Boy's Cinema (1933)

Every Tuesday would buy back the diamonds and re- store some of the money they had filched from your father. The jewels were insured, and the company claimed on us. That claim was settled, and the jewel store was closed down. Revela- tions have come to light since that show- ing it was a crook concern. Naturally, the Jewellers' Association are anxious to recover the diamonds, and if they were found it would take away a great deal of the stigma on your father's name. If you could tell me where the diamonds are, a great deal would have been achieved.'' James Wilkie had played his cards well, but he was a little too speedy in coming to the vital issue. With a woman's instinct Josie did not trust this man. "1 do not know anything about the diamonds." Wilkie shot her a venomous glance, but a second later he was again the smooth, oily schemer. "Come, come, my dear! Everybody knows that you must be aware of the hiding-place of the diamonds. Don't you realise that by keeping quiet you are compounding a felony, and making it hard on your father's name. Moreover, young lady, the Jewellers' Association have lost a lot of money over those dia- monds, and you woidd not wish to see them suffer." "I don't know anything about the diamonds," Josie answered. "Also, I don't think the Jewellers' Association will be ruined if the diamonds arc not found." Her face was pale, but determ- ine I. " If you will a-k me questions that will lead to the finding of the murderer of my father I might be able to answer them." Did she suspect him? No—impossible 1 James Wilkie lit a cigarette to hide his - tddenly white lips. "The cause of the two killings were the diamonds," was his next argument. "Those jewels have a curse on them. and it would be better if they were back in a safe deposit. I want to help cap- ture the person who killed your father, and 1 think the most important clue is those diamonds. Can yon give me no information on their biding-place?" .•ie!" For another ten minutes he tried a the i arguments he oouM think of. but Josie really knew nothing of the diamonds. Th< nied know- of then- hiding-place, the more Wilkie became convinced that she knew it. "I have been very kind and reasonable te said after a fourth cigarette. "But 1 mu I point out that this .-.tuh- ness to answer may be aniorl for you. I am convinced you know ot t.ho hilling til.ire of the diamonds, and nl to give them up might be onatrued. The police might think VOU intend to keep the diamonds. Vim told me that you knew about your lather's crimej, and that alone is suf- • trouble. That you shel- tercd him and helped him evade the law punishable crime. Hut if yo veal the hiding place I will guarantee' that no II be taken against yon." "I would not use diamond-! tainted by blood. i ■ leaned wearily against tin; table. "I do not know where they hidden Unless there is anything • i a*k, may 1 go, pie ■*You're not leaving lien: till you ,-,i>. whet ■ I Wilkie. "I know you know, and going to talk and talk quick 1" Junior Sootl walked about the ante . until the- sheriff told him '• BOY'S CINEMA down and not be so restless. Junior sat—but kept on staring at the closed door. What a long time Wilkins was taking to question Josie! His mother had called in the doctor, who had said that the girl would have a nervous breakdown if she did not rest, and vet she was undergoing this ordeal. He had only thought the detective would ask a few simple questions, and then allow him to take Josie home. Of course Josie would tell where the diamonds were hidden—in that case, why was the girl being detained so long? " Mister Sheriff, Josie's been in there a long spell." "Keep quiet, Junior; Mr. Wilkins knows his business. One has sometimes to be cruel to be kind. Mr. Wilkins must find out everything." "But, sheriff," persisted Junior, "Doc told my mother that Josie was not at all well. He said she had been leading such a rotten life fleeing from place to place that her nerves were all shot to pieces. I think you ought to tell Mr. Wilkins to give over questioning for this evening, or else, sheriff, she'll be ill." "I reckon the kid's right," added a deputy. "Hum!'' was the sheriff's non-commit- tal answer, but he rapped at the door. "Mr. Wilkins," he called out, "a word with you." Wilkie cursed when the sheiiff rapped at the door. He was so worked up that he could have taken the girl by the shoulders and shaken her into talkinj:, but the sheriff at the door stopped him. \ pale, exhausted girl staggered forth, 19 and Junior rushed forward to support her. He glared at Mr. Wilkins. "Steady on, pard!" he cried. "Oh, shut up!" snarled the crook. "Sheriff, better let the girl go home. No, I couldn't get an atom of sense out. of her. I'll go across and have another talk with her in the morning." And he scowled at Junior as if he guessed that the boy had stopped the cross- questioning. Wilkie's Threat and Junior's Bluff. JUNIOR did not sleep much that night for thinking of the crime. Josie came down to breakfast and there was colour in her checks. The kindness of Mrs. Scott thawed her cold misery and despondency and soon she smiled a little. "My dear." said Mrs. Scott. "You go off and let Junior show you his treasure house. I can clear up quite easily, and *' She put a motherly arm round the pretty girl. "Don't you worry. Everything's coming all right, and you're staying here just as long as you like." "You and Junior are too kind to me—a crook's daughter." "Hush, don't think too much about that," counselled Mrs. Scott. "Don't cry. Just you go along with Junior." Junior was only too willing, and the girl was most interested in the various rewards' notices he had collected, and his false moustaches and beards he had made for disguise purposes; his book of notes about most of the people in Ren- ville and other oddments. In fact she had not seen half of them when the barking of Scout made Junior wonder what was wrong. Then Abraham poked his head through the trapdoor into the loft. " Sheriff and 'tec coming this way. Cave!" With that he vanished. June 10th, 1933.