Thdl
W II X
CHARLES KLEIN V w
AND
ARTHUR HORNBLOW
ltLU5TRATIOiNS BY PAYMALTEH$
CHAPTER XVIII.
As Annie entered the room and
hiifctat sight of Mr. Jeffries, she in
stinctively drew back. Just at that
moment the banker wai, perhaps, the
cue 'man in the world whom ahe was
most anxious to avoid. Capt Clinton ;
no longer had any terror for her. Now
that the missing witness had been
found and the precious "suicide let
ter" was as good as In their possession
there was nothing more to fear. It
wait 'only a question of time when
Howard would be set free. But
tt was not la this girl's nature
to be concerned only with her
self. If tthe possessed a single wom
anly yirture, It was supreme unselfish
ness. There was some one beside her
self to take Into consideration a
loor, vacillating, weak, miserable
woman who wished to do what was
right and had agreed to do so, but
who) in the privacy of her own apart
merits, had gone down on her knees
and begged Annie to protect her from
the consequences of her own folly.
Her. husband must not know. Annie
had promised that if there was any
way possible the knowledge of that
clandestine midnight visit to Under
wood's rooms should be kept from
him. Yet there stood the banker!
She was afraid that if they began
questioning her In his presence she
might be betrayed into saying some
thing that would instantly arouse his
suspicions.
Judge Brewster went quickly for
ward as she came in and led her to a
ba)r. Capt. Clinton and Mr. Jeffries
4-yed her in stolid silence. Looking
around in a nervous kind of way, An
nie said quietly to the judge:
"May I speak to you alone, Judge?"
"Certainly," replied the lawyer.
He waa about to draw her aside
when Capt Clinton interfered.
"One moment!" he said gruffly; ,'lf
ibis is all ODen and above board, as
you say It is, Judge I'd like to ask
the young lady a few questions.
"Certainly, by all means," said the
Judge quickly.
The captain turned and confronted
Annie. Addressing her in his cus
tomary aggressive manner, he said:
"You promised Judge Brewster that
you'd produce the woman who called
at Underwood's apartment the night
of the shooting?" Annie made no
reply, but looked at the lawyer. The
captain grinned as he added: "The
witness wants Instructions, Judge."
"T6u can be perfectly frank, Mrs.
Jeffries," said the lawyer reassuringly.
"We have no desire to conceal any
thing' from Capt Clinton."
Annie bowed.
"Yes," she said slowly; "I promised
Judge Brewster that Rhe would come
here to-night."
"Did she promise to come?" growled
the captain.
"Yes." '
"Well, where is she?" he demanded.
"She hasn't come yet," she replied,
"but she will, I'm sure I know she
wjll."
"How did you come to find her?"
demanded the captain suspiciously.
Annie hesitated a moment and
glanced at Mr. Jeffries. Then she
nld hesitatingly:
"That I I cannot say now."
Capt. Clinton's massive bulldog Jaw
closed with an ominous click.
"Decline to answer, eh? What's her
name?"
She remained silent.
"What's her name?" he repeated
Impatiently.
"I cannot tell you," she said firmly.
"Do you know it?" he bellowed.
"Yes," she answered quietly.
"Know it. but can't say, eh? Hum!"
He folded his arms' and glared at
her. Mr. Jeffries now interfered. Ad'
dressing Annie angrily, he said:
"But you must speak! Do you real
ise that my son's life is at stake?"
"Yes, I do," she replied quickly.
"I'm glad to see that you are begin
ning to realize It, too. But I can't
tell you yet"
The Judge turned to the police cap
tain. ',--: ' '' . ' ' "
"I may tell you, captain, that even
I myself have not succeeded In learn
ing the name of this mysterious per
honage." Addressing Annie,, he said:
"I think you had better tell us. I see
no advantage in concealing it any fur
ther." Annie shook her head.
"Not yet," she murmured; "she will
tell you herself when she comes."
"Hh! I thoughl as much!" exclaimed
the banker Increduously.
The captain rose and drew himself
up to his full height, a favorite trick
of his, when about to assert his au
thority. "Well, when she does come!" he
exclaimed, "I think you may as well
understand she will be taken to head
quarters and held as a witness."
"You'll arrest her!" cried the law
yer. .
"That's what I said, Judge. She's a
material witness the most Important
one the State has. I don't intend that
he shall got away"
"Arrest her! Oh, Judje, don't let
him do that!" exclaimed Annie In dis-
crew red In the
i arc. mammuy ire ra.u.
"She is coming to my house of her
wn free will. She has trusted to my
honor "
"Yes yes!" cried Annie. "She
trusts to your honor, Judge."
