The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-05-10

you were trying to rob me. haven't
been anywhere, and assure you
haven't stolen anything. | certainly
have not shot anybody. You see
haven't a gun"
Easy to get rid of that" argued
the chief Suddenly an official fore
finger was thrust into Winthrop's
ing up and down this shore in that
boat all summer. We know that long
nosed boat Of yours. And them rob
berries have been happening just the
nights you've been out. We've been
hiding in the shrubbery ever since
the first one; you've run away from
us twice when Dave there didn't
keep his eyes open. But we've got
you now. You're a darned fool try
ing thing like that when it's as
bright as day. and we've got you!"
And now that you have me. what
are you going to do with me-" Win
throp inquired.
Take you to Jail" the chief re-
piled succinctly. Cough up the sparks
now, like good teller"
Il haven't them" Winthrop denied.
He went to the desk and rang up
John Crowninshield. l saw John when
he ran out Of the house, jumped into
the car Vincent had brought around.
and disappeared down the driveway.
l even knew where he was going.
Just as John turned through the
iron gates into the road Winthrop
gathered together and shaped neatly
the sheets of the novel that lay upon
his desk. made a note In book.
arose. taking the manuscript with him.
and knelt before the safe. He worked
the combination and pulled open the
door,
What you got there?" asked the
chief suspiciously.
"A novel," answered Winthrop.
The chief was regarding the open
door Of the safe with cunning eye.
"A safe!" he calculated. Then he
caught his breath with a puff: Sort
Of careful OF what you write. amt
your"
We'll, rather" Winthrop laughed.
Then. to Hap: Hap, l may want this
If I'm tied up In Jail. See. I'm putting
1t here"
The chiefs hands gripped his Shout
ders and whirled him halfway across
the room, while Jim and Dave closed
in on either side Of the safe.
Well just take peek at that safe.
Full Of novels. guess? Well. just
want to see. You know them rob-
berries have been going on all sum-
mer"
Winthrop looked on, caressing the
wounded arm. 1t was uncomfortable.
and he had struck 1t against a table.
His face was white. and he dropped
into a chair while Hap put sympa-
thetic hand on his shoulder.
Hes got no right to search with
out a warrant" Hap insisted.
Hes doing It," Winthrop replied.
The search revealed nothing but
papers. contracts and such. until. just
as John slapped on the emergency at
Winthrop's door, the detective Jim
held up an inlaid box, beautifully
fashioned and somewhat heavy.
Looks suspicious" he remarked
AID passed 1t to his chief
The chief took 1t and shook 1t in
quiringly.
"Well, we'll take look at this" he
remarked.
Winthrop's figure stiffened. but he
did not arise. He pointed forefinger
first at the chief, then at the inlaid
box in the chiefs hands.
"Crowninshield," he directed, speak
ing to John, who had appeared in the
doorway, mike note Of the con-
tents of that box and hold that man
accountable. He has no search war
rant"
John didn't even blink He came
forward, taking fountain pen and
notebook from his pocket The chief
had given the inlaid box a blow
against a table and the top of it had
fallen open. There came a little cry
from everybody, all differently in
toned, except from Winthrop and from
John, whom nothing could surprise.
The two detectives. Jim and Dave.
gasped with establishment. and the
chief growled in satisfaction.
Diamonds, eh!" he said. And ru-
bies. and-and other things" He
slapped the lid shut suddenly
NO. you don't there" John said
sharply. We'll make note of every
thing
Il know my business" snarled the
chief.
And | know mine. I'm John
Crowninshield of CroWninshieId &
Peabody, attorneys for Mr. Abbott.
Well make a note of everything, my
good man. including the fact that Won