Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 23: what you’re looking at

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20 “Caught red-handed,” he muttered, in an ugly voice. ‘The jewel was found in her trunk—that’s what I call good evidence.” _ “But that fellow Wiggin must have put it in there,” utged Mr. Temple, again. . “Re- member, sergeant, he was for hours in the car. This detective will swear that the lock had been tampered with!’ “Bosh! A detective will swear to any- thing,’ was the suriy answer. ‘The girl will have to be locked up—that’s all there is about it. If you can prove that the other fellow did it the judge will let her off in the morning. It’s my duty to lock her up, and I’m going. to do it.” “Will you accept cash bail?” asked» Mr. Temple, eagerly. “I have no real estate in the city, but I can get cash in an hour. Name the amount and then let Miss Marlowe sit in your .office until [ can get it.”’ “Prisoners all treated alike in this ranch,” snarled the sergeant, angrily. “I don’t make no exceptions, ain’t allowed to do so! She has got to be locked up, and that’s all there is about it! Remove the woman, officer, and let’s hear that other fellow’s story.” Mr. Temple put his arm around Marion’s waist, but neither of them moved, and, as the detective pushed Bill Jenkins toward the desk, Alma Allyn stepped in front of him. “You are a brute, sir!’ she said, distinctly, looking the sergeant squarely in the eye. “Shame on you for your treatment of an in- nocent young girl! How would you like some other brute to treat your daughter in this manner?” The question struck home, and for once the fellow’s eyes wavered, but, at that mo- ment, Bill Jenkins took a step forward and laid his hand on the railing. ; “T can tell my story in a very few words,” he said, hoarsely. “I used to be a detective before I begun running on the train, and I still wear the badge of a deputy marshal. I was asked to arrest that actress on the train simply because the woman she stole the pin from will be in Columbus to-day, and she wanted the whole business done in this city. I lost the paper and couldn't serve it. As for the fellow in the baggage car, I know nothing about him! He was a stowaway, fair and square. That’s all there is about Tagg “This man carried the key and was in charge of the baggage car. [ claim that he was responsible, and I insist upon your hold- ing him, sergeant!” said Mr. ‘Temple. “No grounds for holding him! His story is straight enough,” was the sergeant’s an- swer. “If you want him again, you Il have to vet out a warrant. Now oblige me, if you please, by letting go of that prisoner! Mr. Temple’s arm fell slowly from MY QUEEN. J * * o . » f Marion’s waist as a uniformed policeman — came striding up to her. “Please don’t feel so badly, Alma,” said — Marion, turning to her friend. “Really, l’m not a bit afraid to be locked - inacell. Iam sure it will all be made right in a few hours, and this will only add one — more to my list of experiences.” “Oh, Marion, if I could only stay with you!” voice. Bill Jenkins had shuffled out of the station- — house while Marion was speaking, and the next moment the policeman tapped the young — girl sharply on the shoulder. “Come this way, miss,” he said, pulling a big iron key from his pocket. “Great Heaven! How horrible! must not be, Mr. Temple!” cried Miss Allyn. “Marion must not be locked up! Is there no way to prevent it?” “T’ll give you five hundred dollars out of my own pocket to release her!” said Mr. Temple, to the sergeant. ‘Quick, will you ac- cept my bribe, you miserable tyrant?” Marion Marlowe had reached the threshold of the door that led to the prison, and, as the sergeant hesitated, she turned back, her eyes shining brightly. “Don’t! Don’t blacken your soul with any worse sins!” she called out, in her ringing voice. “Heaven knows you are brutal enough and unjust enough! Don’t fall any lower by accepting a bribe, sir!” A dark, red flush mantled the sergeant’s face. As he gazed at the beautiful girl, he came slowly to his senses. Advice like this was unusual to his ears, and it was more remarkable still, coming as it did from a prisoner. He opened his lips to speak, but Marion stopped him with a gesture. “T would not accept my freedom at your hands now, sir,” she said firmly. “I will let this matter go through the courts, and, in the end, we shall see who will wield the sceptre of Justice!” There was a sharp click of a key and the door was closed upon her, Beautiful Marion Marlowe was to spend the day in a prison cell—perhaps the night. All depended on the efforts of her indignant companions. CHAPTER IX. A DOUBLE GAME, Mr. Temple and Miss Allyn were several blocks from the station-house when Alma suddenly jerked his coat sleeve sharply. “Took! There is Bill Tenks s on_the cor- cried Miss Allyn, with a sob in her | Ohy 7 Ebooksicom 4g { | & : :