The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-06-15
BIT by bit he purrowed out the senti
ent facts.

Bit by bit he Durrowed out the senti-
ent facts.
so the case hinges on what kind
OF a case that tricky Boydston Is go
ing to put up?' he remarked "The
weakness of Mr.. Danvers is in not
knowing what the defense is to be,
eh? I'll wager it's a black plot, for
know Boydston. He's a hard, cruel,
crooked man."
John Walters said little after that,
Incident occurred that shocked and
alarmed Mary. Little Freddie, tod
ding about his father, had pushed
from his coat pocket tool. It fell
to the floor. John flushed and Mary
paled.
"Oh, john" she gasped in horror,
for in a fash she recognized the tool
as a burglarious implement-a pick
lock. She had seen such in his past
career.
Don't worry, Mary" said John,
with affected lightness. I'm net 60
ing to get into any trouble
but the picklock, John" quavered
Mary. ut can mean no honest pur-
pose"
II give you my word have not
thought Of returning to my old wicked
way" spoke John solemnly, and Mary
was sure she read honesty in his eyes,
and was compelled to be content.
Il shall not be home till late he
wrote Mary three nights later, and
her soul was rent with anguish. Had
John met with his old companions?
Had he again fallen by the waysde?
Midnight. one o'clock, two o'clock,
three and then-his step, brisk and
steady, his voice clear and happy, and
then he folded her in his arms.
take that" he said, releasing her
and drawing forth the picklock.
Don't shrink from it, girl! It's paid
a big debt, as you'll know later. Tie
a bow of pretty ribbon around it, and
hang it on the wall for an ornament.
Some time I'll tell you a story about
it that will make you proud Of me.
Go to bed, dear; l have some work to
do"
Then way up to dawn, John Walters
sat copying in a clear, legible hand
pages of rough penciled notes. He
had the neat manuscript all complet-
ed and folded as Mary announced
breakfast.
Il want you TO take these papers
to your good friend, Mrs. Danvers," he
explained
why, John?' spoke Mary in sur
prise; what are they?"
THE complete outline of the case
that scamp, Boydston, has against Mr..
Danvers. Don't you understand? 1
had quite a seance all alone by myself
in the Boydston Office last night. My
old trade, you know, getting past the
door. The strong box was a mere
bread can against my skill. 1 copied
all l needed, and old Boydston had a
forgery or two among the documents.
More than that, you get word to Mr..
plans to use on the stand are profess
sional hired perjurers. | happen to
know them. I've got the goods on
them that would land them in prison.
I'll see to it that they don't appear
on the day Boydston expects them,
trust me, and Mr.. Danvers will win
his case"
But, oh! John, if they find out
THAT l tried my old trade for a
good cause?" cried John-"let them!
I'm proud of it, but they won't and
Mr.. Danvers will win his great case"
And what John Walters predicted
came about. The day of the trial
there was a discounted and bafiled
legal antagonist and a rightful tri-
umph for Robert Danvers-and the
big fee, and fervid happiness for
Edna, and for the humble burglar a
new start in life when Mr.. Danvers
learned of his grateful part in the
affair.