor. and his eyes grew yet more
clouded as they rested on the grim
doors of the cells He writhed in his
chair. and his gaze jumped from the
cells to the impassiye figure Of the
man at the desk. Now the forgers
nervousness increased momentarily. 1t
swept beyond his control OF sud-
den he sprang up and stepped close to
the inspector.
Say" he said, in husky voice. I'D
like-Id like to have lawyer"
Whats the matter with you. JoeY
the inspector returned, always with
that imperturbable air. and without
raising his head from the work that
so engrossed his attention You
know. you're not arrested. Joe. Maybe
you never will be- Now, for the love
Of Mike. keep still and let me finish
this letter.
Slowly. very hesitatingly. Carson
went back to the chair. and sank down
on it in a limp attitude Of detection
wholly unlike his customary postures
Of strength. Again. his fear fascinated
eyes went to the row Of cells that stood
silently menacing on the other side Of
the corridor beyond the windows His
face was tinged with gray. A physical
sickness WAS creeping stealthily on
MIN, as his thoughts held insistently
to the catastrophe that threatened. His
intelligence was too keen to permit a
belief that Burke's manner of almost
fuisome kindness hid nothing omin-
ous-ominous with hint of death for
him in return for the death he had
wrought
Then, terror crystallized. His eyes
were caught by a figure. the figure of
Cassidy. advancing there in the cor
ridor. And with the detective went a
man whose gait was Sinking. craven.
A cell door swung open. the prisoner
stepped within. the door changed to-
the bolts shot into their sockets noisily.
Carson sat huddled, stricken-for he
had recognized the victim thrust into
the cell before his eyes. 1t was Dacey.
one of his own cronies in crime
Dacey. who. the night before, had seen
him kill Eddie Griggs. There was
something concretely sinister to Gar
son in this fact of Dacey's presence
there In the cell.
OF sudden the forger cried out rau-
cously:
"Say. inspector. If you've got any
hing on me. IL would The cry
ropped into unintelligible mumblings. |
Burke retained his manner Of serene