The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-06
By Arthur SOmers Roche
Che Most Popular Author Of Love
And Mystery Tales
To-Day.
XXI.

XXI.
k<T WANT you to know, Miss
Deane, that it doesn't
matter a bit to me.
Whatever you may have done,
I am sure that you can eplain."
At any other time Clancy would
have famed fire at his tone.
Into his speech had entered a
certain stiltedness, a priggishness,
almost, that would have reused
all the rage of which she was
capable. And as she would be
able to love greatly, so would she
be able-temporarily-to hate. But
now she was intent on self; she
had no thought to spare for Ran
Z dall-save in so far as he might
aid her.
'Explain?' Her voice almost
broke. ''It's-it's pretty hard to
explain murder, isn't it?"
Randalrs lower jaw hung down.
Murder You-you're joking.
Miss Deaner Yet, somehow,
Clancy knew that he knew that
she was not joking.
I'm not joking. He-he thinks
that I killed Morris Beiner."
Murder! Morris B4iner" he
gasped
you've read about it. I'm the
woman! The one that ran down
the fire-escape, that the police
want.''
Slowly Randall digested it.
Once again he gasped the word:
Murder"
Goodness mep' Clancy became
New England in her expression.
What else did you think it was?"
"Why-I supposed - something
II didn't know-murder! That's
absurd
You seem relieved" she said.
He puzzled her.
WELL of coure." he said.
at don't see why"
''well, you couldn't have COM
mitted murder" ne replied, with
an air of having uttered explana-
ton Of his relief.
"I wish the police could think
sor' she cried.
Think so?' I'll make them
think so. Eli tell that chap out
there"
"But it won't do any good%
cried Clancy. Her cry was al
most a wall. Once before she
had practically confessed, then
withdrawn her confession. Now
she could not withdraw. Words
rushed from her as from a
broken Waterman. But, be-
cause she was Clancy Deane,
they were not words Of exculpa-
ton, or of apology. They were
the facts. Silently Randall heard
them through. Then he spoke,
slowly.
"Any jury in the world would
believe you," he said.
"But 1 don't want to tell it
to any jury!' screamed Clancy.
-"
Confession is always dramatic,
and the dramatic is emotional.
The tears welled in her eyes.
Through the blur of tears, Ran
dali seemed bigger, sturdier than
ever. She reached out her arms
toward him.
you asked me to marry you"
che cried. "I-I-would you want
to marry me now?"
Randall smiled.
You know 1.-THE said. "Just
as soon as this affair is fixed
up, we'll be married, and"
He rose and took her hands in
his. Quite unaccountably, Clancy
released her hands.
Fix it up? 1t cant be fixed
up she said.
well, we can try" said Ran
dali. 'I'll call in this man out
side" He hesitated. Judge
Walbrough has been mighty nice
TO you, hasn't he? Suppose I
get him on the telephone?"
He didn't wait for Clancy to
reply. He walked briskly from
the room and she heard him
at the telephone. She didn't
listen to what he said. She
walked to the window. Spofford
was still outside. What right
had he to act upon his owr
responsibility? Why hadn't the
word of Philip Vandervent been
enough for him?
She turned as Randall entered
the room.
"The telephone is out of order"
he said. "I think I'd better run
up to the Walbroughs' house
and get him."
"And leave me here" cried
Clancy.
Randall shrugged.
I'm afraid that man wouldn't
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