Putnam patriot., 1914-05-22

say. ne exclaimed, Il IL bet Its the
| first time a guy was ever eroaked with
one of them thingsi Amt it?'
The inspector nodded affirmation.
"Some class to that, eh?" Carson de-
handed, still with that grewsome air
of Boosting Il got the gun and the
Maxim sileneer thing off 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, 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 l had it-nobody in
the world" he declared. "And mo-
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
| | learned the truth about what he'd
| framed up with you" The speakers
| voice reverted to its former fierceness
in recollection Of the treaehery 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 Godp'
The inspector nodded dismissal to
the stenographer, with an air of relief.
That's ALL Williams" he said heay-
/ lily. Hell sign it as soon as you've
| transcribed the notes"
Then as the stenographer left the
| room Burke turned his gaze on the
woman, who stood there in a posture
| IF 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 briskly,
its Just like l told you. You can't
beat the law. Carson thought he
eould-and now He broke off, with
I wave of his hand toward the man
who had just sentenced himself to
ieath in the electric chair.
That's right" Carson agreed. with
somber intensity. His eyes We're grown
! clouded again now, and his voice drag
ged leaden That's right. Mary" he
repeated duly. after a little pause
you can't beat the law? He hes
| itated a little, then went on, with
certain curious embarrassment. land
this same old law says 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
her. There was a smoldering despair
in that look. There were, as well, an
entreaty and command
go" he went on, "you must go along
with him, Mary. Won't you? It's the
best thing to do"
The girl could not answer. There
was a clutch on her throat just then,
which would not relax at the call OF
aer will.
OF a sudden, an inspiration came to
him. means to snap the tension, to
create a diversion wholly efficacious.
He would turn to his boasting again,
would call upon his vanity, which he
knew well as his chief foible, and
make it serve as the foil against his
love.
you want to cut out worrying about
me-" he counseled. bravely. Why,
amt worrying any. myself-not little
Bit You See it's something new I've
pulled off. Nobody ever put over any
thing like Ii before"
He faced Burke with a grin of gloat-
ing again.
sI'll bet there'll be lot of stuff In
the newspapers about this, and my pic
ture. too. In most of 'em! WhatT
The mans manner imposed on
Burke. though Mary felt the torment
that his vainglorying was meant to
mask.
SAY" Carson continued TO the in
| spector. IF the reporters want any
| mixtures of me could / have some new
ones taken? The one you've got OF me
in the gallery is over ten years OLD.
I've taken off my beard since then.
| Can have a new one?"
"Sure you can, Joe I'll send you up
TO the gallery right now
"Immenser' Carson cried boisterous-
ly. He moved toward Dick Glider,
walking with a faint suggestion OF
swagger TO cover the nervous tremor
that had seized him.
$50 long. young fellow he exciaim-
ed and held out his hand. You've
been on the square, and | guess you
always will be-"
Dick had no scruple in elasping that
extended hand very warmly In his
own.
..we'n do what we can for you be
said simply.
THAT'S all right" Carson replied,
with such carelessness of manner as
he could contrive. Then at last ne
turned to Mary. This parting must be
bitter. and he braeed himself with all
| the vigors Of his win to combat the
weakness that leaped from his soul.
As be came near the girl could hold
| herself In leash no longer. She threw
4 -