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Show TIIE H: By RicliarJ Harding Davis ttt It t itl tit4-itthe voice over the telephone WHEN to name the man who killed Hermann Hanf, District Attorney Wharton was uptown lunching at This was contrary to his custom ami a ron?"ilon to Hamilton Cutler, his distinguished hrother-in-ThDet-tnonlf- o'. hr at vraa Interested In gfnt!man -- state constabulary bill and had asked Stat Senator Biassil to father it. He had suggested to the senator that. In the legal points Involved In the bill, woulJ undoubtedly his brother-in-labe charmed to advise him. So that r, Rlsselt had morning, to talk It n -- - w Albany and, as he was forced to return the same afternoon, had asked Wharton to lunch with him uptown frm come nir att station. tv brathd in p ti tle life there TT a so dead who, wer he mm :', Hamilton r offered a hanr. to Kr chance t'no V.tr. would not jump at was outside the experience of the roin-- t And In so judging his y chairman. men the exception of on with fellow The on til sn. the senator was fight. brother-in-law min ,n Hamilton Cutler with f w. In the national affairs of ids party Hamilton Cutler was one of the four leaders. In two cabinet he had h Id off-At a foreign court as an ambassador hi dinners, of which the diplomatic corps still spoke with emotion, had upheld the dimity of ninety million Americans. He was rich- The history of his family was the history of the state. When the Albany boats drew abreast of the old Cutler mansion on bank of the Hudson the the point- I at it with deference. F.ven when th searchlights pointed at And on Fifth I r, it wns with deference e. - pas-ser..e- e-- st rs - ovr.u the a New York" .eint hotisse it slowed p-a- car his town to htlf speed.. When. apparno other reason titan that she for ently was ko"1 and beautiful, tie had married the sifter of a then unknown w ver. every one felt Hamilton Cutter had made Ms first mistake, lint, tike vrvthiriK et Into which h entered, f.r him matrimony also was a success. T prettiest fjrl In Ctica showed herself v. orthy of hr dlstlniEjuished hush had given him children as band. beaufiful herself; ns what Wnhint;-to- n rails "a cabinet lady" fh had kept her nan-.- e out of the newspapers: as Madame I' Ambassn trire she had put passed up-sta- 1 te 1 i rch-duch- rw': ses at their ef ar. l a Downtown at th office, Iliimson, the assistant district attorney, was on his way to lunch when the telephone girl halted him. "Her voice was lowered and betrayed almost human Interest. From the corner of mouth she whispered: "This man has a note for Mr, Wharton says If he don't get It nufck It'll bo too late says It will tell him who killed Jleimle" Hanfr The young man and the clrl looked at each other and umlled. Their ex perl ence had not tended to rnaka them credulous. Had he lived. Herman Hanf woiiM have been, for Wharton, the star witness again! a ring- of corrupt police officials. In eonsertuer.ee his murder was more than the taking off of a It was shady and disreputable citizen. a blow struck at the hiuh office of the district attorney, at the grand Jury, and the law. But. so far, whoever struck the blow had escaped punishment, and though for a month, ceaselessly, by night and day "the office" and the police had eousrht him. he was still at larRe. still "unknown." There had been hundreds of clews. They had been furnished by the detectives of the city and county anl of the private agencies, by amateurs, by newspapers, by members of the underworld with a score to pay off or to naln favor. Hut no clew had led anywhere. When. In hoarse whispers, the last one had been confided to him by his detectives. Wharton had protected indlsnantly. ex"Stop brf nsiru? me clews!" he claimed, "t want the man. I can't electrocute a clew!" Fo when, after all other efforts, over tin telephone a strange voice offered to deliver the murderer. Humson was skeptical. He motioned the girl to switch to the desk telephone. "Assistant District Attorney Rumson epeakintr." he said. "'What can I do for you?" nfore the answer came, as though: the speaker were chooslnsr his words, there was a paue. It lasted so loni? exclalned sharply: that Humson "Hello.- - he called. "Do you want to to me. or do you want to speak to me?" "I've eotta letter for the district attorney." said the voice. "I'm to jrlve It to nobody but him. , It's aboutBanf. or It'll be too lie must pet it quh-klate." Who are you-- " demanded Ttumson. "Where nr.? you speaking: from?" The man at the other end of the wire Ignored-thquestions. "Where'll Wharton be for the next twentyI minutes?" "If tell you." parried Humson. "will you brlntr the letter at once?" The voi"e exclaimed Indignantly: "IlrinK nothing: I'll send it by district messenger. You're wasting time trying to reach me. It's the letter you want. It tells" the voice broke with nn oath and Instantly began again:. "I a n't talk over a phone, I tell you, it's life or death. If you 'lose out, it's vour own fault. Where can I find Wharton?" "At Delmonlco's." answered Rumson. "He ll be there until 2 o'clock." "Delmonlco's That's Forty-fo- after was an odorlntr wife, a ten years iVTof.l mother, and a proud woman. street?" "Right." said Humson. "Tell the pride was in believing that for every Joy she knew she v.as indebted He heard the receiver slam upon the entirely to her husband- - To owe every- hook. With the light of the hunter In hla thing tr