South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-03

You've caught the beast with the
goods"
Bobby released the slender fingers.
He saw them vanish through the
opening He left the bed and re-
luctantly approached the door TO the
private hall. Excited phrases roared
in his ears. He scarcely dared listen
because Of their possible conhrma-
ton Of his doubt. The fingers. he re-
peated TO himself, had been too
slender. The moment that had freed
him from fear of his own guilt had
constructed in its place an uncer-
tainty harder TO face. Yet there was
nothing to be gained by waiting.
Sooner or later he must learn wheth-
er Katherine had hidden the evil
dence, whether she had used the
stout and deadly hatpin, whether
she struggled now in the grasp of
vindictive men.
A voice from the corridor arrest
ed him.
Bobby"
Katherine stood in the opposite
doorway. Her presence there, be-
yond a doubt, was her exculpation.
He crossed the sOmbre room. He
grasped her hands. He smiled hap
PLY. After all, the hand he had held
was not as slender as hers.
Thank heavens you're here"
In a word he recited the result OF
his vigil.
1T clears you" she said. "Quicki
We must see who it is"
But he fingered. for he wanted
that ugly fear done with once for
ALL
You can tell me now how the
evidence got in your room"
II can't" she said. Il don't
know"
The truth Of her reply impressed
him. He looked at her and wondered
that she should be fully dressed.
why are you dressed?" he ask
ed.
She was puzzled.
why not? l don't think any one
had gone to bed"
But it must be very late. l sup
pose il was the same time-half-
past two"
She started 10 cross the room.
She laughed nervously.
at isn't H."
He recalled his interminable an
ticipation among the shadows of
the old room.
i've watched there only little
more than an hour"
Not much more than that Bob
by"
What a coward! Ia have sworn
it was nearly daylight"
She pressed his hand.
NO. Very brave" she whispered.
Let us see if it was worth it,"
They stepped through the door
way. Half way down the hall Robin
son, Graham and Rawlins held a
fourth, who had ceased struggling.
Bobby paused. yet. since seeing
Katherine step from the corridor.
his reason had taught him TO expect
just this.
The fourth man was Paroles.
nearly effeminate. slender-fingered.
Carlos" Bobby cried. You can't
have done these unspeakable
things!"
The Panamaniau stared without
answering. Evidently he had had
time TO control his chagrin, 10
smother his revolt from the future;
for the thin face was bare of emo
ton. The depths of the eyes as
usual turned back scrutiny. The
man disclosed neither guilt nor the
outrage of an assumed innocence;
neither confession nor denial He
simply stared. straining trife
against the eager hands Of his cap
tors.
Rawlins grinned JoyOusly.
You ought TO have a medal for
getting away with this. young fell
low. Things didn't look so happy
for you an hour or so ago"
And l had half a mind" Robin
son confessed, ito refuse you the
chance. Glad l didn't. Glad as can
be YOU made good"
With the egotism any man is like
ly to draw from his efforts in the
detection OF crime he added easily:
"Of course I've suspected this
spigotty all along. 1 don't have 70
remind you OF that"
Sure" Rawlins said. And didn't
1 put it up to him strong enough to-
night?"
Paroles laughed lightly.
All credit where it is due. You
also put it up 10 Miss Perrine."
The details will straighten all
that out" Robinson said. II don't
pretend TO have them yet"
Il gather not" Paroles unused.
with old Blackburn's ghost still in
the offing."
That talk" Rawlins said. won't
20 down from you any more. I dare
say you've got most of the details
in your head"
Il dare say" Paroles answered
dryly.
He fought farther back against
the OBTAINING hands.
us there any necessity for this ex-
hibition OF brute strength? You must
ind IL very exhausting. You may
think me dangerous. and I thank
you. but I have no gun. and In,
no match for four men and a wom-
an Besides. you hurt my arm. Bob
by was none too tender with that.