The Holbrook news., 1922-08-25

She knew now. beyond any question or doubt, that he had been present when "Slim" Jim Collins had been killed. He had seen a mans life snuffed out, was still trembling for fear he might be called In as a party to the crime.
 You'd better tell me before it's too late. How did you and Clay Lindsay come to go to that den?'
 we went out toto see the town
 But why to that place? Are you in the habit of going there?"
 He shuddered Never was there before. 1 had card. Some one gave it to me. So we went in for a few minutes-to see what 1t was like. The police raided the place." He dropped his sentences reluctantly, as though they were being forced from him in pain.
 "Well?"
 Everybody tried to escape. The lights went out. I found a back door and got away. Then I came home."
 What about Clay?"
 Bromfield told the truth. q didn't see him after the lights went out, ex- cept for a moment. He was running at the man with the gun."
 You saw the gun?'
 He nodded, moistened his dry lips with the tip of his tongue.
 And the-the shooting? Did you see that?"
 Twice the words he tried to say faded on his lips. At last he managed a "No."
 "Why not?"
 "I-found a door and escaped"
 You must have heard shooting"
 q heard shots as I ran down the stairs. This morning I read that that man was-" He swallowed down a lump and left the sentence un- finished
 "Then you know that Clay is ac- cused of killing this man, and that the police are looking for you because you were with him." "Yes" His answer was dry whis- per.
 Did you see this man Collins in the room?"
 'No. I shouldn't know him if l saw him.
 But you heard shots. You're sure of that!" cried Beatrice.
 "Y-yes."
 The girl turned triumphantly to her father "He saw the gun and he heard shots. That proves self-de- fense at the worst. They were shoot ing at Clay when he struck with the chair-if he did. Clarendon's testi- mony will show that"
 My testimony" screamed Brom- field. "My G+d, do you think Pm going to-to-go into court? They would claim Fl was"
 She waited, but he did not finish. "Clay's life may depend upon it, and of course you'll tell the truth" she said quietly.
 Maybe I didn't hear shots" he hedged. Maybe it was furniture falling. There was lot of noise of people stamping and fighting"
 u-heard-shOts.'
 The eyes of the girl were deadly weapons. They g1ittered like unscab- barded steel. In them was con- tained fire that awed him.
 He threw out his hand in weak, impOtent gesture of despair. My Cd, how did I ever come to get into such a mix-up? It will ruin me-"
 How did you come to go?" she asked.
 He wanted to see New York. suppose I had some notion of taking him summing"
 Beatrice went up to him and looked straight into his eyes. "Then testify to that in court. It won't hurt you any. Go down to the police and say you have read in the paper that they want you. Tell the whole truth. And Clary-don't weaken. Stick to your story about the shots." Her voice shook a little. "Clay's life is at stake. Remember that"
 Do you think it would be safe to go to the police?" he asked doubtfully.
 WutIOru SpOhe up. 1Hdt tHe only square and safe thing to do, Bromfeld. They'll find out who you are, of course. If you go straight to them you draw the sting from their charge that you were an accomplice of Clay. Don't lose your nerve. You'll go through with flying colors. When man has done nothing wrong he needn't be afraid"
 q dare say you're right" agreed Bromfield miserably
 (TO BE CONTINUED)