The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-02-08

"My name is Joe Carson"
"Alias?" Burke suggested.
"AIlas nothing came the sharp re
tort ''Garson's my monaker. | shot
English Eddie. because he was q
skunk and a stool pigeon. and be got
just what was coming to him" Win
peration beyond the mere words bea;
in his voice now.
Now. nowr' Burke objected. severe
". I'VE can't take a confession IKE
that
Carson shook his head-spoks with
! fercer hatred.
Because he was a skunk and a
| stool pigeon" he repeated. Have you
got it?'' And then, as the stenograph-
er nodded assent. he went on, less vto-
IentIy: 81 croaked him just as be was
| going to call the bulls with a police
whistle. / used gun with smokeiess
! powder. 1t had a Maxim silencer on
it, so that 1t didn't make any noise"
Carson paused, and the set despair
OF his features lightened little Into
his voice came tone OF exuItation in
describably CHASTITY. Il was born OF
the eternal egotism OF the criminal, fat
tening vanity In gloating over his in
genuity for evil. He stared at Burke
with a quizzical grin crooking his lips
Say" he exclaimed. III bet it's the
first time guy was ever croaked with
one of them things! Amt itT'
The inspector nodded affirmation.
Some class to that. eh?" Carson de-
handed. still with that grewsome air
Of Boosting. 81 got the gun and the
Maxim silenceT thing of a fence in
Boston" he explained "Say, that
thing cost me $50, and it's worth every
cent OF the money. Why. they'll re-
member me as the first to spring one
OF them things. won't they?'
'"rhey sure win, JoeT' the inspector
conceded.
Nobody knew had it, Carson con-
tinued. dropping his braggart manner
abruptly.
At the words. Mary started. and her
lips moved as if she were about to
speak.
Nobody knew I had it-nobody in
the world" be declared And no
body had anything to do With the kill
ing but me-"
''VVas there any bad feeling between
you and Eddie Griggs?"
Never till that very minute. Then
learned the truth about what he'd
framed up with you" The speakers
voice reverted to it's former ferceness
in recollection Of the treachery Of one
whom he had trusted.
HE was stool pigeon. and hated
him! That's all. and it's enough. And
It's all true. so help me GOdg"
The inspector nodded dismissal TO
the stenographer. with an air of relief.
That's all. Williams he said heav-
lily. Hell sign 1t as soon as you've
transcribed the notes"
Then as the stenographer left tbs
room Burke turned his gaze on the
woman. who stood there In a posture
OF complete detection. her white. an
guished face downcast. There was
triumph In the inspectors voice as he
addressed her. for his professional!
pride was fun fed by this victory over
his foes,
Young woman" Burke said briskly.
''it's Just like / told you. You can't
beat the law. Carson thought he
a wave Of his hand toward the man
who had just sentenced himself to
death in the electric chair.
That's right Carson agreed. with
Somber intensity. His eyes were grown
ciouded again now. and his voice drag
ged ieaden. That's right, Mary he
repeated duly. after a little pause
you can't beat the law He hes /
itated little, then went on, with q
certain curious embarrassment And +
his same old law says a woman must /
stick to her man"
The girls eyes met his with passion
ate sorrow in their misty deeps Gar
son gave a significant glance toward |
Dick Glider. then his gaze returned to t
her. There was q smOldering despair. /
IN that look. There were. as well. an /
entreaty and command. /
$50" he went on. "you must go along |
with him. Mary. Won't your It's the !
best thing TO do"
The girl could not answer. There .
was 8 clutch on her throat just then. /
which would not relax at the call OF .
her will.
OF a sudden, an inspiration came to !
him. a means TO snap the tension, TO +
create q diversion wholly eficacious.
He would turn TO his Boosting again.
would call upon his vanity, which he
knew we'll as his chief foible. and
make it serve as the foil against hts
love.
You want to cut out worrying about
me- he counseled. bravely. Why,
amt worrying any. myself-not little
biti You see. it's something new I've
pulled of. Nobody ever put over any
thing like 1t before"
He faced Burke with grin OF gloat-
ing again.
"I'u bet there'l be a lot OF stun in
the newspapers about this. and my pic
ture, too, In most OF 'em! WhatT'
The mans manner imposed on