Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-03-12

'''W ~
"say, inspector, if you've got anything
on mel
whats the matter with you today.
Joe? You seem nervous" Still. the
official kept on with his writing
NO, l amt nervous" Carson cried.
with a feverish effort to appear calm.
why, what makes you think that?
But this amt exactly the place you'd
pick out as a pleasant one to spend the
morning. He was silent for little,
trying with all his strength to regain
his self control but with small success
Burke believed that his opportunity
was come. His hand slipped into the
pocket where was the pistol, and
clutched it. He stared at Carson
tiercely. and spoke with rush of the
words:
Why did you kill Eddie Griggs?"
II didn't kill him." The reply was
quick enough. but it came weakly.
Again. Carson WAS forced to wet his
lips with Il dry tongue. and to swallow
painfully II tell you. 1 didn't kill
him." he repeated at last, with more
force
You killed him last night-with
this Burke cried, viciously. On the
Instant. the pistol leaped into view,
pointed straight at Carson Why"
the inspector shouted. Come on, now!
Why"
Il didn't tell your Carson was
growing stronger. since at last the
crisis was upon him. He got to his
feet with 1.-THE swiftness Of movement
and sprang close to the desk. He bent
his head forward challengingly, to meet
the glare of his accuSerS eyes.
There passed many seconds, while
the two men battled in silence, will
warning against will. In the end it
was the murderer who triumphed
Suddenly. Burke dropped the pistol
INTO his pocket. and lolled back in his
chair. His gaze fell away from the
man confronting him. In the same in
slant, the rigidity of Garson's form
relaxed. and he Strengthened slowly
"Oh. WE'LL" Burke exclaimed ami
ably. Il didn't really think you did. but
! wasn't ire. so | had to take a
chance. You understand, don't you,
Joe:"
Sure. understand" Carson replied.
with an amiability equal to the inspec-
tors own.
Burke pressed the buZzer as the
agreed signal to Cassidy. Where did
you say Mary Turner was last night"
At the question. all Garson's fears
for the woman rushed back on him
with appalling force.
II don't know where she was" he ex-
claimed doubtfnlly. He realized his
blunder even as the words left his lips,
and sought to correct it as best he
might. why. yes. ! do. too" he went
on. as if assaulted by sudden memory.
IL dropped into her place kind of
late. and they said she'd gone to bed
headache. l guess. Yes. she was home
of course. She didn't so out of the
house all night. His llsistence OH the
point was of itself suspicious. but
eaGerness to protect her dulled his
wits.
Know anything about Glider?
Burke demanded
Not Il thing" was the earnest an
swer
The inner door opened. and Mary
Turner entered the office. Carson with
difficulty suppressed the cry of distress
that rose to his lips. For few mo
ments the silence WAS unbroken. Their
presently Burke by gesture directed
the girl to advance toward the center
of the room. AS she oheyed he himself
Went little toward the door. and
when 1T opened again and Dick Glider
appeared he imterposed to check the
young mans rush forward as his gaze
fell on his bride. who stood regarding
him with sad eyes.
Then. while still that curious. dy
manic silence endured. Cassidy came
briSkly into the Office
Say. chief" the detective said rap
idly. they've squealed."
"Squealed. eh? DO they tell the
same story" And then when the de
tective had answered in the aftirma.
tive he went on speaking in tones pom
derous with self complacency.
Il was right then, after albright ali
the time. Good enough" OF sudden
his voice doomed somberly. Mary
Turner. want you for the murder
Of
Garson's rush halted the sentence
He had leaped forward. His face was
rigid He broke on the inspectors
words with gesture OF fury. His
voice came III hiss:
That's a - lie. l did it!'