The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-03-08

She knew now. beyond any quest'cA
or doubt, that he had been present
when "Slim" Jim Collins had been
killed. He had seen 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?"
1--WE went out toto see the town."
"But why to that placer Are you
In the habit of going there?"
He shuddered. "Never was there
before. l had card. Some one gave
1t to me. SO we went In for a few
minutes-to see what 1t was like. The
police ralded the place." He dropped
his sentences reluctantly, as though
they were being forced from him In
pain.
"Well7"
Everybody tried to escape. Tbs
lights went out. found back doof
and got away. Then l CAME home
"What about Clayf"
Bromfield told the truth. II didn't
see him after the lights went out. ex.
cept for moment. He was running
at the man with the gum"
"You saw the gum"
He nodded, moistened his dry lip
with the tip of h1s tongue.
And the-ttre shooting2 Did you
see that7'
Twice the words he tried to say
faded on his lips. At last he managed
a mo"
"why not7"
"I.-found a door and escaped"
"You must have heard shooting"
~ heard shots as l ran down the
stairs. This morning / read that
that MIN was" He swallowed
down lump and left the sentence UNI
finished.
"Then you know that Clay Is nc
eused of killing this man, ind that the
police ere looking for you because
you were with him."
YES" His answer was dry whis-
per.
did you see this man Collins In the
room"
mo. shouldn't know him II 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-
Tense at the worst. They were shoot
ing mt Clay when he struck with the
chair--if he did. Clarendon's testi-
mony will show that"
MY testimony" screamed Brom-
field. "My Cd. do you think I'm
going to-to-go into court? They
would claim IL was"
She waited. but he did not finish.
"Clay's life may depend upon 1t, and
of course you'll tell the TRUTH" she
said quietly.
Maybe didn't hear shots" he
hedged. Maybe 1t was furniture
falling. There was lot OF noise Of
people stamping and hghting.
Observation-Disclosures"
The eyes of the girl were deadly
weapons. They glttereG like unscab-
barded steel. In them was con-
tanned fire that awed him.
He threw out his hand In weak,
impotent gesture of despair. "My
Cd, how did ever come to get into
such a mlx-up? 1t will ruin me-"
"How did you come to GOT" she
asked.
He wanted to see New York. I
suppose | had some notion Of taking
him summing"
Beatrice went up to him and looked
straight into his eyes. "rhen testify
to that In court. 1t 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 little. "Clay's life IL at
stake. Remember that"
"Do you think 1t would be safe to
go to the police?' he asked doubtfully.
Whtford spoke up. That's thu
only square and safe thing to do.
Bromfield. They'll find out who you
are. of course. II you 60 straight to
them you draw the sting from their
charge that you were an accomplish
of Clay. Don't lose your nerve. You'll
go through with flying colors. When q
man has done nothing wrong he
needn't be afraid"
II dare say you're right" agreed
Bromfied mlsernbly.
tTO BE CONTINUED)