The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-29


why did you Kill Eddie Gr1ggwH"
ct didn't xiii hfmg' The reply was
quick enough, but it came weakly.
Again, Carson was forced to wet his
lips with a dry tongue, and to swallow
painfully. 81 tell you, l didn't kill
himP' he repeated at last. with more
force
You killed him last nfgh&-wtth
thfsI'' Burke cried, v1ciously- On the
instanE the pistol Ieaped into view,
pointed straight at Carson. 'Why?'
the inspector shouted. 'tCome on, now!
Why ~
Il didn't, L tell youg' Carson was
growing stronger, since at last the
crisis was upon him. He got to his
feet with 1.-THE swiftness of movement
and spfang close TO the desk. He bent
his head forward challengingly, to meet
the glare of his accuser's eyes.
There passed many seconds, while
the tEFo men battled In silence, will
wsrring against will. In the end it
was the murderer who triumphed-
Suddenly, Burke dropped the pistol
into his pocket, and lolled back in his
chair His gaze fell away from the
man confronting him. In the same in
slant. the rigidity of Garsons form
relaxed, and he Strengthened slowly.
'@Oh, we'll" Burke exclaimed ami
ably. 81 didn't really think you did, but
/ wasR sure. SO I had to take a
chance. you understand, don't you,
Joe?''
sure. L understand p Carson replied,
with an aniabllity equal to the inspec-
tors own
Burke pressed the buzzer as the
agreed signal to Cassidy. S''Where did
you say Mary Turner was last night ?"
At the question, all Garson's fears
for the woman rushed back on him
with appalling force.
Il don't know where she was,'' he ex-
claimed doubtfully. He realized his
blunder even as the words left his lips,
and sought to correct it as best he
might. why, yes, 1 do, too" he went
on. as IL assailed by sudden memory.
III dropped Into her place kind OF
late, and they said she'd gone to bed
headache, guess. Yes, she was home.
Of course. She didn't go out of the
house all night" His insistence on the
point was of itself suspicious, but
eagerness to protect her duIed his
wits
Know anything about GflderP'
Burke demanded.
Not a thing was the earnest an
swer-
: The inner. door opened, and Mary
Turner entered the Office Carson with
difficulty suppressed the cry of distress
that rose to his lips. For a few mo-
ments the silence was unhroken. Then
presently Burke by a gesture directed
the girl to advance toward the center
OF the room as she obeyed he himself
went a little toward the door, and
when it opened again and Dick Glider
appeared he interposed to check the
young mans rush forward as his gaze
fell on his bride, who stood regarding
him with sad eyes.
Them while still that curious, dy-
briskly into the office.
Say Chief the detective said rap
idly. they've squeaIed.''
--Squealed, chi? Do they tell the
same story7'' And then when the de-
tective had answered in the afirma-
tive he went on speaking in tones pom
derous with self complacency.
t'I-wa right. then, after albright all
the time Good enough OF sudden
his voice doomed somberly Mary
Turner, 1 want you for the murder
Of
GArson's rush halted the sentence.
He had ieaped forward. His face was
rigid He broke on the inspectors
words with a gesture of fury His
voice came in hiss:
''That's lfeI l did it!'