Cant. Clinton ai.nned. .
"Honor cuti mighty Tittle Ice tn
this matter. There's no use talking.
( shall place her under arrest."
"I will not permit such a disgrace
ful proceeding!" cried the lawyer.
"With all due respect, Judge," re
torted the policeman Impudently, "you
won't be consulted. You have' de
clared yourself counsel for the man
who has boen Indicted for murder I
didn't ask you to take me into your
confidence you Invited me here,
treated me to a lecture on psychology,
Tor which I thank you very much, but
I don't feel that I need any further
Instruction. If this woman ever does
get here, the moment she leaves the
house Maloney has instructions to
arrest her, but I guess we needn't
worry. She has probably forgotten
her appointment Some people are
very careless In that respect." Moving
toward the door, he added: "Well, If
it's all the same to you, I'll wait down
stairs. Good-night."
He went out, his hat Impudently
tilted back on his head, a sneer on his
lips. The banker turned to the Judge.
"I told you how it would be," he
said scornfully. "A flash in the pan!"
The lawyer looked askance at An
nie. I
"You are sura she will come?" he
asked.
"Yea, I am sure!" With concern she
added: "But the disgrace of arrest!
It will kill her! Oh, Judge, don't let
them arrest her!"
"Tell me who she is!" commanded
the lawyer sternly.
It was thio first time he had spoken
to her harshly and Annie, to her dls-1
may, thought she detected a note of
. . . j '
doubt In his voice, booning iows.ru
the banker, she renlled:
"1 can t tell you Just now she ll be
here soon "
"Tell me now I insist," said the
lawyer with growing Impatience.
"Please please don't ask me!" she
pleaded.
Mr. Jeffries made an angry gesture.
"As I told you, Bre'wster, her whole
story is a fabrication trumped up for i
n j w.... ,Ko ni,
purpose God knows what on-
be has in deceiving us! , 0,y
that I warned you what you al-
some
Ject she
know
ways may expect from people of her
class."
The Judge said nothing for. a mo
ment. Then quietly he whispered to
the banker:
J'Go Into my study for a few mo
ments, will you, Jeffries?"
The banker made a gesture, as If
utterly disgusted with the whole busi
ness. - . . .
"I am going home," he said testily.
"I've had a most painful evening
most painful. Let me know the re
sult of your Investigation as soon as
possible. Good night. Don't disturb
me to-night, Brewster. To-morrow will
do."
He left the room in high dudgeon,
banging the door behind him. Annie
burst Into a laugh.
"Don't disturb him!" she mimicked.
"He's going to get all that'B coming
to him."
Shocked at her levity, the lawyer
turned on her severely.
"Do you want me to lose all faith
In you?" he asked sternly.
"No, indeed," she answered con
tritely. "Then tell me," he demanded, "why
do you conceal this woman's name
from me?"
"Because I don't want to be the one
to expose her. She shall tell you her
self." 'That's all very well," he replied,
"but meantime you are directing sua-
The Captain Rose and Drew Himself
Up to His Full Height
plclon against yourself. Your father
In law believes you are the woman;
so does Capt. Clinton."
"The captain suspects everybody,"
she laughed. "It's his business to
suspect Aa long as you don't believe
that I visited Underwood that night"
The Judge shook his head as If pui
zted.
"Candidly. I don't know what to
think." Seriously, he added: "I want
me very dcsi or you, Tinnie,
but you won't let me."
She hesitated a moment and then,
;uiokly, she said:
"I supiHise I'd better tell you and
have done with It but I don't like
o-"
At that moment a servant entered
nnd handed the lawyer a card.
"The lady wants to see you at once,
!r."
'To see nie," asked the lawyer In
'urprlse: "are you sure she hasn't
"Otue, for Mr. Jeffries?"
"No, fir; she asked for you."
Annie sprang forward.
"Is It Mrs. Jeffries?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Let me see her, Judge," she ex
claimed eagerly; "I'll tell her who it Is
and she can tell you she's a woman
and I'd rather. Let me speak to her,
please!"
Addressing the servant, the lawyer
aid:
"Ask Mrs. Jeffries to come wpr
rurnlng to his client, he went on:
"I see no objection to your speaking
:o Mrs, Jeffries. After all, she is your
Husband's stepmother. But I am tree
.0 confess that I don't understand you.
! am more than disappointed In your
'allure to keep your word. You prora-
aed definitely that you would bring
'.he witness here to-night- On the
strength of that promise I made state
ments to Capt. Clinton which I have
not been able to substantiate. The
whole story looks like an Invention on
your part" v
She held out her hands entreat
Ingly. "It's not an Invention! Really,
judge! Just a little while longer!
