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Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp The girl went on

"To-morrow you will know about the murder--everyone will know about it; and I will be missed; and there will be people who saw me in the car with them, for someone must have seen me Oh, I can't face it! I want to die I will die! I coo back and stand the disgrace and see him suffer, as he will suffer, for I was all he had--his only child I can't bear to tell you h--but please find some way to let my father know all that I have told you--I swear that it is the truth--by the e laid a hand upon the girl's shoulder "If you are telling us the truth," he said, "you have only a silly escapade with strangenow--your duty is to your father If you take your own life it will be a tacit aduilt and will only serve to double the burden of sorrow and igno becomes public, as it certainly must if a murder has been done The only way in which you can atone for your error is to go back and face the consequences with him--do not throw it all upon hiirl did not reply; but that the man's words had impressed her seehts; which were presently disturbed by the sound of footsteps upon the floor below--theof many feet followed adistinctly through the loose and splintered flooring

"Pipe the stiff," exclainized immediately as that of Soup Face

"The Kid h followed this evidently witty sally

"The guy probably laested another

Thechain echoed dismally from the cellar Instantly silence fell upon the newcomers upon the first floor, followed by a--"Wotinel's that?" Two of the men had approached the staircase and started to ascend it Slowly the uncanny clanking drew closer to the first floor The girl on the bed turned toward Bridge