The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-08

No. II.
The old man moved slowly into the
room, still gazing at Balm as though ne
was trying to remember where he hao
seen him before.
His testimony fell like a bombshell
on the LAWYERS ears and he could hardly
believe that the poplice would credit
the strangers story. 1t was all very
we'll for some unknown person to come
along and say that a man ike MIN
Self had stabbed a girl on CROWDED, up
per Broadway, but it would be announcer
thing for him to find anyone to peheVe
it.
The inspector resumed his seat at lne
desk also favoring Balm with a LOOK
of speculation, much as though he was
weighing the possibility of his having
handled the knife that had ripped open
Frances fuckers side.
"Who are your" Balm suddenly asked
turning upon the old man.
''rll do the questioning here, the m
spector put in. "Take your place over
theme. INV man." he continued, turning
IN the stranger. Now let's have your
story. What do you know about tnls
case?"
1T don't know very much, was tne
VI wheeling, half apologize response but
was passing along Broadway wnen ,nis
man and the young lady came out OF the
restaurant I happened TO pc iooAiiie
in their direction, and | saw MIN take
knife out of his pocket and stao the
girl in the side She tainted. or dropped
to the sidewalk. I couldn't be sure which,
for a crowd collected, and 1 was showed
to one side l suppose / should have
told the officer who took him away,
but I was so excited l didn't know Just
what to do Then I got to thinking
about it afterward and / came down mere
thinking 1 might do some good.
A laugh broke from Ballin's lips, ana
turning to the inspector, he exclaimed:
You know that isn't so. A man is his
right mind doesn't get mixed up In
deal like this, just because he wants 10
do his country favor. It's ridiculous.
The inspector was on the point of in
terruptng, but BALM checked him with
a gesture of his hand.
"You know, don't you," he continued,
sti1 speaking to the old man, "that you
are getting yourself into serious trouble?
In the first place you'll be locked UP as
a material witness. You know that, OF
course, and then I'll send you to Sing
Sing for a cheerful young term for bear
ing false witness against me. Law is
my business, and I'll take particular
trouble to see that you get ali that's
coming to you.
The other visibly cringed before Bal
Inns irate stare, but the inspector, rising
to his feet, held up his hand for 81
lence.
II don't know you." he said to Balm.
It don't know this man, either, so I'm
going to send both of you over to the
Tombs, and you can explain the whole
thing to the judge in the morning. Gala
ham," he continued, turning to the Of
ficer, take these men over
With abrupt suddenness the door
opened and a man walked into the room.
Starting in surprise, Balm suddenly
grinned with relief for the newcomer was
Judge Crane, a man whom he had known
since he was a small boy, and who looked
Upon him more In the light of a son
than anything else.
he exclaimed waking to Balm and
resting his hand on his shoulder What
trouble have you been getting into now,
for heavens sake?"
you heard l was down here?" BALM
returned, look of blank surprise pass
ing across his face. How the deuce did
YOU hear THAR
kr ow," he laughed. adding Sounds fool
ish. doesn't It? Here's what happened
We were at diner when / was called te
| tho telephone. 1t was woman whc
| wanted to speak to me. She wouldn't
give me her name, and all she said was
| that YOU were down here in trouble"
"A woman" Balm repeated, and in
stantly the name of Frances Tucker fit
ted across his mind. But even then he
reasoned to himself. how could she hav'
| known where hs was. She had been un
| conscious, and again. how could sht
know that tho officer would have takeT
him to police headquarters, the usua
| procedure would have been to take {
prisoner to the precinct station house -