You've been so kind, bo patient!"
There was a trace of anger In the
lawyer's voice as he went on:
"I believed you Implicitly. You were
so positive this woman would come
forward."
"She will she will. Give me only
a few minutes more!" she cried.
The lawyer looked at her as if pus
tied. "A few minutes?" he said. Again
he looked at her and then shook his
lead resignedly.
"Well, It's certainly
Infectious!" he exclaimed. "I believe
you again."
The door opened and Alicia appeared.
The lawyer advanced politely to greet
her.
"Good evening, Mrs. Jeffries."
Alicia shook hands with him, at the
I . I - 111 . I 1 .. 1 .. A n
""e iooinB mquiiuiR. u-
who, by a quick gesture, told her
that the Judge knew nothing of her
oairnt TVia ItiurvoP ur nnr fin
secret The lawyer went on:
"Mrs. Jeffries, Jr., wishes to speak
to you. I said T thought there'd be
no oojection; you don't nilna. May
she?"
"Yes," murmured Alicia.
"Your husband was here," said the
Judge.
"My husband!" she cried, Btartled.
Again she glanced inquiringly at An
nie and tried to force a smile.
I Yes, said the lawyer; 'hell be
. . ' . , . ,. . .,
U ad to knw you re here 1 11 tell
I h Turn,n t0 ,Anle; he M-
"Yes," said the lawyer; "he'll be
'When
you're ready, please send
and"
"Very well, Judge."
The lawyer went out and
Alicia
i turned round breathlessly.
' "My husband was here?" she
ex-
claimed.
"Yes."
"You've told Mr. Rrewster nothing?"
Annie shook her head.
"I couldn't!" she said. "I tried to.
but I couldn't. It seems so hard, doesn't
it?" Alicia laughed bitterly and An
nie went on: "I was afraid you weren't
coming!"
"The train was late!" exclaimed Al
icia evasively, "I went up to Stam
ford to say good-by to my mother."
"To say good-by?" echoed her com
panion In surprise.
"Yes." said the other tearfully. "I
have said good-by to her I have said
good by to everybody to everything
to myself I must give them all, up
I must give myself up."
"Oh, It isn't as bad as that, surely?"
Alicia shook her head sadly.
"Yes," she said; "I've reckoned It
all up. It's a total loss. Nothing will
be saved husband, home, position,
good name all will go. You'll see. I
shull be torn Into Utile bits of shred.
They won't leave anything unsaid. But
It's not that I care for bo much. It's
the Injustice of It all. The Injustice
of the power of evil. This man Under
wood never did a good action In all
his life. And now even after he ts
dead he has the power to go on de
stroying destroying destroying!"
"That's true," said Annie; "he waa
no good."
The banker's wife drew from her
bosom the letter Underwood wrots
her before he killed himself. -
"When he sent me this letter," she
went on, "I tried to think myself Into
his condition of mind, so that I could
decide whether be intended to keep
his word and kill himself or not. t
tried to reason out Just how he felt
and bow he thought Now I know.
It's hopeless, dull, sodden despera
tion. I haven't even the ambition to
defend myself from Mr. Jeffries."
Annie ghrugged her shoulders.
"I wouldn't lose any Bleep on bis
account," she said with a laugh. Mors
seriously she added: "Surely he wont
believe"
"He may not believe anything him
self," said Alicia. "It's what other peo
ple are thinking that will make him
suffer. If the circumstances were only
a little less disgraceful a suicide'
last letter to the woman he loved
They'll say I drove him to It. They
won't think of bis miserable, dishon
est career. They'll only think of my
share In his death
Annie shook her head sympathetic
ally. "Yes," she said; "It's tough! Tfc
worst of It Is they are going to arrest
M
TOU.
AUcia turned ashen pale.
"Arrest me!" she cried.
'That's what Capt. Clinton but,"
replied the other gravely. "He w.ia
here he U here now with two men,
waiting for you." Apologetically she
went on: 'It wasn't my fault, Mr.
Jeffries I dUn't mean to. What
could I do? When 1 told Judge Brew,
ster. he sent for Capt. Clinton. The
police are afraid you'll run away or
something "
"And my husband!" gasped Alicia;
"he doesn't know, does he?"
"No, I didn't tell them. I said you'd
tell them yourself, but they won't
trust you when they know who you
are. Let's tell the Judge he may
think of a plan. Suppose you go away
nntil " Purtled herself to find a way
out of the dilemma, Annie paced th
floor nervously. "Oh, this Is awful!"
he exclaimed. "What are we to do?"