him. to feel that through him t? blessfosts fiowe.l. was her Ideal of eyes, ho turned to the girl. "They ran laugh." he cried, "but 1 happiness. we've hooked something. I'm believe in this Ideal her brother did not going after It " tl In the waiting room he found the share. Her dellrht in a sense of oblione No "oUh gation left him 'i, v "Hewitt." he ordered, "take the w that his rap- bttT rs- inhimself knfavor Talk Delmonlco's. to and up whip was due to to the till a mcsenger boy public Ms o'n exertions, fo the fact that he t rlr.gs a letter for the D. A. Iet the I i.l worked very ftard. had been Indeboy deliver th note, and then trail him and hinds his till he reports to the man he got It clean, had kept pendent, from. Bring the man here. If It's a h id worn no man's rollar. other peopl t lo- t district messenger and he doesn't re- t.livt! h or. hisI ; ..aslvanrerm-nknew thev be- r.rt. but Koe stralsht bnck to the of fi e, find out who gave hint th" note: I that, ars l it him. Wh-nhurt tier. or- - pet his description. Then meet me at at Hie nrnu l dinner of the Ami-" t r k t r. g to s Delmonlco's as turn iKr, tUy bur t"''pied Httmson called up tlvat restaurant and "Ham" Cutler. "You rnvle me what I baa he I Whirton rome to the phone. He led." sat am to iv. bore you're with tb others asked Ms rhief to wait until a letter found thiit t Importance thing rff in effort. His was a frf believed to be of great He explained, difficult position, I wax prfy nun; was iliiver.j to him. but. of neressity, somewhat sketch tly. lntd the hid Iwar wnrh-"It sounds to me." commented his he ton. The f..rt th.it when-vnffh-"like a plot of yours to get a chief. r formers the eterttve nn t,n -. i"r-him and the best r!er.ients In !ttn'h uptown." "Invitation: cried Humson. "I'll be the opposition parties voted for him IM not ah a He hi lvatty to tils own with you In ten minutes." After Rttmron had Joined Wharton Cfitler. as one people. r And. to Hamilton the note arrive!. It was rtv tt ht f!r.'. as or. of th" bosswas and Ht"stl to the restaurant by a messenhe brought .if th ir.vlibte governrnTt," said who that la answer to a boy, ger wtUIriir to defer. Hut while he routd on Sixth avenue he n saloon all from leaders. his at to ive iTiance was prty re-- el ved It a young man in from lad , r fforu them willing to reeeive t clothes and a green hat. a from rich of office, rewards the asked what the When n detective, Hewitt, witit rolher-lrt-t:i7not was all he w - s the vo ir g man looke'd like, the boy said insr to accept anything. Stifl f man In erved be r looked like a young h wtltifig thit of the credit he d a Hut and hat. clothes green hard work for the p;irtv. when the note was rea-- the identity of and or efficient public of 9tf man It who to be delivered thf reaed a brother-in-iw shouid the rich of iirtj rtsnee. The paper on which It rait hiru. was written was without stamped ade His prid- was to b known as a or and carried with It dress man, as thet servant only of the the mixedmonogram, of odors the drug store at now had he that voters. And fought which It had ben purchased. The handhis tv.tv to one of the gats of Ms a was of and what that woman, writing attorh district row that j was: the "If had written she ney of New York City, to bave it it attorney wilt rome at once, anddistrict alone, that t " office was the jrift of Ms to ra fe. on the Itoton Post brother-in-lawas bitter. Hut he Kjlcrs he will be told nar the rity line, the injustice would soon end. ro.iil. Hanf. Hermann If he don't killed who was. In a month he coming up for will It In an be too rome late. If hour. and titrhe and day was with he won't he him, anybody brings 1 1 t tie would a rampalsn hoped I.ea car y in o:r told be anything. ! ion.il in n tory s brother-in-laomplete the road ond wnlk up the drive. Ida rsu!t w ns to ,ir.l i the sti.ido of his Fa He. Were ho by the ma- - j Hewitt, who had sent a wnv the mes- , um... ,,r jur. boy and Sad been railed In to Ive was enthusiastic. advl j. expert Hamilton Sutler wou id b forced to he cried, "Mr. District Attorney," come to hlrtj. He would be In line for "that's no rank letter. This Harle He knw the leaders did woman Is wis". You got to take her promotion as 1dm. that they a sortous proposition. She wouldn't rot want to promote onMdered htm too Inclined to kick over m.ike that play if she couldn't get th traces; but were- he now away with It" r. t the next election, either for mayor "Who is she?" csked Wharton. or governor, he would be his party's To the ;.oilce, the detective assured obvious an legitimate candidate. rte had been known for Ida was not to be an easy them, Th ars. she was young she had y Wen victory. Outside his own party, to preof a man vent bis succeeding himself as district been under the protection v. " J" u attorney Tammany Hall was using in i m ii'.r uiiifreni venr. comconeijueiu. her In The armory. every weapon tures the police had never interfered. missioner of police was a Tammany She e now was proprietress of the In Wharton the and mart, public prints 1 5;. n . tn note as described the Kessler's f declared that had his enfe. It was a lIace for star re:itedty witness against the police, bad There was a cabaret, a hall for public t hey ben kltd by the police, and that murand rooms for very private d.inclng, had prevented the dtsrovery of his suppers. derer. For this the wtprwam wanted In so fir as it welcomed only those his