hat man there," he declared, a crawling contempt in his voice, "is the
thief and the murderer!"

For a heavy moment the incredible accusation stunned the entire group.

"Mr. Braceway," said Bristow, looking now at Fulton and Greenleaf, "is
suffering a delusion."

The two men, however, afforded him no support. They kept their eyes on
Braceway. They gave the effect of falling away from some evil contagion.

"Because," Bristow continued, "I have been the innocent victim of trumped
up charges of embezzlement by the crookedest man in a crooked business,
he accuses me of murder when----"

"Shut up!" commanded Braceway, dropping his hand to his side.

He flashed the pawn broker a quick glance.

Abrahamson leaned over and rapped with his knuckles on the door to the
porch. It opened, admitting two policemen in uniform.

"I took the liberty, chief," Braceway apologized, "of requesting them to
be here. I knew you'd want them to do the right thing, and promptly."

Greenleaf gulped, nodded acquiescence. Stunned as he was, the detective's
manner forced him into believing the charge.

Bristow's smile had faded. But, save for a pallor that wiped from his
checks their usual flush, there was no evidence of the conflict within
him. So far as any notice from him went, the policemen did not exist.

One of them stepped forward and laid a hand on his shoulder.

He ignored it

"Perhaps," he said, sarcasm in his voice, his eyes again on Braceway,
"it will occur to you that I've a right to know why this outrage is
committed."

Once more he commanded Greenleaf with his eyes.

"The chief of police will hardly sanction it without some excuse, without
a shadow of evidence."

"Yes," Greenleaf complied waveringly. "Er--, that is--er--I suppose
you're certain about this, Mr. Braceway?"

"Let's have it! Let's have it all!" demanded Fulton, articulate at last,
his clenched hands shaken by the palsy of rage.

Bristow, with a careless motion, brushed away the policeman's hand.

"By all means," he said, imperturbable still; "I demand it. I'm not
guilty of murder. Not by the wildest flight of the craziest fancy can any
such charge be substantiated."

Greenleaf, noting his iron nerve, his freedom from the slightest sign of
panic, was dumbfounded, and believed in his innocence again.

"I have the proofs," Braceway said to the chief. "Do you want them here,
and now?"

"It might be--er--as well, and--and fair, you know. Yes."

Abraham