She looked toward Alicia, as if ex
pecting some suggestion from her, but
ler ' compant6n ' was '16$ "BlffMl- OYUH
whelmed to take any Initiative. '
"It does stun one, doesn't It?" went
n Annie. "You can't think whtm tt
somas all of a sudden like this. It's
lust the way I felt the morning they
showed me Howard's confession."
"Prison! Prison!" walled Alicia.
Annie tried to console her.
"Not for long," she said soothingly;
"you can get ball. It's only a matter
Df favor Judge Brewster would get
you out right away."
"Get me out!" cried Alicia distract
edly. "My God! I can't ro to prison!
I can't! That's too much. I ve done
nothing! Look read this!" Handing
tvvr Underwood's letter, she went on:
"You can see for yourself. The wretch
frightened me Into such a state of
mind that 1 hardly knew what I was
doing I went to his rooms to save
liiin. That's the truth, I swear to
God! But do you suppose anybody
will believe me ou oath? They'll
they'll"
Almost hysterical, she no longer
knew what she was saying or doing.
She collapsed utterly, and sinking
down In a chair, gave way to a pas
sionate fit of sobbing. Annie tried to
auiet hex:
"Hush!" she said gently, "don't go
on like that, ne brave. Perhaps it
won't be as bad as you think." She
unfolded the letter Allola had given
her and carefully read It through.
When she had finished her face lit up
with Joy Enthusiastically she cried:
"This is great for Howard! What
a blessing you didn't destroy It! What
a wretch, what a hound to write you
like that! Poor soul, of course, you
went and begged him. not to do It!
I'd have gone myself, but I think I'd
have broken an umbrella over his head
or something Gee! these kind of fel
lows breed trouble, don't they? Alive
or dead, they breed trouble! What
can we do?"
Alicia rose. Her tears hud disap
peared. There was a look of fixed re
solve In her eyes.
"Howard must be cleared," she ald.
"and I must face It alone!" 1
"You'll be alone all right," said An
nle thoughtfully. "Mr. Jeffries will do
as much for you as he did for his
on."
Noticing that her companion seemed
hurt by her frankness, she changed
the topic.
"Honest to God!" she exclaimed
good-naturedly, "I'm broken-hearted
I'll do anything to save you from this
this public disgrace. I know what tt
rowans I've bad mv dose of It. But
this thing has got to come out, hasn't
tt?"
The banknr'a wife wearily nodded
assent '
"Yes. I realize that." she said, "but
the disgrace of arreht I can't stand
It, Annie! I can't go to prison even
If It's only for a minute." Holding out
a trembling hand, she went on: "Give
me back the letter. I'll leave New
York to-night I'll go to Europe I'll
send It to Judge Brewster from Paris."
Looking anxiously Into her compan
ion's face, she pleaded: "You'll trust
me to do that, won't you? Give It to
me, please you can trust me."
Her hand was still extended, but
Annie Ignored It.
"No no," she said, shaking her
head, "I can't give It to you how can
I? Do you understand what the let
ter means to me?"
"Have pity!" cried the banker's
wife, almost beside herself. "You can
tell them when I'm out of the coun
try. Don't ask mo to make this sac
rifice now don't ask me don't!"
Annie was beginning to lose pa
tience. The woman's selfishness an
gered her. With irritation, she said:
"You've lost your nerve, and you
don't know what you're saying. How
ard's life comes before you me or
anybody. You know that!" ' ", ,
"Yes yes," cried Alicia desperate
ly, "I know that ' I'm only asking you
to wait. : I I ought to have left thla
morning that'a what I should have
done gone at once. Now It's too
late, unless you help me" .
"I'll help you all I can," replied the
other doggedly, "but I've promised
Judge Brewster to clear up thla mat
ter to-night"
Suddenly there was a commotion at
the door. Capt. Clinton entered, fol
lowed by Detective Sergeant Maloney.
Alicia shrank back In alarm.
I thought Judge Brewster was
here," said the captain,' glancing sus
piciotiHly round the room.
"I'll send for htm," said Annie,
touching a bell. : i
"Well, wbere's your mysterious wit
ness?" demanded the captain sarcas
tlrally.
He looked curiously at Alicia.
"This Is Mrs. Howard Jeffrie, Sr.,"
said Annie, "my husband's step
mother." ' '
The captain made a deferential sa
lute. Bully as be was, ho knew how
to be courteous when It suited his
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purpose. He nad heard enough of the
wealthy banker's aristocratic wife to
treat her with respect.
"Beg pardon, m'm; I wanted to tell
the Judge 1 was going."
The servant entered.
"Tell Judge Brewster ' that Capt
Clinton la going," said Annie.
