Evening star., 1923-12-02


commit an unusual crime. and the
next day commit II under his very
nose?"
The district attorney shook his
head.
Come, come. Bain," he said, "you
know as wen as do that that would
not be the act Of a fool. but Of a
particularly clever man. 1t Is dar-
ing idea; 1t Will be hard to make the
ordinary lunk- -headed Jury compre-
hend just how clever you've been"
We'll" said Balm, Keeping his COM
posure. you've got the same amount
of evidence against Strane. He
heard my plan. too"
"StranG can be eliminated" re-
Joined the district attorney. "Strang
has 4 perfect alibf. Half a dozen
reliable witnesses can swear that he
was In the office Of the Evening Trib-
une all afternoon. His second edition
goes to press at $3.50. Besides. Strang
has made a barrel of money out of
the Tribune; he has no financial mo-
tive for robbing any one"
Baln made no reply.
X X
"MoREovER. Bain," went on
A'1 Yeager. "a hasty investigation
after the crime was discovered
brought to light the fact that you
have been playing the market. and
your finances are In bad shape. There
We have the motive
Bains eyes dropped.
"rl admit" he said. slowly, that
have extended myself bit more
than was prudent. lately. but I deny
that my financial condition is serious
Have you any more evidence,
Yeager?"
"Yes,' said the district attorney.
II know that this afternoon between
three and four you were not in your
ONCE In the bank. You left at half
past two and did not return. Where
were you about half past three. when
Alec Rae was robbed ard Killed."
'T was near the covered bridge
over the Rushing river" Balm said.
Now you are being sensible"
cried Yeager. heartily. Believe me,
perfect frankness will pay"
THE straight story" said Balm, in
that same even tone. els that when
reached the covered bridge the
crime had already been discovered
by a passing workman"
The district attorneys face was
stern again.
do you think a jury will believe
that?' he asked
IT'S the truth. nevertheless" re-
torted Balm. calmly.
The district attorney bent forward.
"And how do you account for the
fact that you left your apartment
last night at eleven and did not re-
turn till after two this morning."
Yeager demanded.
He saw that the question had
caught the banker by surprise
"It happens continued Yeager.
that the janitor can swear to the
exact time you went out and the ex-
act time you returned. A taxi was
stolen last night in Bridge City.
That same taxi carried Alec Rae to
hts death on the covered bridge to-
day. Where were you at midnight.
Bain?'
Il was in Bridge City" said Balm.
The district attorney waved his
hand with a gesture of finality. sig
nifying why go further?"
Neither man spoke for a time.
Then Balm said in an easy voice:
Since this Is such a delightfully."-
trial. suppose the prisoner
may be permitted to put a few ques-
tions to the district attorney"
Il don't see what good 1t will do"
answered Yeager abruptly. II have
gone further than 1 should. as 1t is.
1 have put my case before you. BY
your own admissions that case is q
strong one against you. This busi-
ness has been painful enough, why
prolong it?'
Come. come. Yeager." protested
Balm. with a half smile. Just one
question. then? Purely informal, you
"Wel1, what is it%'
"Yeager, what were you doing on
the covered bridge over the Rushing
river at o'clock this morning?"
The district attorney, who had
partly risen, dropped back into his
seat Balm shot at him q second
question:
"And what were you doing in
Bridge City last night at midnightr'
Yeager faced him dehantly.
ME? On the covered bridge7 In
Bridge City? Last night? You're
crazy" he bristled.
Don't try to bluff. Yeager," re-
turned Balm. II saw you there"
4 X
THE quiet conviction in the bank
ers tone told Yeager that il was
useless to bluster. So the district
attorney simply said, did your and
waited.
Eyes" said Balm. II saw you in
both places. And now, since I've
listened patiently to your case
against me. you're going to listen to
my case against YOU"
"You're case against me? What
do you mean?" demanded Yeager.
Listen" said Bain. "you, Yeager,
were present last night when 1 out
lined the plan OF the crime that was
today. You've eliminated
That leaves you and me. I
eliminate myself becatise know that
I did not do IL. That leaves you,
Yeasef" MI.
'1ndeed?" said the district attorney.
"Yes," said the banker. Chat
leaves you. Motive. financial pres
sure. My bank marked two Of your
checks NO funds today. You've been
living beyond your income. Your
salary as district attorney is 5000
d year. On that you keep q car, a