Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1916-11-10

'Sit down." said Burns gently to the
pair whose fascinated gaze was fixed
on the grim thing on the table.
"For the guilty person in this room
will eventually wear those handouts
by free will. There is absolutely no
escape!
Burns, watching, saw a swift, under
standing glance pass between brother
and sister, yet the true meaning Of that
glance he could not fathom, SO blankly
expressiOnless were their faces.
Then Mortimer spoke defantly.
"What's your game?" he asked. do
you expect to gain anything by invad-
ing my rooms and chucking pair of
handouts on the table in that spectac-
ular fashion,"
Il stay right here till something hap
pens," answered the detective, IF I'm
still here for breakfast tomorrow
morning. So take your time, for You
may be doing it before long!'
He smiled and offered Mortimer a
cigarette.
The latter took one and lit it with
the match shaking visibly.
! Then he strolled over to the window
with an effort of nonchalance that did
not deceive the big man watching him
so closely.
| Apparently the woman was not mis-
led by her brothers air Of careless
ness, and If Burns had observed her
then he would have seen look Of con-
tempt in the fever bright eyes resting
on Mortimer.
This expression was engulfed in one
Of almost painful anxiety, however, as
she saw her brother turn sharply and
start toward the motiOnless detective
in the manner Of one whose mind was
made up.
The eyes of the two men were fixed
on each other-Mortimer had crossed
to Burns and opened his mouth to
speak-when a sound shattered the ST.
leEce.
The sound Of steel striking wood.
The men turned and, speeches. with
astonishment, saw the quiet little wo-
man drawing the handouts across the
table to her with slender, blue veined
hands.
For a second she hesitated. horror
visible on her face, almost recoiling.
Then in the hush she slipped the
handouts on her hands, that seemed
much too frail for their cold, merciless
burden.
Then to the detective she said calmly:
81 am ready"
! Burns could hardly conceal his
amaZement.
'"The jewels?" he asked briefly.
Her answer was to motion toward
her muff.
Burns picked it up and drew out a
heavy little jewel case, tight shut by a
snap lock.
/. He slipped it in his pocket with a
satisfed-air.
"Thank you, madam. Will you come
with me?" he said, turning to the door.
She took faltering step toward her
brother and said, her courage suddenly
breaking down:
"Can you ever forgive me, Richard?
II have brought nothing but sorrow
upon you. If only could have spared
you this! All, what fool I've been!
And now it is goodby!'
She turned to Burns, and her brother
rushing forward, threw himself before
the door to block their way.
"You shall not take herr he cried at
Burns furiously.
Then to her, in pleading, broken
tones:
"Madge-Madge!'
"Hush,' she said in reply, with a
certain grave, sweet dignity. 'The sin
is mine, and mine must Of necessity
be the punishment. No, do not kiss
me, even in farewell. By my own act
have brought it on me and now
am an outcast."
When Burns and his prisoner were
about to get into a waiting cab, she
seemed weak, but when Burns at
tempted to aid her in climbing into the
conveyance she refused his proffer
courteously enough, though she shud-
dered at his touch.
compliShed in silence.
Burns was 1ull OF speculatlOps COZ
corning the woman at his side.
The light touched her pale face and
he noted with unaccustomed pity her
appearance and extreme frailty.
Arrived at their destination, Burns
went In to inform his chief of the ar
rest, leaving the woman in an outer
room, guarded by a policeman.
"Well?' asked his superior briefly.
"Rep0rt on the Maiden Lane jewelry
case," he answered CURLY.
"You served the warrantr was the
next question.
mo, but
"But what?" impatiently.
81 worked the old gag Of throwing
the handouts down and trying the
your conscience viii get you trick"
"What do you meanT' quickly. .z
As Burns explained the chiefs face
I, grew more and more grave.
- -