scalp, and to get it had raked his could spend money it was exwho and had used threat public private life, In all other respects Its and bribes, and with women had tried clusive, butwas of the worst. In situto trap htm into a scandal. Hut "Dig reputation Tim" Meehan. the lieutenant the halt ation it was lonely,a and from other had tfetalied to destroy "Wharton, had houes separated by quarter of a mile reported back that for their purpose his of dying trees and vacant lots. The Hoston Host Road upon which It record was useless, that bribes and threats only flattered htm. and that the faced was the old post road, tmt lately, traps set for him he had smilingly through this bark yard and dumping-groun- d of the city, had been relald. It This was the situation a month before ebctlon riir when, to was patrolled only and Infrequently by Wharton was bicycle policeman. oblige tits bretther-tn-ia"Hut this." continued the detective uptown at Delmonlco's lunching with Senator Blsscll. eagerly, "is where we win out. The s rt llr mes-reng- j de-te- sub-wa- tl-fir- - e taxi-start- er ! . -- I lf .it d er f-- e r 1 " l- , ady-to-we- ar Is !r ready-Y-nrs.o- to-ea- setf-rc.ad- - aru-f-itio- n. 1 f ; be-Mev- ed re-teti- n. con-luft- ir p-- -r f w. . re-elect- ed d, 1 road-louf- Joy-rider- s. shle-steppe- d. w. -r SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, SUNDAY, JANUARY N, If Pf x HERALD-REPUBLICA- ....... ... JOk fr lm' IT 1G, 191G -- . to go!" to me," objected Hissell. to get you there alone and the head." "Not with that note inviting him there." protested Hewitt, "and signed by Karle herself." "You don't know she signed It?" objected the senator. "I know her," returned the detective. "I know she's no fool. It's her place, and she wouldn't let them pull off any rough atuf f there not against the D. A., anyway." The D. A. was rereading the note. "Might thia be it?" he asked, "Suppose It's a trick to mix me up in a You say the place is disscandal? they're planning reputable. Suppose to compromise me Just before election. They've tried it already several times." "You've still got the note," persisted Hewitt. "It proves why you went And tho senator, too. He can there. testify. And he won't be a hundred yards away. And," he added grudgingly, "you have Nolan." Nolan was the rpolled child of "the office." He was the district attorney's pet. Although still young, he had scored as a detective and as a driver of racing cars. As Wharton's chauffeur he now doubled the parts. "What Nolan testified wouldn't be any help," said Wharton. "They would say It was Just a story he Invented to save me." "Then square yourself this way," Rumson. "Send a note now by hand to Ham Cutler and one to your sister. Tell them you're going to Ida Harle'a and why tell them you're afraid it's a frarne-u- p and for them to keep your notes as evidence. And enclose the one from her." Wharton nodded In approval, and, while he wrote, Humson and the detective planned how, without those Inside the roadhouse being aware of their presence, they might be near It. Kesflter'a cafe lay In the Seventy-nint- h police precinct. In taxlcabs they proceed arranged to start at once and down White Plains avenue, which parallels the Doaton road, until they were on a line with Kessler's, but from it hidden by the woods and the garages. A walk of a quarter of a mile" across lots and under cover of the trees would bring them to within a hundred yards of the house. Wharton was to give them a start of half an hour. That he might know on watch, they agreed, after they were they dismissed tho taxlcabs, to send one of them Into the Boston Post road past the roadhouse. When It was directly In front of the cafe, the chauffeur would throw away into the road an empty clgaret case. From the cigar stand they selected a clgaret box of a startling yellow. At half a mile It was conspicuous. "When you eee this in the road," explained Rumson, "you'll know we're on the job. And after you're inside, if you need us, you've only to go to a rear window and wave." "If they mean to do him up," growled lii.sell, "he won't get to a rear window.". "He can always tell them we're outside," said Humson " and they are exDo tremely likely to believe htm. you want a gun? "No," said the D. A. "Hetter have mine," urged Hewitt. "I have my own." explained the D. A. Humson and Hewitt set off in taxi-caand, a half hour later, Wharton followed. Aa he sank back against the cushions of the big touring car he felt n pleasing thrill of excitement, and as he passed the traffic police, and they saluted mechanically, he smiled. Had they guessed his errand their Interest tn his progress would have been less perfunctory. In naif an hour he might know that the police killed Hanf; In half an hour he himself might walk into a trap they had. In turn, staged for him. As the car ran swiftly through the clean October air, and the wdnd and sun alternatelj chilled and warmed his blod, Wharton considered these possibilities. He could not believe the woman Karle would lend herself to any plot She was a to do htm bodily harm. responsible person. In her own world she was as Important a figure as was the district attorney In his. Her allies were the men "higher up" In Tammany and the police of the upper ranks of the uniformed force. And of the higher office of the district attorney she possessed an intimate and respectful knowledge. It was not to be considered that against the prosecuting attorney such a woman would wage war. Fo the thought that upon his person any assault was meditated Wharton dismissed as unintelligent. That it was upon his reputation the attack was planned seemed nir.