The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-02-01
Chapter 80.
MORE HAPPENINGS.

mOHG FHFFENIN0S.
followed Francis into the building
without saying word. 1t was one of
the downtown police headquarters, the
first I had ever been in We went
through long corridors. with vaulted
ceilings of reddish brick that made
our footsteps echo oddly. We went up
an elevator and through more corri-
doris, and saw no one but occasional
men in the regulation police blue.
And finally we entered an enormous
room. brightly lighted at one end
where there were desks on a platform.
A number of policemen were standing
about, and nice looking young man
with a stenographer's note book and
an array of pointed pencils. Below
the desks were rows of empty benches,
which ran back into the shadows of
the unlighted part of the rooom. The
whole effect was curious and unreal,
especially when l realized that this
was Christmas night.
sit here" Francis said, indicating
one of the front benches
l sat down and stared about me.
Where was Bud? And who were all
these other men out of uniform
iVlC "ClC pSildpS OF vi Ill Tie
room.
Francis had walked over to one of
the men, tall, rather handsome man
in fur coat. He had a huge nose
and a chin that stood far out, and the
coolest gray eyes l had ever seen in
anyone's face. The two came towards
me.
Mr.. Mills, my lawyer" Francis
said. George, my fiancee, Miss
Haines." l held out my hand A little
wave of warmth and pleasure went
through me. / was Francis fiance!
He did love mel turned to smile at
him little, and the sense of depres-
sion which had come over me when
i entered the place, began to wear off.
But Francis had again forgotten me.
He did not even see my smile. After
the conventionally polite greeting, Mr..
Mills turned away and the two men
began going over some notes together,
gradually walking away from ME. So
l sat, quite alone, in front of the vast
array of empty, desolate benches, and
watched the little drama work itself
out
1t was quite as though play were
being staged for me alone, since every
some part of it. Even the ununiformed
men that l thought did nothing but
guard doors, were kept busy running
errands
door behind the platform opened,
and an elderly man entered. Every
one stood at attention, SO to speak,
and turned to him as he took his
seat at the desk, so / Judged the cur
tain was up and the first act had
begun.
l examined him closely. He. too,
wore the police uniform, but a very
we'll tailored one, with much more
impressive gold braid on it. He had
a great pompadour of gray white hair,
and a clear, curt voice that was U.s.
ually pleasant.
THE circumstances are unusual,
gentlemen" he began. But in view
of some new evidence, l felt justified
in calling the hearing this evening"
He went through what seemed to be
some routine court business, then
someone got up and summarized the
case. All this | was familiar with, but
| listened eagerly and tried to under
stand every word.
Presently another door opened, and
with a policeman on each side of
him-Bud came in!
| shall never forget the shock |
felt at the sigh. of the lad under such
conditions - practically prisoner,
really a criminal in the eyes of the
law until Francis and the man with
the hard gray eyes could prove him
innocent.
Drawn by my gaze, Bud turned and
saw me- | tried to smile in a re-
assuring manner at him, but of the
two, | think l was more frightened.
Bud turned to look eagerly at Francis,
but Francis back was turned and he
did not see Bud until the boy was
sent to the witness chair.
But first police officer was put
on the stand.
Il saw a commotion and a lot of
people" he said, after answering a
few preliminary questions. so |
went up, and there in the middle of
the crowd, looking sort of daZed, was
this lad" he swung around and re-
garded Bud with a friendly eye.
Was he hurt?" a lawyer asked.
His eyes was shut, and he had a
mark on his forehead, but he opened
his eyes about as soon as | got there,
and then he clapped his hand to his
side, and says something about a wal
let and money"
Did you notice any cabs or autos
hurrying away from the placer the
lawyer asked.
LAS soon as l saw it was robbery