Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-22

that. Now, Just you sit down. Joe
7 won't you? / want 10 have littl.
/ talk with you. I'll be through here ir
a second" He went on with the writ
7 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 impressive figure OF the
man at the desk Now the forger's
nervousness increased momentarily. II
swept beyond his control. OF a sud
den he sprang up and stepped close TO
the inspector.
Say" he said, IN a husky voice. I'D
like-Id like TO have a lawyer"
What's the matter with you. Joe?"
the inspector returned, always with
that imperturbable air. and without
raising his head from the work that
50 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 il in a limp attitude OF detection
wholly unlike his customary postures
OF strength. Again. his fear fascinated
eyes went 10 the row Of cells that stood :
silently menacing on the other side Of
. h. L. 81
face was tinged with gray. 4 physical
sickness was creeping ste2ithily I
him. as his thoughts held inyistentIy .
to the catastrophe that threatened. His
intelligence was too keen to permit a
belief that Burke's manner of almost
fulsome kindness hid nothing omin-
with a hint OF death for
him in return for the death he had
wrought.
Then, terror crystalliZed. His eyes
were caught by 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 noisiIy.
Carson sat huddled. Stricken-for he
rad recognized the victim thrust into
he cell before his eyes II was Dacey.
'ne Of his own cronies in crime
Dacey. who. the night before. had seen
lin kill Eddie Griggs. There was
concretely sinister TO Car
on in this fact Of Dacey's presence
here in the cell.
or n sudden the forger cried out rau-
,ously:
Say. inspector. II you've got any
hing on me. IL would The cry
ropped into unintelIigible mumblinrs.
Burke retained his manner OF serene
TO the others agitation.
till. his pen hurried over the paper.
nd he did not trouble TO look up as
g expoStulated. half banteringly.
Now. now, What's the matter with !,
GU. Joe: / told you that ! wanted 10
SIX you few questions. That's all" y,
But. after a moment. GarsOn's emo
on forced him 10 another appeal.
say. Inspector he began.
Then. abruptly. he was silent. his
louth still open TO utter the words
nat were now held back by horror. .
gain. he saw the detective walking :
,rward. out there in the corridor. And .
18th him. as before. was a second fig-
re. which advanced slinkingly.
Again the door swung wide the pris- =
Ter slipped within. the door changed =
tut. the bolts Gathered noisiIy into !,
Ieir sockets. :
And. in the watcher. terror grew =.
II he had seen the face OF Chicago / .
ed. another OF his pals, another who !,
ID seen him kill Griggs. At last he >
'ked his dry lips. and his voice broke .
a throaty whisper \
Say, inspector. IL you've got any n
ing sgainst me. Why .
Who said there was anything v
ainst you. Joe?" Burke rejoined. in
voice that was genially Gliding. =