Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-04
The Red Mouse
\ Story of Love, Jealousy and Politics
BY WILLIAM HAMILTON OSBORNE

II is a mere detail. but / should like to know
whether Challoner robbed this man well
as killed him.
Pemmican slowly shook his head
Cant help you out" he answered, for
! never saw tht wallet. I don't know
MurGatrc%d Wen. off on another track.
Very well then; but there's another
thing that you may clear up BY
the way, Pemmican, perhaps you don't know
that Chaloner has confessed?'
Pemmican's physiognomy lost its doleful
appearance. And he cried joyfully:
Confessed? Gee. that's good--great!
Confessed: Well, say, counselor. it just
had to come to that 80
Yes" conceded Murgatroyd but there's
another thing which bothers me, though |
don't know that it complcates matters ex-
actly. It's mere detail again Challoner
| says he shot his man in Room in Cradle
banuShs. You say the quarrel took place
| there: that liargraves went out first. and
| that Cha'loner followed him. Hargraves,
| as we know was found dead in the street
| above. That's right isn't it?'
| Sure" returned PemmCau positively.
| II didn't see him fire the shot: nobody
saw that, It's good thing, though, be-
| cause. between you and me. Prosecutor.
| Notwithstanding my testimony. | thought
| that you'd have some trouble in making out
n case. Circumstances is something, but
! they amt everything, you know
Murgatroyd agreed to this. and added:
| We've got certainty now, because he's
| confcssed--but he's mixed as to the place
| OF the shooting He thinks It was in your
| pace--that you were present, that's all"
| Murgatroyd seemed satisfied. He sat
down at his desk and from a drawer he
| urew box Of cigars. Now he leaned to-
ward Pemmcan, and said confdentialy:
"Pemmican, want your testimony in this
case-l want it right. Have a cigar?"
Pemmican accepted. and finding a ready
match in his pocket, struck II on the heel
OF his boot and lighted the cigar before
the slow-moving Murgatroyd could pass him
his matchbox
Thank you. counselor I have one" he
| Salu ana blew cloud Of smoke to the
ceiling You can depend on me. IN toll
tne truth-the whole truth and nothing but
| the truth, so help me----" His gaze re-
turned again to the plgskin wallet on the
desK' But say ! never saw that thing
| before"
Murgatroyd picked it Nd and spoke in a
still lower tone now
"'emm can, suppose | fiji this with, we'll
say ten thousand dollars and give it to you
now would you testify in this case, eh?"
But, protested Pemmican. II never saw
ten thousand dollars in it-No--"
no, repeated Murgatroyd; but il you
|
thousand dollars, how would you testify
for me?'
Pemmican stolidly shook his head and
answered:
TO the truth. counselor-Im an honest
man."
Murgatroyd stn! persisted.
"How much would you take Pemmican~ ~
ne went on, ito swear that Challoner did
not commit this crime?"
Pemmican started back in a,arp, o,A
once more shook his head.
counselor. Tn an honest man." he an.
wered doggedy
Murgatroyd gave II up as a bad lob.
You're honest, all right Pemmican." he
said You can go back now but IN have
you down again before the trial, and to-
gether Wen go over the testimony care
fully' He placed his hand upon the others
arm You see, I'm most particular about
TINS case The next moment MiXley and
McGrath entered and took Pemnlcan away
Fifteen minutes later Mrs. Challoner ar
rived. She was accompanied by Stevens. the
butler. carrying IL large parcel which he
deposited on the prosecutors table as di-
fected, lie was then dismissed and when
the door had closed on him the man and
the woman stood for few minutes listen
ing IN silence To his retreating footsteps
Then IN low, rapid tones Mrs. Chaloner as
SuTeu tne prosecutor that she had accom-
pilshed her purpose without arousing the
suspicious OF any one--not even the SER
want Murgatroyd noiselessy locked the
door, and putting his hand upon the parcel
on the table. looked at her interrogatlvely.
Nes--the securities--theyre all there, -
she hasrened TO assure him
! shall i"
Mrs Chalioner's hand waved her permis-
sion. The big, heavy parcel had been
clumslly tied up with brown paper This
Murgatroyd tore off, and there stood ra
Vealed two long, sheet-ron boxes old and
somewhat battered They were heavily
sealed and across each on "a pasted piece
of paper appeared in big letters the name
Miriam Challoner."
81 brought them just as they were" She
went On to explain You may break the
seals, scratch off my name. and then they
will be yours to do with as you please .
For the present" Murgatroyd told him.
self, as his eyes fell on the vault door, that
win be their resting place" And turning to
her, he said aloud;
THE deal is closed You understand the
terms? Everything Is left TO me---I am Ia
free your husband-I am to keep your
money!"
Yes" she breathed, as II some heavy
burden had rolled from her young shoulders
And now for the first time Murgatroyd
looked Miriam Challoner full in the face
and said solemnly:
"One thing more: Absolutely no one must
know of this. Not Challoner, nor Thorpe
and above all. not Miss Bloodgood Every.
thing depends on your silence-your silence
is the essence Of this contract. You agree p
Mrs. Challorer bowed.
Il do" And she might have been takins
an oath from the way she said II.
Remember you will say nothing to Mia
Bloodgood - M
rshirley win never know Of Il.
rNost decidedly not Shirley" Hut -,