The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-03-13

clemency I should expect the matter
to be chiefly important TO myself In
point of fact, hope to make it equally
interesting to you. Whether you give
me a pardon in fashion which vf0-
Iates all precedent, or whether I sur
render myself and go back to a trial
which will be merely a form of assas-
sination rests entirely with you. sir.
You will not find me fnsistent."
Then Samson launched into the
story OF his desires and the details of
conditions which outside influences
had been powerless to remedy-be-
cause they were outside influences.
Some man of sufficient vigor and COM
prehension, acting from the center OF
disturbance, must be armed with the
power to undertake the housekeeping,
and for while must do work that
would not be pretty. AS far as he was
personally concerned, a pardon after
trial would be a matter of purely aca-
demic interest. He could not expect
to survive a trial. He was at present
able to hold the Souths in leash. If
the governor was not of that mind he
was now ready to surrender himself
and permit matters to take their
course.
And now, Mr. South" suggested
the governor, after half-hour of abb
sorbed listening, there is one point
you have overlooked. Since in the end
the whole thing comes back to the ex-
ercise of the pardoning power, it is
after all the crux of the situation. You
may be able to render such services as
those for which you volunteer. Let US
for the moment assume that to be true.
You have not yet told me a very i'm
portant thing. Did you or did you not
kill Purvy and Hollis?"
81 killed dollis,'' said Samson, as
though he were answering a question
as to the time of day, land I did not
kill Purvy."
kindly" suggested the governor,
give me the full particulars of that
affair"
The two were still closeted when a
second visitor called and was told that
his exce1Iency could not be disturbed.
The second visitor, however, was so in
sistent that the secretary finally con-
scented to take IN the card. After a
glance at it his chief ordered admis-
sion.
The door opened and Captain Cal
lomb entered.
He was now in civilian clothes,
with portentous news written on his
face. He paused in annoyance at the
sight of a second figure standing with
back turned at the window. Then
Samson wheeled and the two men rec
ognized each other. They had met be
fore only when one was in olive dTab;
the other in jeans and butternut. At
recognition Callomb's face fell and
grew troubled.
You here, South" he exclaimed.
81 thought you promised me that l
shouldn't find you. God knows I didn't
want to meet you"
Nor you," Samson spoke slowly.
81 supposed you'd be raking the hills -
Neither of them was for the moment
paying the least attention to the gov
ernor, who stood quietly looking on.
81 sent Merriweather out there, s.
explained Callomb. impatiently. 81
wanted to come here before it
was too late. God knows, South,
I wouldn't have had this meet
ing occur for anything under heaven.
1t leaves me no choice. You are
indicted on two counts, each charg-
ing you with murder" The officer took
step toward the center of the room.
His face was weary, and his eyes wore
the deep disgust and fatigue that come
from the necessity of performing a
hard duty.
You are under arrest" he added
quietly, but his composure broke as he
stormed. Nov, by God. I've got to
take you back and let them murder
you, and you're the man who might
have been useful to the state"