Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-04-15

His Caller Was a Captain of Detec-
Iery photographs of James Montgom-
cry. handing them to the man standing
at the window. Nelson's hand trem-
bled ever so slightly as he looked at
the photographs.
| He does not look like murderer or
"A criminal" be said. as II speaking to
himself. This looks TO be the face Of
some poor boy. some country youth
who might have made one mistake in
| life or who might have been unjustly
accused. IL be committed any crime
there must have been some reason 9th
er than sheer criminal instinct could
hardly believe this boy murderer"
He handed back the pictures 10 the
detective.
II have his finger prints" said Kear-
ney He drew the Bertillon record
from his pocket His uneasiness in
creased. He mopped his brow and felt
! as II some strange. insidious influence
was ut work within him to sidetrack
him from the patti OF duty.
Now. II q man was suspected
wrongly Of being Montgomery" he
suggested, that man would only have
TO give his finger prints and his true
, identity would be shown"
Il know nothing OF such matters"
replied Nelson.
He was prepared TO meet any de-
nIand Of the law save that OF showing
the little wborls, circles. islands and
para bolas in the cuticle OF his fingers.
kearney had taken a little box filed
with charcoal dust from his waistcoat
pocket and was spreading some OF IL
on sheet OF white paper.
He was ready to make the demand
for proof from John Nelson that be
was not James Montgomery.
John Nelson stood watching the
sleuth as he made ready for this single
simple but awful test.
He determined to play for time.
Why. be did not know, for few sec
onds. minutes or even days would
mean little to him now.
If there is anything further you
wish to say" he told Kearney. IL
must ask you to excuse me. This mill
has just been opened and am anxious
about the new operatives. would
not have one OF my girls hurt for all
the money that might be made with
machinery"
He went to wide door which
opened directly into the operating
room. Kearney heard the purring OF
the machinery increase In volume as
Nelson passed through the open door.
He now felt sure that Nelson was
print test would prove it beyond
shadow OF doubt. But he did not
bay his delight as would the real
hound when his quarry was run down
He realized that the task before him
was going TO smack OF danger Mel.
son was fairly idolized by the people
among whom he had found refuge
from the law. These people were
more or less primitive and had sense
Of justice not built upon statutes
reeled or yearly by corrupt legislators.
If the news spread that Nelson bad
been made a prisoner and was 10 be
taken from the community he bad
made better and happier for his exist.
ence there. at least the rough country
people would protest. These people he
had fed when hungry. had succored
from distress and bad sheltered when
shelterless
But he was still the impacable law
officer. the machine-lke product Of
machine government. and be would
run no chance of his man slipping
from him after all these wears re
followed Nelson into the operating
room and saw him greet his wife
Upper and neither files Of bright new
needles CRASHED away steadily M their
work rs the girls fed them with una
terial. and the finished product flowe'
into large wicker baskets
A number of the young women. H.
terested as young women are i'm .
bride and groom. turned at their worn
to watch with many smiles and nod
the greeting between Nelson and Mol
ly. One of the girls. with n heavy
mass OF black hair. had dropped hci
tresses because of the heat OF the day
Nelson saw her turn with a smile {,
speak to another operative several feet
away. In n second he realized be-
danger. A strand of her hair In one |
of the cogs Of the machinery and she
would meet a frightfu death.
He forgot his own terrible predica
ment, although his own fate. trembling
In tho balance. was even worse than
death.
A braid Of the girls hair swept into |
the afeel CO.'S OF the machine che had