Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1901 — THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY [ARTICLE]

THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY

By RoDRIGUES OTTOLENGUI,

Author of “An Artist In Crime,” “A Conflict of Evidenoe,” “A Modern WUerd,” “Filial Proof,’’ Etc. Oopyrtgkt, XOO, by G. P. Putnam* Sons. AM rights reserved.

[CONTINUED.] ' “Oh, nay a hundred dollars!” “Done! I’m your man!” “Oh, then you would be willing: to swear that he was not here after midnight?’’ “For a hundred 1 would!” “But, us a matter of fact, was he here, or was he not? What is the truth?” “I told you he was here, didn’t I? That’s a fact, but that don’t cut no ligure with me. I’ll swear the other way,' and all the lawyers in town Wouldn’t confuse me or trip me up.” “I guess that Is true. You have been well drilled in your part and well paid too.” “What do you mean? I ain’t on.” “I mean that you lied on the witness stand and that you are adhering to your story now.” “You’re hard to please, mister. But I ain’t easy to offend. I’ll swear either way you like. There; that’s fair enough, ain’t it VLook here! - Let me make myself clear. What I want is the truth. I will pay for that, whatever it is. But When you admit that you are such a liar how am I to believe what you tell me?” “That’s so, blister. You’ve got me there. I don’t know why you should. But what can I do to help you out?” “I cannot take your word unsupported. You tell me that Mora was here late that night. There was a dance going on, was there not?” “A regular hummer.” “Did Mora dance with any of the women?” “Why, sure! You don’t take him for a wallflower, do you?” “I have been told that the best dancer here that night was a girl called Lilian Vale." This assertion was made merely to watch its effect and upon the chance that it might be true, since the barkeeper had told him that the girl frequented the hall and had expressed her intention to be at the opening soiree on the following night. This Mr. Mitchel doubted, buk he had determined that in case he should fall to find her before then he would be present himself. “Yes; she was here,” said Rogers. "Did Mora dance with her?” asked Mr. Mitchel. “No," replied Rogers; “I don’t think he danced with her; leastways I didn’t see him. But then I wasn’t on the watch all the time, notsbein a dancin /inau myself, but more in the drinkin line, which just reminds me my throat is parched again. You must excuse my mentionin it, but I ain’t talked so long on a stretch in years.” More beer was ordered, and Mr. Mitchel followed up his advantage. “You say he did not dance with this girl. Then of course you know her?” “Know the Lily? Well, I should smile, since she was so high,” indicating a stature so low that he must have known her at birth if he were correct. “Does she know Mora?” “That’s more than I can tell you.” “Well, do you know where she can be found at present?” “I don’t know where she’s livin, but I can find her for you If there’s any money in it,” the last part of the sentence added slyly. “Oh, have no fear! You will be well paid. How soon can you find this girl?” > ’ “By this afternoon, I reckon. You see,. I know a woman as knows her well, sort of brought her up, as you might say. But they don’t live together now, ’cause the old woman took to gin. But the girl makes it a point to see her two or three times a week, so I’ve only got to find out what time expected, and you could lay round till she shows up. And there you are, as neat as wax.” The proposition seemed to be a good one, for, even though this girl and the mysterious Mrs, Morton might be the same person, still her change of residence would in no way prevent her from visiting her old foster mother. Besides, now that he had heard of this elder woman Mr. Mitchel was

more than ever pleased, for, while he might have difficulty with the girl, it would be comparatively easy to extract information from the old woman, who could be made garrulous if a little liquor were wisely administered. “Very well, Rogers,” said Mr. Mitchel. “The sooner you find out about this the better. Suppose you visit the old woman at once, and I will go with you.” “One time’s the same as another with me,” replied the old sot, and the two men left the room. As they were about to pass the bar Rogers slyly remarked: “Did you speak? Yes; thanks! Gi’ me a whisky straight, Jack,” with which he leaned against the bar with the air of an old habitue. Mr. Mitchel handed a fifty dollar note to the barkeeper and told him that he might keep the change, which the man did. Then Mr. Mitchel followed Rogers out of the place and up town to a dingy looking house in Henry street where Rogers stopped, remarking: “P’raps I’d better go up first and see how the land lays, eh? The old party may be drunk and not receivin visitors.” “Very well,” said Mr. Mitchel, “but hurry back.” This injunction was obeyed, for within ten minutes Rogers was down stairs again, apparently excited. “Say, mister,” said he, “you’ve struck it rich. The old woman’s sober, and the girl’s with her. Go right up—second floor front, right side—and if you don’t need me any more, why”— “I can settle, eh?” said Mr. Mitchel, finishing his sentence for him. “Here Is some money for you. Good day.” “Right you are, mister. You know my address, Apollo hall; office hours from Ba. m. to 10 p. m. Ta, ta!” And he shuffled off, holding himself a little nsoiu .*<•[ in-ca ... . - i-.v money in his pocket. « Mr. Mitchel h< 'hv.o.! for a moment, wondering 1. v i,, , to effect his object. He had a ; expected to find the girl at this house, and he would have preferred to have a talk first with the old woman alone. But now that the girl was so near at hand the opportunity of meeting her should not be lost. He had learned from Rogers that the name of the old woman was Susan Cooper, that she had been married at one time to a soldier and that she was living upon a government pension. She was never sober, except when short of money, and this was usually near the end of the quarter, during the last weeks of which she did odd jobs, W'hen she could get work, and so managed until the next pay day. Mr. Mitchel very quickly decided to pretend that his business was with Mrs. Cooper, so that the girl need not be warned of his wish to meet her. He ascended the rickety stairway in the darkness, feeling his way with outstretched arms, and knocked at the door of the old woman’s room. “Come in!” cried a voice within, no effort being made to ascertain who the visitor might be. frO BB CONTINUED.]