--li more probable. Hut that contingency he had foreseen and so, he believed, forestalled. There then remained only the possibility that the offer In the letter was genuine. It seemed quite too good to be true. For, as he asked himself, on the very eve of an election, why should Tammany, or a friend of Tammany, place in his possession the Information that, to the Tammany candidate would bring inevitable defeat. He felt that the way were playinc Into his hands was they too open, toe generous. If their object was to lead him into a trap, of all baits they might use the promise to tell him who killed Hanf was the one certain to attract him. It made their invitation to walk into the parlor almost too obvious. Hut were the offer not genuine, there was a condition attached to it that puzzled him. It was not the condition that stipulated he should come alone, Hla experience had taught him many will cenfess, or betray, to the district attorney who. to a deputy, will tell nothing. The condition that puzzled him was thV one that insisted he should come at once or It would be "too late." Why was haste so Imperative? Why, If he delayed, would he be "too late?" Was the man he sought about to eswas he dycape from his Jurlsdl'-tion- , ing, and was it his wish to make a deathbed confession; or was he so reluctant to speak that delay mi g lit cause him to reconsider and remain either side of the unscarred roadway still lay scattered the uprooted trees and bowlders that had blocked its progress, and abandoned by the cewere empty tar barrets ment sacks, tool sheds, and forges. Nor was the surrounding landscape less raw and unlovely. Toward the sound stretched vacant lots covered with ash heaps; to the left a few old and broken houses set among the d cold frames of truck farms. The district attorney felt a sudden And when an twinge of loneliness. automobile sign told him he was "10 miles from Columbus Circle," he felt that from tho New York he knew ho was much farther. Two miles up the road his car overhauled a bicycle policeman and Wharton halted him. "Is there a roadhouse called Kess-ler'- a beyond here?" he asked. "On the left, farther up," the officer told him, and added, "You can't miss It, Mr. Wharton; there's no other house near it." "You know me." said the D. A. "Then you'll understand what I want you to do. I've agreed to go to that house alone. If they see you pass they may So stop think I'm not playing fair. here." Tho man nodded and dismounted. "Hut," added the district attorney, as the car started forward again, "if you hear shots, I don't care how fast con-tracto- ra glass-covere- you come." The officer grinned. "Better let me trail along now," he called; "that's a tough joint." Hut "Wharton motioned him. back; and when again he turned to look the man still stood where they had parted. Two minutes later an empty taxlcab came swiftly toward him and, as it passed, the driver lifted hla hand from the wheel and with his thumb motioned behind him. "That's one of the men." said Nolan, "that started with Mr, Rumson and Hewitt from Delmonlco's." Wharton nodded; and, now assured that In their plan there had been no A hitch, smiled with satisfaction. moment later, when ahead of them on the asphalt road Nolan pointed out a spot of yellow, ho recognized the signal and knew that within call were friends. The yellow cigaret box lay directly In front of a long wooden building of two stories. It was linked to the road marked on by a curving driveway either side by whitewashed stones. On verandas enclosed in glass Wharton d saw tables under red candle- shades and. protruding from one end of "the house and hung with electric lights in paper lanterns, a pavilion for dancing; In the rear of the house stood sheds and a thick tangle of trees on which the autumn leaves showed Painted fingers and arrows yellow. pointing toand an electric sign proall who passed that this was claimed Kessler's. In spite of its reputation, the house wore the aspect of the commonplace. In evidence nothing flaunted, nothing threatened. From a dozen other inns along the Pelham parkway and the Boston Post road it was in no way to be distinguished. As directed in the note, Wharton left tho car In the road. "For five minutes stay where you are," he ordered Nolan, "then go to the bar and get a drink. Don't talk to any one or they'll think you're trjdng to get information. Work around to the back of the house. Stand where I can see you from the window. I may want you to carry a message to Ir. Rumson." On foot Wharton walked up the curving driveway, and if from the house his approach was spied upon, there was no evidence. lit the second story the blinds were drawn and on the first floor the verandas were empty. Nor, not even after ho had mounted to the veranda and stepped inside the house, was there any sign that his visit was expected. He stood In a hall, and In front of him, rose a broad flight of Ktalrs that he guessed led to the private supper rooms. On his left was the , white-covere- bs With these questions in his mind, the minutes quickly passed, and it was vith a thrill of excitement Wharton saw that Nolan had left the zoological gardens on the right and turned Into tho Hoston