Putnam patriot., 1914-05-15


 Rurke declared. trueulently. You see, we've traced the Maxim silencer. Gar son himself bought it up in Hartford" For the first time. Mary was caught of her guard
 But he told me- she began. then checked herself.
 "What did he tell your" Burke ques- toned.
 He told me that he had never seen one. Surely, if he had had anything of the sort. he would have shown 1t to me"
 Burke pressed the button on the desk. and when the doorman appeared ordered that the prisoner be returned to her cell.
 T suppose" Mary said, that it's nseless for me to claim my constitu- tional rights. and demand to see awyerT
 Yes" Burke agreed. you've guessed t right, the first time.'
 Cassidy came hurrying in with grin of satisfaction on his stolid face.
 Say. chief" the detective said with animation. we've got Carson"
 Burke asked Glider and the district attorney to withdraw, while he should have private conversation with the prisoner.
 Now" he said when they were alone together, I'm going to be your friend" Are youT' Mary's tone was non- eommittal.
 Yes" Burke declared, heartily. And I mean jti Give up the truth about young Glider. 1 know he shot Gfiggs. of course. But I'm not taking any stock in that burglar story-not little bit. No court would either. What was really back of the killing? Was he jealous of Griggs? Well, that's what he might do then. He's always been a worthless young cub. A rotten deal like this would be about his gait. guess Tell me, now, why did he shoot Eddie Griggs?''
 There was coarseness a-plenty in the inspectors pretense. but it possessed solitary fundamental virtue; it play ed on the heart of the woman whom he questioned, aroused it to wrath in de- fense of her mate. In a second, all boise fled from this girl whose soul was bossoming in the blest realization that man loved her purely, unseltish- ly. Her words came stumbling in their haste.
 He didn't kill him He didn't kill himr' she fairly hissed. Why, he's the most wonderful man in the world. You ShaH't hurt him! Nobody shall hurt him! I'll fight to the end of my life for Dick Gilderi''
 Burke was beaming joyously.
 Well, that's just what l thought, he said, with snug content And now. then, who did shoot Griggs? We've got every one of the gang. They're all crooks See here" he went on. with sudden change to the respectful in his manner, why don't you start fresh? I'll give you every chance in the world. I'm dead on the level with you this time''
 By now Mary had herself well in hand again vastly ashamed of the short period of self betrayal caused bS the officials artifice against her heart As she listened to the inspectors as- surances. the moeking expression of her face was not encouraging to that astute individual but he persevered manfully.
 Just you wait" he went on cheer fully, and I'll prove to you that I'm on the level about this, that I'm really your friend. There was a letter came for you to your apartment My men .l f1 'un Here it is. I'll read 1t to your
 He picked up an envelope, which had been lying on the desk. and drew out the single sheet of paper it contained. Mary watched him, wondering much more than her expression revealed over thls new development. Then, as she listened, quick interest touched her features to q new life.
 This was the letter:
 can't go without telling you how sor- " l am. There won't never be time mat won't remember 1t was me got you sent up; that you did time in my place ain't going to forgive myself ever. and swear I'm going straight always our true friend HELEN MORRIS. For once, Burke showed a certain aelicacy. When he had finished the reading, he said nothing for long minute.
 Mary's eyes were luminous in the Joy of the realization that for her, after all, rehabilitation might be in mea- sure possible. though nothing could ever repay the degradation of years Infinitely worse than lost
 Burke's harsh voice. cadenced to singular sympathy. broke in on her feYerie of pleasure and of pain
 You knew this?'' he inquired.
 Yes. two days ago.
 Did you tell old Gilder?' he asked Mary shook her head in negation-
 What would be the usef" she re minded him. Il had no proof. No one would believe me"
 They'd believe this. Why, this let ter sets you clear. If old Glider should See this letter. there's nothing he wouldn't do to make amends to you lies square guy himself. if it comes 10 that, even If he was hard on you Why, this letter wipes out everything. Then, the insistent question beating st his brain forced him to speak roughly, building hone on the letters