Evening star., 1914-08-02

now-or else you've tried to hide it in the wardrobe
And my sister S jewels in your travelling bag You
escaped from prison in America to follow George Con-
way. You have confessed to stealing them and the
jeweled pins You got into this house first by
Of letter you forged That letter exists STILL and my
brother-in-law has told that he did not write it;
that he never met anyone named Emmons; that he
never heard of a plot to steal my sisters wedding
presents; and that he did not think of sending
detective here. You we have strong against
you. Now all your future depends what we decide
to do"
George Conway wouldn't dare swear anything
against Tom Norton" the screwed up courage to
defy her 3None of you had better try it you don't
want ink split your family escutcheon, whatever
you call it."
@We not afraid of you," said Daura. at is too
late for you to try and blackmail us now
aIf you call me b1acknailer, what's this Robert
Troy?' Morton growled. 80
"Robert Troy came to avenge his brother, not to
backrnal He has played noble part in this house.
You're not worthy to have your name spoken in the
same breath with his. You told him things against
George Conway which he believed, and you hoped he
would commit murder. You may have hated my
brother-in-law; but it has that you hated
the Troys far more"
The started if he had been pricked with his
stietto's point.
@How did it to you? What do you mean? No
body knows" he stammered. the words seeming to
speak themselves, in spite of him. then breaking short
off as though he had got control of them at last
@You think that nobody knows" she caught him up
quickly, keeping down the triumph in her voice. "But
you you mistaken"
@If I thought my wife had blabbed I'd make her
suffer for it," the muttered, hadazed by this
blow, almost accidently struck. @Twas for her l let
myself in for the whole business. You know, and his
eyes turned from Daura to Troy, you know my wifes
regular beauty. You've seen her. She was on the
vaudeville stage before she married me, and she's cost
than could make at any straight job. she's
rounded on me"
3The sooner you tell the whole truth, the sooner
you'll know how found out that you'd deceived Mr..
Troy Daura cut in. "And if that's not enough ncen-
tive for you to speak, remember what we do for you
We can let you go Free with money enough to begin Life
again in some country. Make up your mind
which it is to be- silence and prison, the whole truth
and freedom. If you speak, and your story proves
what think and expect it will prove, will make you
present in the of all concerned of the jewels you
meant to steal After what has happened, none of us
will wish to them again; SO can take the
sponsibility of making you this offer"
AWhat do you want my story to prove9' Morton
faltered.
aTel the truth and run the risk of its being what
hope"
WELL-Gerald Troy wasn't the guilty man. p
Morton blurted out, after nstants hesitation.
@That goes without your saying!" the dead mans
brother exclaimed
aAnd it wasn't George Conway"
"Not Conway" Robert Troy cried. 3You are lying
now, you lied before. It what you confessed
prison, and what your wife said, that made
Of his guilt"
II lied then. My wife didn't I told her what I
wanted her to believe; so, she got money she'd help
me to escape, and go after Conway I'd written him
letters-we both had she and l. There lot of
circumstantial evidence against him l could have
brought if chose, and he knew it. But that wasn't
my game at the beginning was in with the other
pledged to stand by him through thick and thin and
get my pay when I'd served my term through if worst
came to worst"
@What other man?' the question came harshly from