road. It had but lately been completed and to Wharton was unfamiliar. restaurant. Swept and garnished after the revels of the night previous, and as though In preparation for those to resting come. It wore an air of peaceful Inactivity. At a table a mnitre d'hotel was composing the menu for the evening, against the walls three colored waiters lounged sleepily, and on a platform at a piano a pale youth with drugged eyes was with one hand pickAs Wharton ing an accompaniment. paused uncertainly the young man, disdaining his audience, In a shrill, nasal tenor raised his voice and sang: "And from the time the rooster calls I'll wear my overalls, And you, a simple gingham gown, So, If strong for a shower of rice, Wo two could make a paradise Of any Town." At sight of Wharton the head waiter detached himself from his reluctantly menu and rose. Hut before he could greet the visitor, Wharton heard his name spoken and, looking up, saw a woman descending the stairs. It was apparent that when young she had been beautiful, and. In splto of an expression In her eyes of hardness and distrust, which seemed habitual, she was still handsomo. She was without a hat and dress of decorous wearing a house shades and In the extreme of fashion. Her black hair, built up in artificial waves, was heavy with brilliantlne; her hands, covered deep with rings, and of an unnatural white, showed the most fastidious care. Hut her complexion was her own; and her skin, free from paint and powder,is glowed with that healthy pink thatof supposed to be the the simple life and perquisite only a One-IIor- I ' X f tt-it- On Wharton. "You got "It looks like a plot rap you on Copyrigbt 1915 by Cbarles Scrifcner I Soni ttl:44444-li- " : roadhouse is "an old farmhouse built over, with the barns changed into gatho edge of a rages. They stand on as a city block. wood. It's about as big from If we come in through the woods the rear, the garages will hide us. Nobody in the house can see us, but we won't be a hundred yards away. You've only to blew a police whistle and we'll be with you." "You mean I orght to go?" said silent? Hi 9 m se conscience undisturbed. "I am Mrs. Karle," said the woman. "I wrote you that note. Will you please come this way?" That she dSd not suppose he might net come that way was obvious, for, as she spoke, she turned her back on him and mounted the stairs.. After an instant of hesitation, Wharton followed. As well as his mind, his body was now acutely alive and vigilant. Both physically and mentally he moved on tiptoe. For whatever surprise, for whatever ambush might lie In wait, he was prepared. At the top of the stairs he found a wide hall along which on both sides were many doors. The one directly facing the stairs stood open. At one side of this the woman halted and with a gesture of the Jewelled fingers Invited him to enter. As "My sitting room," she said. Wharton --remained motionless she substituted, My office." Peering into the room, Wharton found it suited to both titles. He saw comfortable chairs, vases filled with autumn leaves, in silver frames photographs, and between two open windows a businesfsllke roller-to- p desk on which wns a hand telephone. In plain sight through the windows he beheld the garage and behind it the tops of trees. To summon Rumson, to keep in touch with Nolan, he need only step to one of The these windows and beckon. position of the room appealed strategic and with a bow of the head he passed in front of his hostess and entered it. He continued to take note of his surroundings. He now saw that from the office in which he stood doors led to rooms adjoining. These doors were shut, and he determined swiftly that before the interview began he first must know what lay behind them. Mrs. Earle had followed and, as she entered, closed the presented in evidence by the defense, he was studying the card she had given him. He stuck it in his pocket. "I'll go to him at once," he said. To restrain or dissuade him, the woman made no sudden move. In level d tones she said: "Your do wouldn't that you especially that until you'd fixed it with the girl. Your face Is too well known. He's afraid someone might find out where he is and for a day or two no one must know that." "This doctor knows it," retorted Wharton. The suggestion seemed to strike Mrs. Earle as humorous. For the first time she laughed. "Sammy!" she exclaimed. "He's a lobbygow of mine. He's worked for me for years. I could send him up the river if I liked. He knows It." Her tone was convincing. "They both asked," she continued evenly, "you should keep off until the girl is out of the country, and fixed." Wharton frowned thoughtfully. And, observing this, the eyes of the woman showed that, so far, toward the unfortunate incident the attitude of the district attorney was to her most gratifying. Wrharton ceased frowning. "How fixed?" he asked. Mrs. Earle shrugged her shoulders. "Cutler's idea is money," she said; This "but, believe me, he's wrong. come a is She'll vampire. only girl to back you for more. She'll keep on wife, to tell the threatening to telltothe fix her is to throw papers. The way a scare into her. And there's only one man can do that; there's only one man that can hush this thing up that's you.' 