Alicia, meantime, was once' mors
on tte verge of collapse. The long
threatened expose was now at hand.
In another moment the Judge and per
haps her husband would come In, and
Annie would hand them the letter
which exculpated her husband. There
was a moment of terrible suspense.
Annie stood aloof, her eyes fixed on
the floor. Suddenly, without uttering
a word, she drew Underwood's letter
from her boaom, and quickly approach
ing Alicia, placed It unnoticed In her
hand. The banker's wife flushed and
then turned pale. She understood.
Annie would spare her. Her lips
parted to protest. Even she was taken
back by such an exhibition of unself
Ishness as this. flbs began to stam
mer thanks.
"No, no," whispered Annie quickly,
"don't thank me; keep It."
Capt. Clinton turned round with a
Jeer. Insolently, he Bald to Annie:
"You might as well own up you've
played a trick on us all."
"No, Capt. Clinton," she replied
with quiet dignity; "I told you the
simple truth. Naturally you don't be
lieve It"
"The simple truth may do for Judge
Brewster," grinned the policeman,
"but It won't do for me. I never ex
pected this mysterious witness, who
was going to prove that Underwood
committed suicide, to make an ap
pearance, did I, Maloney. Why not?
Because, begging your pardon for
doubting your word, there's no such
person." - '-
' "Begging your pardon for disputing
your word, captain," she retorted,
mimicking him, "there is such a per
son." , ' ' '
, "Then where Is she?" he demands!
angrily. Annie made no answer, but
I i ' ,f :
looked for advice to Judge Brewster,
who at that Instant entered the room.
Tbe captain glared at her viciously,
and unable td longer contain his
wrath, be bellowed!
"I'll tell you where she Is! She's
rlght here In this room!" Pointing
his finger at Annie In theatrical fash
Ion, be wpnt on furiously: "Annie Jeff
ries, you're the woman who visited
Underwood the night of his death! I
don't hesitate to say so. I've said so
all along, haven't I, Maloney?"'
"Yes, you told the newspapers so,"
retorted Annie dryly.
Taking no notlcs of hsr remark, tbs
captain blustered:
"I've got your record, young wom
an! I know all about you and your
folks-. You knew ths two men when
they were at college. You knew Un
derwood before you mads the ac
quaintance of rouna- Jeffrloa. It
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Underwood who Introduced you t
your husband. It waa Underwood whs
aroused your husband's Jealousy.
You went to his rooms that nlghi
Your husband followed you there, aa4
the shooting took place!" Turning t
Judge Brewster, he added, with a sar
castle grin: "False confession, sat
Hypnotism, eh? I guess It's Interna,
tional and constitutional law foryeur)
after this."
"You don't say so?"' exclaimed Am
nle; Irritated at the man's Intolerable
Insolence. '
Judge Brewster held up a restrain.
log hand. "
"Please say nothing," he said wttl
dignity.
"No, I guess I'll let him talk. 0
on, captain," she said with a smlltj,
aa If thoroughly enjoying the sltuv
tlon.
Alicia came forward, her face pal,
but on It a look of determination, a
U she had quite made up her mind B
to what course to pursue. In her
hand was Underwood's letter. Ad
dressing Annie, she said, with emo
tlon:
"The truth must come out sooner a
later."
Seeing what she was about to do
Annie quickly put out her hand to
stop her. She expected the banker'
wife to do her duty, she had Insisted
that she must, but now she was ready
to do It, she realized what It was cost
lug her. Her position, her future has
plness were at stake. It was too great
a sacrifice. Perhaps there was soms
other way,
"No, no, not yet,'' she whispered.
But Alicia brushed her aside and.,
thrusting the letter Into the hand ot
the astonished police captain, b
said:
"Yes, now! Read that, captain!" -Capt.
Clinton slowly unfolded ta
letter. Alicia collapsed tn a chair.
Annie stood by helpless, but trying; ts
collect her wits. The Judge watches
(he scene with amaxement, not under
standing. The captain read from the
letter: ' 'Dear Mrs. Jeffries." He stopped,
nd glancing at the signature, ex
claimed, "Robert Vnderwood!" Look
ing significantly at Annie, he exclaim .
( -rar Mrs. Jeffries!' Is that con-
elusive enough? What did I tell you?"
Continuing to peruse the letter, h
r'ad on: "Shall be found dead to
morrow suicide ' " He stopped
short and frowned. "What's this?
Why, this Is a barefaced forgery!"
Judge Brewster quickly snatched
the letter from his hand and, glancing
over It quickly, said:
"Permit m. This belongs to mjt
client"
(Continued Next Issue.)
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