The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-09-09
CHATTER VI. nRnrS fn RurlxA

CHATTER VI. Offers to Burke. Carroll entered the office of Cap tain West on the first floor of Police
 headquarters. It was the morning after the Van Schuyler ball. to Whicn he had been detailed. ''Captain,' he said. "you remember the Burke case ?''
 "Yes," the captain replied. Hap pened about nine years ago. Woman mixed up in it-convicted with Burke. He went up the river for four years. She came out on probation,
 broke her parole, and got away. What about it?''
 'swe1l, she's bacak in town." an- nounced Carroll. .'Then why don't you lock her up?' E'Well. 1t happened nine years ago." 'What's the diference?'' demanded his superior. She's got to go back | if she's caught" "All right" retorted Carroll. 'Where'd you see herr" inquired the head of the detective force. ''At the Van Schuyler baH.' What ?''> ''At the ball. all right Servant. I suppose?'' "No; she was a guest,' announced Carroll. ''I saw her first in a depart ment store, and shadowed her home." | "What's she been doing all this time?'
 whats she been doing all this | tine?'
 "I don't know. But I know who | she is now" He met the inquiring | eye of his chief, and tried to appear even more indifferent than usual.
 ''She's Mrs. Harvey Lake now" President of the D.. H. & M. ?'' That's who" The captain whistled softly. Fine
 mess you're going to stir up,' he com mented. Are you sure of your 1den- tif1cation?''
 Pretty sure.'' Pretty sure" echoed the captain.
 "You want to be dead sure before you budge Carroll, I want to tell you the President of the D.. H. & M. is a pretty big man in this town. If you make a blunder. there's going to be trouble, and you're going to be right in the middle of it.' Well, what'1 I do?" The captain rose from his seat and l looked meditatiVely out of the win | dow.
 1T wonder whether Lake knows?"
 he unused aloud. Sure! He must | know. Lake is from Kansas CiIy, isn't
 he?" he inquired. |
 Well, I'll wire Kansas City for in 1 formation as to both of thenn." | "Meanwhile,'' suggested Carroll, ''I'n look up Burke
 That's a good idea. Bring him
 here when you find him." hs com
 manded.
 1 It didn't take the detective tong to i find Burke. It was his busfgess 70 | keep track of criminals, both habitua1 | and occasional. He met him as Burke was about to
 enter the dingy tenement house Tn | which he lived.
 ''The captain wants to See you.' he
 said.
 'tWhat for?" demanded Burke. "I haven't done anything" That's all right insisted cearror1.
 You drop around with me to the l captains ofice." The summons puzzled Burke; -bu. l he accompanied Carroll to headquar- | ters. He asked no questions on the way; just trotted along with the cow 1 ering steps of a whipped dog. 1t was 1 hard to look at him and not feel | tinge of pity for this human wreck.
 He was a shade over thirty, but the 1 deep lines of his face made him ap- | pear older The upper part of his l body inclined forward, as if he were l l eyes, set beneath a weIl-shaped fore head, danced uneasily in their sock
 cts, peering furtively from side to I side. He walked with a measured jerk, the movement being automatic
 and devoid of energy Iniessant brood ing had drawn his face to sullsnness 1.-the sullenness of the pursued anl- mal dodglng the hunter. even when
 no hunter is in sight
 Burke shuffled into the office Of
 the captain, his hat in his hand. The captains eyes glared cold1y at him.
 tSit down." he commanded. 'fWhat have you been doing Burke?"- he asked
 Trying to find work, mostly" ne replied. His voice. coming from some | where deep down in his chest, sound
 ed like growl. What become of Margaret Case " Burke gave a surprised start. His
 eyes rested searchingly on the cap tain.
 i 'Don't know he quivered. I You don't know she's Mrs. Harvey
 Lake. wife of the President of the I D.. H. & M. ?" There was a shade of
 incredulity in his voice.
 tBut you know she's come back ?'' 1 T don't know anything about