The diamond drill., 1920-06-26

"Criminali" shrieked Amy. "But II
isn't true It isn't II isn'tI You didn't
take the bondsl"
"You admit Il. then. You admit I'm
not your brother"
NO. mol you arel you must bel
Doctor says"
Hush, hush, my DEAR" interposed
Mrs. Kirkland. "You are over
wrought Let the doctor explain all
about t."
She drew the reluctant girl from
Clinton, who promptly edged around
opposite Ellen and placed himself be-
tween Doctor Kirkland and the police
official. BENIN. who had kept rather
In the background. now came forward
with a show OF friendly interest.
"As friend OF the--that Is, OF Mr..
Lowrie,' he remarked, may be per-
mitted TO suggest that this idea OF his
| about conspiracy rather supports
Doctor Kirlland's theory Of lrresponv
sibility."
Clinton set his jaw and stood silent,
evidently resolved to say no more.
Doctor Kirkland smiled approval.
THAT is better, my boy. Keep cool.
0ver-excitement is good for no one.
May see the warranti"
The official produced the warrant.
The physician glanced through II with
an experienced eye. "H'm-embezzle-
ment OF the bonds-Wnl Lowrle. alias
Richard Clinton"
| Pardon me-" remarked BENIN some
what diffidently. II wish TO say hap
pen TO know that the--er-party rep
resenting the bank In this matter In
inclined to accept my theory that our
friend disposed of-that Is TO say, mis-
placed the bonds while mentally ire
sponsible."
Then why have they acted so out
rageously to himr demanded Amy.
Had he not attempted to leave
town. y know"
THAT Is the worst OF II I" exclaimed
Mrs. Kirkland. "The publicity The
scnndall'
MADAM" reassured the official,
"there has been no publicity so far;
and there need be none IL MIR. Lowrie
can account for the bonds. We here
are the only ones who know OF his ar
rest, except the plain-clothes man who
caught him at the depot. He won't
leak"
zone moment, officer, II you please"
interrupted Doctor Kirkland. He fixed
his keen gaze on Clinton. IF released
| c-c,,, ,,ytndv .yo,,Id WON Iaaya fown 90
Clinton looked at Amy, and sudden
" his anger vanished. He even smiled
as ne answered: "Those who dance
must pay the piper. could have tele-
graphed for my proofs; l could have
told you all about my life. But | was
too stubborn 20 do either. BENIN and
this official refuse TO believe my full
statement about myself and my busi-
ness. Therefore ! now refuse TO tele-
graph or say anything more, except
that | no longer have any wish to 20
away. wish 10 stay, even though II
be IN jail. until YOU have disproved
this ridiculous charge and ] am free
to-"
lie looked NJ Amy. smiled and
strolled over 10 raze at photograph
in the far corner OF the room. Amy
gllded after him TO stand by his side
and fondle his hand In silent SYM
pathy. Ellen looked longingly at the
couple, but fingered TO hear what her
father was saying 10 the official.
"Thls charge Of conspiracy clearly
indicates his deIusional predispositicn.
You have my word. sir, that he was
and Is mentally irresponsible for his
actions, in the full legal senses OF the
term"
The official looked his concern. "Sor-
~, doctor, but In the cnse OF a war
| rant-"
every true" agreed the physician.
"He must be kept In custody, unless
admitted 10 bail. That does not pre-
vent you from deputlzing me and plac-
ing him in my custody. What he re-
auires Is sanitarium treatment. Con-
finement IN jail would probably shat
! ter his mind beyond oil hope OF recov-
cry. The sanitarium, on the con-
trary, may restore him 10 his old self
and enable him 20 remember how he
lost the bonds"
BENIN smiled suavely at the police
official. "Ah. Tn that case venture
10 request you 10 accede TO Doctor
Kirkland's suggestion. feel sure you
may safely intrust Mr.. Lowrie In his
custody. Consider me ms the doctors
second in the matter-er-what Is the
! termf--hs guarantor. II ! am consid-
cred 10 have any standing"
Him." muttered the official. It's a
CONTINUED Next Week.