Putnam patriot., 1914-05-15

"what's the matter with you today Joe? You seem nervous Still. the official kept on with his writing.
 ..No. I ain't nervous" Garsun cried. with a feyerish effort to appear calm. ~yhy, what makes yeu think thatf But this ain't exactly the place you'd pick out as a pleasant one to spend the morning." He was silent for little. trying with all his streugth to regain his self control. but with small success.
 Burke believed that his opportunity WAS come. His hand slipped into the pocket where was the pistol. and elutehed it. He stared at Carson fiereely. and spoke with rush of the words.
 Why did you kill Eddie Griggs?" Il didn't kill him." The reply was quick enough, but it came weakly. Again, Carson was forced to wet his lips with dry tongue, and to swallow painfully. "l tell you. l didn't kill himr' he repeated at last, with more force.
 You killed him last night-with thisr' Burke cried, vieiously. On the instant, the pistol leaped into view, pointed straight tt Carson. ''Why?" tine inspector shouted. Come on, now! Why?"
 .I didn't. I tell you,' Carson was growing stronger. since at last the crisis was upon him. He got to his | feet with 1.-the swiftness of movement and sprang close to the desk. He bent bis head forward chaliengingly, to meet the glare of his accuser's eyes. There passed many seconds, while | the two men battled i'll silence will warning against will. h the end it was the murderer who triumphed.
 Suddenly, Burke dropped the pistol l Into his pocket, and lolletl back in his chair. His gaze fell away from the man confronting him. ln the same in 1 stant. the rigidity of Garsons form relaxed. and he straightehed slowly.
 "Oh. we'll" Burke exclaimed ami ably. T didn't really think you did, but
 wasn't sure, so had b take a chance. You understand, don't you,
 Joe?s
 Sure. understand. Carson replied, with an amiability equal to the inspec- tors own.
 Burke pressed the huzzer as the I agreed signal to Cassidy. Where did 1 you say Mary Turner was last nightf'' At the question, all Garson's fears
 for the woman rushed back on him
 with appalling force.
 ..I 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 ht { might. "Why. yes. do. too," he wen
 on. as if assailed by sudden memory
 I dropped into her place kind of
 late. and they said she'd gone to bed
 headache, guess. les, 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 dulled his | wits.
 ..Know anything about GilderT
 Burke demanded.
 Not a thing" was the earnest an l swer
 The inner door opened, and Mary 1 Turner entered the office. Carson with i difficulty suppressed the cry of distress | that rose to his lips. For a few mo l ments the silence was unbroken. Then l presently Burke by a gesture directed | the girl to advance toward the center 1 of the room As she obeyed he himself went a little toward the door. and 1 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,
 Then, while still that curious, dy- | mamie silence endured, Cassidy came briskly into the 3fIice
 Say. chief" the detective said rap l Idly. 'they'ye squealed. "Squealed, eh? Do they tell the same story?' And then when the de- tective had answered in the affirma- tive he went oil speaking in tones pom derous with self complacency. n, pa Cortfnuedl