The labor world., 1914-02-14
WITHIN
THE;LAW
Bv MARVIN DANA
FROM THE PLAY OF
BAYARD WELLER
Copyright, 1913, by the H. K. Fly
company.

mo, you can't help me-" he said sim
ply. MY time has come, Mary. And
I can save you lot Of trouble
Hes right there" Burke calculated.
We've got him cold. So, what's the
use Of ragging you two into it?"
*"Then they go clear?" Carson ex-
claimed, eagerly. They amt even to
be called as witnesses?'
you're onv' Burke agreed.
'1Then, here goes" 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. l shot
English Eddie, because he was a
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, nowv' Burke objected, severe
". 1--WE can't take a confession like
that"
Carson shook his head-spoke with
fercer hatred
because he was a skunk and q
stool pigeon" he repeated. "Have you
got tt?' And then, as the stenograph-
er nodded assent, he went on, less vio-
lently: II croaked him just as he was
going to call the bulls with a police
whistle. 1 used a gun with smokeless
powder. 1t had a Maxim silencer on
it, so that it didn't make any noise.'
Carson paused, and the set despair
of his features lightened little. Into
his voice came tone Of exultation in
describably ghastly. It 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 quizzical grin cro0king his lips.
"Say," he exclaimed, "I'u bet it's the
first time guy was ever croaked with
one Of them things! Amt it,"
The inspector nodded affirmation.
"Some class to that, eh?" Carson de-
manded, still with that grewsome air
of boasting. II got the gun and the
Maxim silencer thing OF Z 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?"
"They sure will, Joev' 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
I speak.
Nobody knew I had it-nobody in
the world" he declared. "And no
body had anything to do with the kill
ing but me.'
WAS there any bad feeling between
you and Eddie Griggs?"
Never till that very minute. Then
1 learned the truth about what he'd
framed up with you" The speakers
voice reverted to it's former fierceness
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 Godw
The inspector nodded dismissal to
the stenographer, with an air of relief.
That's all, Williams" he said heav-
lily. "He'll sign it as soon as you've
transcribed the notes."
Then as the stenegra pher left tho
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 full fed by this victory over
his foes.
Young woman" Burke said brisklv.
Its just like I told you. You can't
beat the law. Carson thought he
cou1d-and now He broke off, with
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 leaden. "That's right. Marv" he
repeated duly, after q little pause
You can't beat the law! He hes
1tated little, then went on, with 2
certain curious embarrassment. "And
this same old law says a woman mus,
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 t(
her. There was a smoldering despai,
IN that look. There were, as well q,
entreaty and command.
$780," he went on, "you must 90 alont
with him, Mary. Won't you? It's tn,
best thing to do"
The girl could not answer. Their,
was clutch on her throat just then
which would not relax at the call O.
her will.
VI sudden, an inspiration came t,
him, a means to snap the tension +,
create a diversion wholly eficacious
he would turn to his boasting again
would call upon his vanity, which h,
knew we'll as his chief foible. AM