'When can I see her?" asked Whar ton. "Now," said the woman. Til bring her." Wharton could not suppress an inbrother-in-law-aske- door. "No!" said Wharton. It was the first time he had spoken. For an instant the woman hesitated, regarding him thoughtfully, and then without resentment pulled the door open. She came toward him swiftly, and he was conscious of the rustle of silk and the stirring of perfumes. At the open door she cast a frown of disapproval and then, with her face close to his, spoke hurriedly in a whisper. "A man brought a girl here to lunch," she said; "they've been here before. The girl claims the man told rfier he was going to marry her. Last night she found out he has a wife already, and she came here today meaning to make trouble. She brought a gun. They were in tho room at the far end of the hall. George, the water, heard the two shots and ran down here to get me. No one else heard. These rooms are fixed to keep out noise, and the piano was going. We broke in and found them on the floor. The man was shot through the shoulder, the girl through the body.In His story is that after she fired. trying to get the gun from her, she shot herself by accident. That's right, I guess. But the girl says they came here to die together what the newspapers call a 'suicide pact' because thejr couldn't marry, and that he first shot her, intending to kill her and then himself. That's silly. She framed it to get him. She missed him with the gun, so now she's trying to get him with this murder charge. I know her. If she'd been sober she wouldn't have shot him; she'd have blackmailed him. She's that sort. " I know her, and With an exclamation the district attorney broke in upon her. "And the man," he demanded eagerly, "was it he killed Banf?" In amazement the woman stared. "Certainly net!" she said. "Then what has thl3 to do with Banf?" Her tone was annoyed, "Nothing!" reproachful. " "That was only to bring you here Hla disappointment was so keen that it threatened to exhibit Itself In anger. Recognizing this, before he spoke Wharton forced himself to pause. Then he repeated her words quietly. "Bring me here?" he asked. "Why?" The woman exclaimed impatiently, "So you could beat the police to it," she whispered, "So you could hush it up!" The surprised laugh of the man was quite real. It bore no resentment or pose. He was genuinely amused. Then the dignity of his office, tricked and insulted, demanded to be heard. He stared at her coldly, his indignation was apparent. "You have done extremely 111," he told her. "You know perfectly well you had no right to bring me up here, to drag me into a row In your roadhouse. 'Hush it up!'" he exclaimed hotly. This .time his laugh was contemptuous" and threatening. "I'll show you how I'll hush it up!" He moved quickly to the open window. "Stop!" commanded the woman. "You can't do that!" She ran to the door. Again he was conscious of the rustle of silk, of the stirring of perfumes. He heard the key turn in the lock. It had come. it was a frame-uThere would be a scandal. And to save himself from it they would force him to "hush up" this other one. But, as to the outcome, in no way was he concerned. Through the window, standbelow it, he had seen Noing lan. directly In the sunlit yard the chauffeur, his cap on the back of his head, his cigarette drooping from his lips, was tossing the remnants of a sandwich to a circle of excited hens. He presented a picture of bored indolence, of Innocent preoccupation. It was almost too well done. Assured of a witness for the he greeted the woman wdth adefense, smile, "Why fan't I do it?" he taunted. She ran close to him and laid her hands on his arm. Her eyes were fixed steadily on his. "Because," she whis"the man who shot that girl Is pered,brother-in-layour Ham Cutler!" For what seemed a long time Wharton stood looking down into the eyes of the woman, and the eyes never faltered. Later he recalled that in the sudden silence mans- - noises disturbed the lazy hush of the Indian summer afternoon; the rush of a motor car on the Boston road, the tinkle of the piano and the voice of the youth with the drugged eyes singing, "And you'll wear a simple gingham gown," from the yard below the cluck-cluc- k of the chickens and the cooing of pigeons. His first thought was of his sister and of her children, and of what this bomb, hurled from the clouds, would mean to her. He thought of Cutler, at the height of his power and usefulness, by this one disreputable act dragged Into the mire, of what disaster it might party, to himself. bring asto the woman the If, invited, he helped to "hush it up," and Tammany learned the truth, it would make short work of him. It would say, for the murderer of Banf he had one law and for the who had tried to rich brother-in-lakill the girl he decei-ed- , another. But before he gave voice to his thoughts he recognized them as springing only from panic. They were of a part with the acts of men driven by sudden fear, and of which acts in their sane mo' ments they would be incapable. The shock of the woman's words had unsettled his traditions.' Not only was he condemning a man unheard, but a man who, though he might dislike him, he had for years, for his private virtues, trusted and admired. The panic passed and with a confident smile he shook his head. "I don't believe you," he said quietly. The manner of the woman was equalassured. ly calm, equally "Will you see her?" she asked. "I'd rather see my brother-in-lawhe answered. The woman handed him a card. "Doctor Muir took him to his private hospital," she said. "I loaned them my car because it s