Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-11-25

open box on the writing table and was
calmly lighting II, There was nothing
10 be nervous about I'm waiting"
he went on. placidly. when the cigar
was going, III YOU are an officer. you
probably have a warrant. or a reQuisi-
ton, or something OF that sort. Show
1t up"
Il don't need any papers 10 take
you" was the barkeiout retort. Rrof-
FIN had more than once found himself
confronting similar dead walls, and he
knew the worth Of a bold play.
"Oh, yes. you do. You accuse me
Of a crime; did you see me commit
the crime?"
NO"
We'll. somebody did, l suppose.
Bring on your witnesses, II anybody
a identify me as the man you are
after, I'll so with you-without the
requisition. That's fair. isn't it?'
Il know you're the man, and you
know IL, too. d--n well," snapped
Brofin, angered into bandyins words
with his obstinate capture.
That is neither here nor there: |
am not affirming or denying, II is for
you to prove your case, II you can.
And, listen, Mr.. Broffin-perhaps II
will save your time and mine If ! add
that | happen to know that you can't
prove your case"
why can't II"
Just because you can't" Griswold
went on argumentatively. Il know
the facts Of this robbery you speak of;
a great many people know them. The
newspaper accounts said at the time
that there were three persons who
could certainly identify the robber-
the president, the paying teller, and a
young woman. 1t so happens that all
three of these people are at present in
Wahaska. At different times you have
appealed to each of them, and in each
instance you have been turned down.
Isn't that true?"
Brotfin glanced up, scowling.
It's true enough that you-you and
the little black.eyed girl between you
have hoodooed the whole bunch!" he
rasped. But when l get you into
court, you'll find that there are 9TH
ers."
Griswold smiled good-naturedly.
That is a bold, bad bluff, Mr.. Brofin.
and nobody knows it any better than
you do" he countered. you haven't
a leg to stand on. This is America,
and you can't arrest me without a war
rant. And If you could. what would
you do with me without the support
of at least n of your three witnesses?
Nothing-nothing at all"
Broffin laid the pistol on the table,
and put the key of the safety box be-
side it. Then he sat in grim silence
for a full minute, toying idly with a
pair of handouts which he had taken
from his pocket.
by the eternal grappIes!" he said.
at length, half to himself, I've a good
mind to do it anyway-and take the
chances"
Is quick as a flash Griswold thrust
out his hands.
Put them on" he snapped. There
are a hundred lawyers in New Orleans
who wouldn't ask for anything better
than the chance to defend meat your
Brofin dropped the manacles into
pocket and sat back in the swing
chair. "You win." he said shortly;
and the battle was over.
For a little time no word was spo-
ken. Griswold smoked on placidly,
forgetful of the detectives
presence. Yet he was the one who
was the first to break the strained
silence.
you are a game fighter. Mr.. Brof-
fin" he said, land I'm enough Of a
scrapper myself to be sorry for you.
Try n of these smokes-youIl find
hem fairly good-and xcu me for a
minutes. | want to write a let
ter which, if you are going down town,
perhaps you'll be good enough to mail
Tor me-"
He pushed the open box Of cigars
to the detective, and dragged
he lounging chair around to the
other side of the table. There was
stationery at hand, and he wrote rap
dly for a few minutes, covering three
of the manuscript sheets before
le stopped. When the letter was in
addressed, and stamped. he
ossed 1t across to Brofin, face up.
rhe detective saw the address, Miss
Iargery Grierson." and, putting the
into his pocket. got up to 60.
Just one minute more, II you
said Griswold, and, relighting
he cigar which had been suffered to
% out. he went into tie adjoining bed
DOM. When he came back. he had
tut on a light top coat and a soft hat,
nd was carrying a small handbag.
I'm your man. Mr.. Brofin," he said
"Ill go with you-and plead
utility as charged"
Wahaska, the village-conscious. had
Is nine-days' wonder displayed for II
inch.type headlines when the Daily
rehearsing the story of the
lew Orleans bank robbery, told OF the
oluntary surrender Of the robber, and
( his deportation to the southern city
D stand trial for his offense.
Some few there we're who took ex-
options to Editor Randolph's editorial
I the same issue, commenting on the
urrender, and pleading for a suspen.
ion Of judgment on the ground that
luch might still be hoped for from a
ian who had retraced a broad step
l the downward path by voluntarily
ccepting the penalty. Those who OBJ.
m fha editorial wpra of tho mr.