The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-11-16

| WuSC give yeuFBelI Up TO the lneXOf-
able law. You can't help it,
"IIow do you know. he is guilty?"
asked the woman, speaking for the
6rst time since the entrance Of the de-
tective.
"If he Is he will tell me SO OF his
own free will. Herew and Burns toss
ed on the table near by q pair Of hand
cuffs.
The chill steel fell on the wood with
an ominous clank. --
"Sit down." said Burns gently to the
pair whose fascinated gaze was fixed
oil the grim thing on the table.
For the guilty person In this room
Will eventually wear those handcuGs-
by free will There is absolutely no
escaper'. nj
Burns, watching, saw swift, undes.
standing glance pass between brother
and sister, yet the true meaning Of that
] glanco he could not fathom, 80 blankly
expressionless were their faces.
Then Mortimer spoke defiantly.
What's your gamer he asked. do
you expect to gain anything by invad-
ing my rooms and chucking q pair OF
handouts ON the table in that spectac,
ular fashion,
Il stay right here till something hap.
pens." answered the detective. III 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 q
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. ~
she saw her brother turn sharply ana
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-Mortinler had crossed
/ to Burns and opened his mouth to
speak-when a sound shattered the 81
/ leEce.
The sound Of steel striking wood
The men turned AMI, -snsechless 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 OH her face, almost recoiling.
Then in the hush she slipped the
handouts on her hands, that seemed
| much too frail for their cold. merciless
I burden -
+ Then to the detective she said calmly:
7 7T am ready" ...
+" Burns could hardly conceal his
nmazement. .
"Thc jewelsT' he asked briefly. = F.
f Her answer was to motion toward
1 her muff' -. =.
Burns picked It up and drew out
heavy little jewel case. tight shut BY
snap lock.
He slipped 1t in his pocket with a
satisfied DIR. >, s...s..
THANK you, madam. WIN you come
with me2' he said, turning to the door.
/ :, She took a faltering step toward her
brother and said. her courage suddenly
breaking down: s.sl, :s.t.sg. = f.
=, Can you ever forgive. me. Richard?
l have brought nothing but sorrow
upon you. If only could have spared
you this! All, what fool I've been!
And now it is goodbyT +.
|. She turned to Burns, and her brother
rushing forward, threw himself before
the door to block their way. 80 -
You shall not take herr he cried at
Burns furiously. t.s.
Then to her, in pleading, broken
tones: e. r.
'""Madge-Madgel' ..-.-
"Hush," she said in reply, with
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
l have brought 1t on me and now l
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.
/ The drive to headquarters was ac-
complished In silence.
/ Burns was full of speculations con-
cerning 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 At
rest, leaving the woman In an outer
room, guarded by policeman.
| 'Well?" asked his superior briefly.
Report on the Maiden Lane .Jewelry
case" he answered curtly.
"You served the warrant?" was the
next question.
/ mo, but
But what7" impatiently.
! 81 worked the old gag OF throwing
the handouts down and trying the
your conscience will get you trick"
| what do you mean?" quickly.
/ AS Burns explained the chiefs face
grew more md Elore grave