a limousine. The address is on that card. But," she added, "both your brother and Sammy that's Sam Muir, the doctor asked you wouldn't use the telephone: thev're afraid of a leak." Wharton did not hear Apparently her. As though it were "Exhibit A," I p. w, w, ," j ( . voluntary start. "Here?" he exclaimed. For the shade of a second Mrs. Earle exhibited the slightest evidence of embarrassment. "My room's In a mess," she explained; "and she's not hurt so much as Sammy said. He told her she was in bad just to keep her quiet until you got here." Mrs. Earle opened one of the doors a leading from the room. "I won't be minute," she said. Quietly she closed the door behind her. Upon her disappearance the manner of the district attorney underwent an ran softly to the abrupt change. Heone door opposite the through which Mrs. Earle had passed, and pulled it open. But, if beyond it he expected to find an audience of eavesdroppers, he The room was was disappointed. empty and bore no evidence of recent occupation. He closed the door, and,a from tho roller-to- p desk, snatching piece of paper, scribbled upon it has- a tily. Wrapping the paper around coin, and holding it exposed to view, he showed himself at the window. Below him, to an increasing circle of hens and pigeons, Nolan was still scattering crumbs. Without withdrawing his gaze from them, the chauffeur nodded. Wharton opened his hand and the note fell into the yard. Behind him he heard the murmur of voices, the sobs of a woman in pain, and the rattle of a doorknob. As from the window he turned quickly, he saw that toward the spot where his note had fallen Nolan was tossing the last remnants of his sandwich. The girl who entered with Mrs. Earle, on her and supported by her, leaning was tall and fair. Around her shoulders her blond hair hung in disorder, and around her waist, under the kimono Mrs. Earle had thrown about her, were wrapped many layers of bandages. The girl moved unsteadily and sank into a chair. In a hostile tone Mrs. Earle addressed her. "Rose," she said, "this is the district attorney." To him she added: "She calls herself Rose Gerard." One hand the girl held close against her side, with the other she brushed back the hair from her forehead. From d eyes she stared at Wharton defiantly. "Well," she challenged, "what about it?" Wharton seated himself in front of desk. the roller-to- p "Are you strong enough to tell me?" he asked. His tone was kind, and this the girl seemed to resent. ."Don't you worry," she sneered, "I'm strong enough. Strong enough to tell all I know to you, and to the papers, and to a Jury until I get justice." She clinched her free hand and feebly shook It at him. "That's what I'm going to get," she cried, her voice breaking hysterically, "justice." From behind the armchair in which Mrs. Earle caught the girl the eye of the district attorney and shrugged her shoulders. "Just what did happen?" asked Wharton. Apparently with an effort the girl pulled herself together. " "I first met your brother-in-lashe began. Wharton interrupted quietly. "Wait!" he said. "You are not talkme as anybody's brother-in-laing to but as the district attorney." The girl laughedvindictively. of "I - half-close- half-reclin- ed w w, don't wonder ashamed him!" she jeered. Again she began: "I first met Ham Cutler last May. He wanted to marry me then. He told me he was not a married man." As her story unfolded, Wharton did not again interrupt; and speaking the quickly, in abrupt, broken phrases, moher narrative to the girl brought ment when, as she claimed, Cutler had this point a attempted to kill her. At caused both knock at the locked door the girl and her audience to start. Wharton looked at Mrs. Earle inquirher head, and with ingly, but she shook of a look at him also inquiry, and of the door. suspicion as well, opened With apologies her head waiter presented a letter. "For Mr. Wharton," he explained, "from his chauffeur." Wharton's annoyance at the Intermost apparent. "What the ruption" was he began. devil He read the note rapidly, and with a frown of irritation raised his eyes to Mrs. Earle. . "He wants to go to New Rochelle for an inner tube," he said. "How long would it take him to get there and back?" The hard and distrustful expression upon the face of Mrs. Earle, which was habitual, was now most strongly in evidence. Her eyes searched those of Wharton, "Twenty minutes," she said.' "He can't go," snapped Wharton. "Tell him," he directed the "to stay where he is. Tell him waiter, I may want to go back to the office any minute." lie turned eagerly to the girl. t "I'm sorry," he said. With impatience he crumpled the note into a ball and glanced about him. At his feet was a waste paper basket. Fixed upon, him he saw, while pretending not to see, the eyes of Mrs. Earle burning with suspicion. If he destroyed the note, he knew suspicion would become certainty. Without an Instant of hesitation, carelessly he tossed it intact into the waste paper basket. Toward Rose Gerard he swung the revolving chair. "Go on, please," he commanded. The girl had now reached the climax of her story, but the eyes of Mrs. Earle betrayed the fact that her thoughts were elsewhere. With an intense and they were concentrated hungry longing, upon her own waste paper basket. The voice of the girl In anger and defiance recalled Mrs. Earle to the business of the moment. "He tried to kill me," shouted Miss Rose. "And his