The Argosy, April 1916 — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A MYSTERY OF ROSCOE CONKLING PARK. jured parties, you cannot object to our mak- ing a search.” “Not at all. Go as far as you like,” an- swered Yale. ‘Please consider yourselves my guests. Remember, this is my house,” ‘“‘Come ahead, Blake,’”’ directed the chief, and the ransacking of the house began. “Kenneth, what is this new horror?” asked Beverly, resting her elbows on the table and leaning forward with her chin in her hands, to stare at him. “I know you didn’t bring any black bag here.” “T don’t see how you could have brought one, either. There is some big trick being played.” They waited, not with any too com- mendable patience, listening to the heavy tread of feet in different parts of the house, doors being opened and slammed, and fur- niture moved about. Suddenly they heard an _ exclamation, and the footsteps joined on the stairs. In another moment the chief appeared in the kitchen doorway carrying a big black leather bag. He sat it on the table and opened it. The contents were a massive silver candel- abra, a solid silver tea-pot, milk pitcher, spoon-holder and sugar bowl. “I’m sorry.” The chief’s jaws snapped together. ‘“‘We have wasted time in too much talk. Kenneth Yale, and Beverly Wayne, I arrest you in the name of the law for the crime of conspiracy and robbery. Blake, take charge of Miss Wayne.” Filled with an amazement that left them speechless, Yale and Miss Wayne made no attempt to resist. They stared at the con- demnatory evidence that glistened at them from the open mouth of the black bag. They made no request to get hats or any- thing else. Yale’s right foot was bandaged, and he wore his left shoe. In this way, not even locking the house, the two pris- _ oners were led to an automobile. In absolute silence they made the run to Utica, and were ushered into the police headquarters on Pearl Street. But neither of them gave a sign of weakening. Some- what disheveled, and sadly in need of a complete change of clothing, Beverly was more beautiful than ever. ‘“‘A wild woman,” said Blake to the chief. “She would be another Joan of Arc in case of need and opportunity,” was the re- ply. ‘And he’s a cut off the same piece of goods. Damn! Id like to know the truth.” . 57 “Don’t you think you do?” “No. We are farther from the truth than we were the day after the confounded robbery. I’m sorry the court is not sit- ting.” CHAPTER XXVIII. A SUNDAY BEHIND BARS. HE chief was not half so sorry the court was not sitting, as Beverly and Yale found themselves in an hour or two. It was Saturday. The city magistrate had opened court at the usual time, dis- posed of the few unimportant cases from the cells in the basement of the police head- quarters, and had adjourned hearings till Monday morning. He had then gone out of town in his automobile to forget for a time the cares of a continual battle against crime and evil. | The magnitude and importance of the _case left the chief of police no option in the disposal of his prisoners. His personal belief, no matter what it might be, could not batter down the solid wall of official responsibility. He had arrested Yale and Miss Wayne under circumstances that al- most proved their guilt of the Raymond robbery. So it was impossible to admit them to bail. Could he, as chief of police, have as- sumed the responsibility, there was no one ready to come forward and offer bail for the two unfortunates. Beverly was put in one cell, and Yale in another. The jaws of the laws had closed upon them, and the digestive process would begin at once. But the police and matron did them one favor. They sent for fresh clothing for both prisoners. They slept little. Their hours were filled with miserable forebodings. Yale thought of a lawyer, but believed that they were not necessary in a preliminary hearing be- fore an examining magistrate. But what a turmoil of troubled thoughts crowded his brain! There was no getting away from the fact that the chief had discovered the bag of silverware in his house. He knew he had not taken it there. Beverly had been there before him. Had she—could it be possible —that, after all, she was in league with the robbers and this was her share of the booty? How had the chief learned about the MICLOOOK C@