The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1933-09-29
Chapter l.
"You SHOT VAN BERG"

"YOU SHOT VAN BERG"
NTESTA laughed.
well, that's where | came in.
You tried pretty hard to make me
believe you were crazy about me.
but you needn't imagine was such
a fool as to believe you. You were
crazy about the emeralds, and you
needn't have troubled to make love
to me, because I'd taken the length
Of your foot in the first five min
utes."
But you married me-"
IBID you think was going to
trust you? | married you because
meant to let my share"
"And why did | marry your" said
Jim Riddell pleasantly.
Nesta colored high.
For what you could get out OF
me-" she said. you wanted my help,
and you thought it was safer"
Its very interesting" said Jim.
Wont you go on?' es ss
Interestingly" She struck her Gig.
arctic against the arm of the chair
and sent the ash flying.
VERY. Do you mind telling me
how you helped?" H.,..
Il was staying with old Caroline
Russell. I've known her all my life
she's some sort Of twenty-eighth
cousin. She's been housekeeper at
the Hall since the year one, and she
does what she likes with Mr.. Emf
whistle. When you spoke to me that
day in the drive"
"Yes?"
II was going to go next day, be-
cause the Van Bergs were coming.
l will say you had nerve"
what did do?"
She stared al him resentfully.
"Why you got me to work it so
that stayed on. 1t was quite easy
for old Caroline. She said | was
her cousin and the Van Bergs didn't
care. And then"
"And them" 5x eg
She reached out for another Gig
arctic, struck match, and looked at
him over the little yellow flame.
Are you trying to make me be-
lieve Pm telling you something you
don't known"
Il can't make you believe any
thing" said Jim. ~ 44 p
She threw the match into the
crate just short of the spangled
shavings. IL.
ooh, have 1t your own way! Do
you want me TO tell you how you
pinched the emeralds?"
He had himself we'll in hand. He
said coolly:
II stole them?"
Nesta laughed.
"You make me tired, Jimmy RID
dell! You stole them?" She tried to
mimic his voice. do you think you
can act the innocent with me like
that after the way I've heard you
talk in your sleep? Why, you've new
er stopped talking. and II hadn't
got you out of that hospital in dou-
BILE quick time, we should all have
been inside" She laughed again at
his blank look and flung out: jug
quod-stir! Haven't ever done time,
7-suppose? Well you will over this
II you don't cure yourself of talking
ut night"
Bis
LIE LEANED forward with his ell
bow on his knee and his chin in
his hand. Qs
"You say took these emeralds"
II say you did-and I'll say it was
pretty nippy bit of work. Pity you
shot him, though"
He jerked away from the word.
"What are you saying%
"You shouldn't have carried a
gum" said Nesta maliciously. Il said
so all along"
He got up. His spine had gone
cold. He felt the sweat break out
upon his temples. we ess
whats that you're SAYING"
Nesta got up, too. 80
I'm saying that you shot Mr.. Van
Berg" $3.50 t
He went over to the mantelpiece,
leaning on It with his two hands.
his head bent between them. his
eyes staring blankly at the spangled
shavings In the CRATE MS liaa
What nightmare was this? He had
broken into a house, stolen proper