Putnam patriot., 1914-05-22
CHAPTER XIX.
ANGUISH and Bliss.

~ARS0N shouted his confession
without second of reflection.
4 But the result must have been
the same had he taken years
of thought. Between him and her as
the victim of the law, there could be
no hesitation for choice. The prime
necessity was to save her, Mary, from
the tolls of the law that were closing
around her For himself, in the days
to come. there would be Il CHASTITY
dread, but there would never be regret
over the cost of saving her. He had
saved her from the waters-he would
save her until the end, as far as the
power In him might lie.
The suddenness of 1t all held Mary
yoiceless for long seconds. She was
frozen with horror of the event. When,
at last. words came, they were fran
tic prayer of protest
mo, Joe! No! Don't talk-don't
talkr'
Joe has talked" Burke said, signifi-
cantly.
"He did it to protect me-" she stated,
earnestly.
The inspector disdained such futile
argument AS the doorman appeared
in answer TO the buzzer, he directed
that the stenographer be summoned at
once.
Wen have the confession in due
FORM" he remarked. gazing pleasedly
on the three before him.
He's not going to confess Mary
insisted. with spirit.
But Burke disregarded her complete
~. and spoke mechanically to Carson
the formal warning required by the
law
You are hereby cautioned that any
thing you say may be used against
YOU" Then. as the stenographer en-
tered, he went on with lively interest.
"Now. Joer'
Yet once again, Mary protested,
little wildly.
Don't speak. Joe. Don't say word
till we can get a lawyer for your
The man met her pleading eyes
steadily, and shook his head in refusal.
It's no use, my GIRL Burke broke
I'm going to try you and Carson, and
the whole gang for murder-yes every
one of you. And you, Glider" he con-
tinued. lowering on the young man
who had defied him 80 obstinately,
you'll go to the house of detention
as material witness" He turned his
gaze to Carson again, and spoke au-
thoritatiyely: Come ON now, Joe.'
Carson went step toward the desk
and spoke decisively.
If l come through, you'll let her
go-and him?' he added as an after
thought, with nod toward Dick Gil
der.
Wen get the best lawyers in the
country" Mary persisted desperately
Well save you, Joe-well save you!
Carson regarded the dstraught girl
with wistful eyes. But there was no
trace of yielding in his voice as he
replied, though he spoke very sorrow
fully.
mo. you can't help me-" he said sim
ply. MY time has come. Mary. And
can save you lot of trouble
He's right there" Burke calculated
We've got him cold. So, what's the
use of dragging you two into itf'
Then they go clearT' Carson e1-
claimed, eagerly "They amt even to
be called as Witnesses"
You're onr' Burke agreed.
Then, here goesr' Carson cried, and
he looked expectantly toward the
stenographer.
My name is Joe Carson"
"Alias?" Burke suggested.
Alias nothing." came the sharp re-
tort. "Garson's my monaker. | shot
English Eddie, because he was
skunk and stool pigeon. and he got
Just what was coming to him." Vitu-
peration beyond the mere words beat
In his voice now.
Now, noww Burke objected. severe
~. I'VE can't take a confession ike
that"
Carson shook his head-spoke with
fercer hatred
Because he was a skunk ana a
stool pigeon" he repeated. "Have you
got itT' Aud then as the stenograpn-
er nodded assent, he went on, less Vio-
lently: Il croaked him just as he was
going to call the bulls with a ponce
whistle. / used gun with smokeless
powder. 1t had Maxim silencer on
1t, so that 1t didn't make any noise
Carson paused, and the set despair
of his features lightened little Into
his voice came a tone Of exultation IN
describably CHASTITY. Ii was born OF
the eternal egotism of the criminal, rat
tening vanity in gloating over his IN
genuity for evil He stared at Burke
with quizzical grin crooking ms ups