Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-01-17

was alarmed-he felt that he was in no
danger of being convicted of the murder,
but he was anxious to keep his name out
of unpleasant association with the crime
for number of perfectly manifest rea-
sons and one that was not manifest-he
was engaged to a very charming young
woman, Miss Nancy Thompson. The en-
gagement was a secret, but he was afraid
that it would leak out and Miss Thomp-
sons name and picture would be staring
at the young girl from the front pages of
the newspapers.
Within a few hours after the newspa-
pers had taken this tack he was in con
sultation with Mr.. Hurley Mr.. Hurley
was a smoothly polished professional man
of about 40, who maintained a handsome
office, but practiced little in the courts,
| apparently.
! Young Argyle was not satisfied with
the counsel of his fathers lawyer The
/ latter advised ignoring the publicity that
must inevitably attend the murder; do
/ ing all that lay within their power to aid
! the police and wait for results.
! His Legal Advice.
| 81 can't wait for results!' declared
| Bruce. This thing is getting on my
nerves and on Mary's and Nancys. For
the sake of all of us it has to be cleared
up right away"
We'll, l do not see that we can hurry
matters any" said Mr. Hurley in his
most soothing professional manner
mo, l guess you don't" returned
Bruce, little bitterly Il didn't either.
! But something has to be done"
wait, young man, wait" Mr.. Hurley
J advised him ''Tba nOliCa will sIIralv
/ get on the right track within another day
or two
Tho police" snorted Argyle. They
| have been getting on the right track for
nearly a week and all they have done
so far is make newspaper stories that are
as ridiculous as they are offensive"
THE truth can not hurt anyone, mild
] ly objected Mr.. Hurley
YES 1t can, too retorted Bruce 1T
! is true, that l was the last person with
my father and that l can't prove that l
wasn't there when he was killed, and you
bet that hurts like the dickens!'
| 1T does not prove that you killed him, -
remarked the lawyer, and the burden
| of proof rests upon the state"
/ Yes" broke in Bruce, with rising
scorn. Il like the idea of going on for
weeks this way in the position of the
| killed my father. / want them to prove
who did it-not me to prove that l didn't
or anything else"
well, l suppose they are trying as
hard as they can" said Mr.. Hurley
They seem to be busy enough"
"Oh, yes they're busy Argyle laughed
| grimly. EVERY time they have a spare
man around headquarters they send him
| up to bother me or Mary. and get us to
| tell everything all over again. Mary is
nearly distracted. l suppose they'll be
charging her with the murder in the
newspapers pretty soon and then I'll
| commit a murder that won't be any mys-
| tery!"
Now, Bruce, don't excite yourself"
counseled the lawyer But he seemed
uncomfortable at the mention of Miss
Mazuret. THE truth may be unpleasant.
as you say, but it can never do any
good"
More Stories Expected
| Argyle made an impatient gesture. at
can do some real harm to Mary if she
! breaks down under all this-this 'unpleas-
antness," as YOU call it, he retorted. II
! suppose this thing of the will is bound
to be made public and then there will be
all sorts of new and uastier stories about
| the whole lot Of us"
1T can hardly be avoided conceded
the lawyer, regretfully. Il think myself
| that the press is allowed too much license
in this respect. but that is better than a
crippled and hampered press"
| Argyle frowned at the floor and the
lawyer played with a pen and waited At
| last the young man looked up, apparent
| ~ Gained by private resolve
We'll" he said, with a grim under
| current Of threat in his voice ''Tn give
! the polce-you have SO much faith in
| them-a day longer and then I'll take
charge myself"
The lawyer threw him swift. keen
glance. what are you planning to do?"
| he asked.
| "Never mind!" The young mans Iips
came together. You and your friends.
the police. have had nearly IA week at
| this and haven't gotten anywhere ex-
cepting to make a lot Of trouble for people