Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-03-09

open box on the writing table and was
calmly lighting It. There was nothing
to be nervous about. I'm waiting"
he went on, placldly. when the cigar
was going. IF you are m officer. you
probably have a warrant, or a reQuisi.
ton, or something Of that sort. Show
1t up"
Il don't need any papers to take
| YOU" was the barked.out retort. Brof-
fin had more than onc 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?"
mo"
well, somebody did. ! suppose.
Bring on your witnesses. II anybody
can identify ME rs the man you are
after. I'll go with you-without the
requisition. That's fair. isn't it,"
Il know you're the man, and you
know it. too. d--n Welt" snapped
Brotlin, angered into bandying words
with his obstinate capture.
THAT is neither here nor there: |
am not affirming or denying. 1t is for
you to prove your case, II you can.
And, listen, Mr.. Brotin-perhaps 1t
will save your time and mine II l 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 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?"
Brotiin glanced up. scowling.
ITS true enough that you-you and
the little black-eyed girl between YOU
have hoodooed the whole bunch!" he
rasped. But when ! get you into
court, you'll find that there are 9th.
ers."
Griswold smiled good.iaturedly.
That is a bold, bad bluff, Mr.. Broffln,
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 a
rant. And If you could, what would
you do with me without the support
of at least one 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 grapples!" he said.
at length, half to himself. i've a good
mind to do it anyway-and take the
chances"
As 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
expense!"
Broffin dropped the manacles into
his 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.
seemingly forgetful Of the detectives
presence. Yet he was the n who
was the first to break the strained
silence.
you are a game fighter, MIR. Brof-
fin," he said, land I'm enough of a
scrapper myself to be sorry for you.
Try one of these smokes-youIl find
them fairly good-and excuse me for a
few minutes. l want to write a let.
ter which, II you are going down town,
perhaps you'll be good enough to mail
for me-"
He pushed the open box of cigars
across to the detective, and dragged
the lounging chair around to the
other side of the table. There was
stationery al hand, and he wrote rap.
idly for a few minutes, covering three
pages of the manuscript sheets before
he stopped. When the letter was in.
closed, addressed, and stamped. he
tossed It across to Brofln, face up.
The detective saw the address, Miss
Margery Grierson," and. putting the
letter into his pocket, got up to go.
Just one minute more. If you
please" said Griswold. and. relighting
the cigar which had been suffered to
20 out, he went into the adjoining bed.
room. When he came back. he had
put on a light top coat and a soft hat,
and was carrying a small handbag.
I'm your man, Mr.. Broffin." he said
quietly. "IIl go with you-and plead
guilty as charged"
Wahaska, the village-conscious, had
its n~ine-days' wonder displayed for It
in inch.type headlines when the Daily
Wahaskan,% rehearsing the story Of the
New Orleans bank robbery, told Of the
voluntary surrender Of the robber, and
of his deportation to the southern city
to stand trial for his %offense.
Some few there we're who took ex.
ceptions to Editor Randolph's editorial
in the same issue. commenting on the
surrender, and pleading for a suspen-
sion of judgment on the ground that
much might still be hoped for from a