第82章 THE CONFESSION(1)

Burke was a persistent man, and he had set himself to getting the murderer of Griggs.Foiled in his efforts thus far by the opposition of Mary, he now gave himself over to careful thought as to a means of procedure that might offer the best possibilities of success.His beetling brows were drawn in a frown of perplexity for a full quarter of an hour, while he rested motionless in his chair, an unlighted cigar between his lips.Then, at last, his face cleared; a grin of satisfaction twisted his heavy mouth, and he smote the desk joyously.

"It's a cinch it'll get 'im!" he rumbled, in glee.

He pressed the button-call, and ordered the doorman to send in Cassidy.When the detective appeared a minute later, he went directly to his subject with a straightforward energy usual to him in his work.

"Does Garson know we've arrested the Turner girl and young Gilder?" And, when he had been answered in the negative: "Or that we've got Chicago Red and Dacey here?""No," Cassidy replied."He hasn't been spoken to since we made the collar....He seems worried," the detective volunteered.

Burke's broad jowls shook from the force with which he snapped his jaws together.

"He'll be more worried before I get through with him!" he growled.He regarded Cassidy speculatively."Do you remember the Third Degree Inspector Burns worked on McGloin? Well," he went on, as the detective nodded assent, "that's what I'm going to do to Garson.He's got imagination, that crook! The things he don't know about are the things he's afraid of.After he gets in here, I want you to take his pals one after the other, and lock them up in the cells there in the corridor.The shades on the corridor windows here will be up, and Garson will see them taken in.The fact of their being there will set his imagination to working overtime, all right."Burke reflected for a moment, and then issued the final directions for the execution of his latest plot.

"When you get the buzzer from me, you have young Gilder and the Turner woman sent in.Then, after a while, you'll get another buzzer.When you hear that, come right in here, and tell me that the gang has squealed.I'll do the rest.Bring Garson here in just five minutes....Tell Dan to come in."As the detective went out, the doorman promptly entered, and thereat Burke proceeded with the further instructions necessary to the carrying out of his scheme.

"Take the chairs out of the office, Dan," he directed, "except mine and one other--that one!" He indicated a chair standing a little way from one end of his desk."Now, have all the shades up." He chuckled as he added: "That Turner woman saved you the trouble with one."As the doorman went out after having fulfilled these commands, the Inspector lighted the cigar which he had retained still in his mouth, and then seated himself in the chair that was set partly facing the windows opening on the corridor.He smiled with anticipatory triumph as he made sure that the whole length of the corridor with the barred doors of the cells was plainly visible to one sitting thus.With a final glance about to make certain that all was in readiness, he returned to his chair, and, when the door opened, he was, to all appearances, busily engaged in writing.

"Here's Garson, Chief," Cassidy announced.

"Hello, Joe!" Burke exclaimed, with a seeming of careless friendliness, as the detective went out, and Garson stood motionless just within the door.

"Sit down, a minute, won't you?" the Inspector continued, affably.He did not look up from his writing as he spoke.

Garson's usually strong face was showing weak with fear.His chin, which was commonly very firm, moved a little from uneasy twitchings of his lips.His clear eyes were slightly clouded to a look of apprehension, as they roved the room furtively.He made no answer to the Inspector's greeting for a few moments, but remained standing without movement, poised alertly as if sensing some concealed peril.Finally, however, his anxiety found expression in words.His tone was pregnant with alarm, though he strove to make it merely complaining.

"Say, what am I arrested for?" he protested."I ain't done anything."Even now, Burke did not look up, and his pen continued to hurry over the paper.

"Who told you you were arrested?" he remarked, cheerfully, in his blandest voice.

Garson uttered an ejaculation of disgust.

"I don't have to be told," he retorted, huffily."I'm no college president, but, when a cop grabs me and brings me down here, I've got sense enough to know I'm pinched."The Inspector did not interrupt his work, but answered with the utmost good nature.

"Is that what they did to you, Joe? I'll have to speak to Cassidy about that.Now, just you sit down, Joe, won't you? Iwant to have a little talk with you.I'll be through here in a second." He went on with the writing.

Garson moved forward slightly, to the single chair near the end of the desk, and there seated himself mechanically.His face thus was turned toward the windows that gave on the corridor, and his eyes grew yet more clouded as they rested on the grim doors of the cells.He writhed in his chair, and his gaze jumped from the cells to the impassive figure of the man at the desk.Now, the forger's nervousness increased momently it swept beyond his control.Of a sudden, he sprang up, and stepped close to the Inspector.