shooting himself In the shoulder was a bluff. That's my story; that's the story I'm going to tell the judge" her voice soared shrilly "that's the story that's going to send to Sing Sing!" your brother-in-laFor the first time Mrs. Earle contributed to the general conversation. "You talk like a fish," she said. The girl turned upon her savagely. "If he don't like the way I talk," she cried, "he can come across!" Mrs. Earle exclaimed in horror. "Virtuously her hands were , raised In w protest. "Like hell he will!" she said. can't pull that under my roof!' Wharton looked disturbed. "You "'Come across'?", he asked. "Com across?" mimicked tho girl. "Send me abroad and keep me there. And I'll swear it was an accident. Twenty-fiv- e thousand, that's all I want. Cutler told me he was going to make you governor. He can't make you governor if he's in Singe Sing, can he? Ain't it worth twenty-fivthousand to you to be governor? Come on," she jeered, "kick in!" With a grave but untroubled voice Wharton addressed Mrs. Earle. "May I use your telephone?" he asked. He did not wait for her consent, but from the desk lifted the hand telephone. "Spring, three one hundred!" he said. He sat with his legs comfortably crossed, the stand of the instrument balanced on his knee, his eyes gazing meditatively at the yellow tree tops. If with apprehension both women started. If the girl thrust herself forward, and by the hand of Mrs. Earle was dragged back, he did not appear to know it. "Police headquarters?" they heard him ask. "I want to speak to the commissioner. This is the district attorney. In the pau-s- that followed, as though to torment her, the pain in her side apparently returned, for the girl screamed sharply. "Be still!" commanded the older woman. Breathless, across the top of the armchair, she was leaning forward. Upon the man at the telephone her eyes were fixed in fascination. "Commissioner," said the district attorney, "this is Wharton speaking. A woman has made a charge of attempted murder to mo against my brother-in-laHamilton Cutler. On account of our relationship, I want you to make the arrest. If there were any slip, anil I ;u- said he got away, it TKrlH' might be It...... i m . . .rQTtCQ.'l Vnn ' 11 einrl at f!i11' it I H Winona apartments on the 'Southern boulevard, in the private hospital of a Doctor Samuel Muir. Arrest them both. The girl who makes the charge is nt Kessler's cafe, on the Boston post road, inside the city line. Arrest her just too. She tried to blackmail me. I'll appear against her." Wharton rose and addressed himself to Mrs, Earle. "I'm sorry," he said, "but I had to do It. You might have known I could not hush it up. I am the only man who can'.t hush it up. The people of New York elected me to enforce the laws." Wharton's voice was raised to a loud pitch. It seemed unnecessarily loud. It was almost as though he were another and more distant addressing audience. "And," he continued, his voice still soaring, "even if my own family suffer, even if I suffer, even if I lose political promotion, those laws I will enforce!" In the more conventional tone of everyday politeness, he added: "May I speak to you outside, Mrs. 'But, as In silence that lady descended the stairs, the district attorney seemed to have forgotten what it was he wished to say. It was not until he had seen his chauffeur arouse himself from apparently deep slumber and crank the car that he addressed her. "That girl," he said, "had better go back to bed. My men are all around this house and, until the police come, will detain her." He shook the jewelled fingers of Mrs. Earle warmly. "I thank you," he said; "I know you meant "well. I know you wanted to help me, but" he shrugged his shoulders "my duty!" As he walked down the driveway to his car his shoulders continued to move. But Mrs. Earle did not wait to observe this phenomenon. Rid of his presence, she leaped, rather than ran, up the stairs and threw upen the door of her office. As she entered, two men followed her. One was a young man who held In his hand an open note book, the other was Tim Meehan of Tammany. The latter greeted her with a shout. "We heard everything he said!" he cried. His voice rose in torment. "An we can't use a word "of 'it!" He acted just like we'd ouglita knowed he'd act. He's honest! He's So damned honest he ain't human;-he'a gilded ' saint!" Mrs. Earle did not heed him. On her knees she was tossing to the floor the contents of the waste paper basket. From them she snatched a piece of crumpled paper. "Shut up!" she shouted. "Listen! His chauffeur brought him this.''. In a voice that quivered with indignation, sobbed with anger, she read aloud: that " 'As directed by your note from the window, I went to the booth and called up Mrs. Cutler's house and got herself on the phone. Your brother-in-lahome lunched at today with her and tle children and they are now going to the Hippodrome. "'Stop, look, and listen! Back of the bar I see two men in a room, but they did not see me.a One is Tim Meehan, the other is stenographer. He is taking notes. Each of them has of a dictagraph. on the Looks like you'd better watch your step and. not say nothing you don't want " The voice of Mrs. Tammany to print.' Earle rose in a shrill shriek. "Him a gilded saint?" she screamed; "you big stiff! He knew lie was talking into a dictagraph all the. time and . he double crossed us!" w, - V. J - 1 ' 1 s , w ear-muf- fs ... ; |