The Little River news., 1920-04-07

from head. to foot, returning to rest fiXediy on my face, as though he was trying to read my thoughts l won dered what was passing in his mind. Was he nwardly chortling at the plight in which he found ne? Was he distressed to see a blood-relative behind the bars? Did he believe that I was guilty of the murder of Daisy Lutan? How had he learned of my arrest? What was his purpose in coming to see me? But his expression was unfathomable, so far as I was4 concerned. W
 He was the first to speak
 "So-you didn't do it, did you?'
 'Of course not" I retorted indig q murderer?"
 He shook his head disparagingly, smiling an inscrutable smile.
 ''The evidence against you certainly looks convincing"
 q don't care," exclaimed with heat. "I'm as innocent of the killing of Daisy Lutan as''-I hesitated-"as you are"
 He nodded his head approvingly.
 'There, there, boy, don't get excited. Of course l know you are innocent. You're of the Gaston blood, and there never was Gaston that was mur- derer or a lawbreaker. I never sus- pected you for single second. I was off in the Maine woods twenty miles from a railroad. didn't see a news paper until day before yesterday eve hing. My eye just happened to catch paragraph about the Granddeck. It was about your trial for the murder of Miss Lutan heinz set for next week. That was the first I had heard about it. travelled all night to get to you"
 My feelings toward him underwent il sudden revulsion. There was every evidence of sincerity in his manner. The knowledge that he believed in me was the most welcome news I had heard since my incarceration.
 wen soon have you out of here." he went on, ''now that an iete to help you. I got you into this, and I'll get you out of it if 1t takes every cent possess. There's more than one fight left in old Rufus yet. Now start at the very beginning and tell me everything that has happened since 1 have been away"
 What relief 1t wss to talk freely With my mind once and for all clear ed of all suspicion toward my old great-uncle, began my story. Some how the tie of blood is stron: in time of trouble. I found it vastly easier to talk with my aged relative than it had been with either German or my lawyer.
 began with my chance meeting with Barbara Bradford in the park as the blackmailers awaited her there. told everything that had followed with the utmost detail, even to such small matters as my first meeting with Wick and the undue curiosity he had exhibited as to my acquaint- ance with the BradfordS. I recited the story of my unaccoutable dis charge in disgrace from my position and told of Germans unavailing ef- forts to learn the reason.
 "rhe day I was discharged" I went on. "I had drawn out from the savings bank all my money with the purpose of sending it to my mother to whom I was in debt. I still had it with me when I arrived home at the apartment and I decided to put it in the wall safe. to which, you recall. you had given me the combination. Out of mere curiosity"-i made this confess sion with blush of shame-'I had in- spected the contents of the safe the day of my arrival and had examined the two caskets. The minute l opened the safe this second time saw that it had been footed"
 "What," exclaimed my great-uncle, pearls! !"
 nodded.
 'Everythihg. The casket with the pearls was gone. The other with the trinkets was undisturhed."
 Good heavens 7" he exclaimed. "AIy Wllt . pcdTlS Sltieu! why. UOS, paul a hundred and fifty thousand dollars for that string. Tell me everything about ir--everything, at once."
 could only repeat what had told him already. When I had opened the safe on Sunday the pearls were there. When had opened it again on the fol loving Saturday thc pearls were gone.
 ''Cf course you told the police at once"
 explained to him why I had not done SO, and my reason seemed to satisfy him.
 'GO on with your story" he calmly directed. He seemed to have himself well in hand again. After the first shock at hearing of the loss of the pearls he showed no sign of emotion or displeasure.
 He listened irtently as told him of my second meeting with Barbara Bradford when had learned that the