"I am Hettie Penning," she continued, addressing Jonas Prim."My father has always admired you and from what he has told me I knew that you would listen to me and do what you could for me.I could not bear to think of going to the jail in Payson, for Payson is my home.Everybody would have known me.It would have killed my father.Then I wanted to come myself and tell you, after reading the reports and insinuations in the paper, that your daughter was not with Reginald Payn-ter when he was killed.She had no knowledge of the crime and as far as I know may not have yet.I have not seen her and do not know where she is; but I was present when Mr.Paynter was killed.I have known him for years and have often driven with him.He stopped me yesterday afternoon on the street in Payson and talked with me.He was sitting in a car in front of the bank.After we had talked a few minutes two men came out of the bank.Mr.Paynter introduced them to me.He said they were driving out into the country to look at a piece of property--a farm somewhere north of Oakdale --and that on the way back they were going to stop at The Crossroads Inn for dinner.He asked me if Iwouldn't like to come along--he kind of dared me to, because, as you know, The Crossroads has rather a bad reputation.
"Father had gone to Toledo on business, and very foolishly I took his dare.Everything went all right un-til after we left The Inn, although one of the men--his companion referred to him once or twice as The Oska-loosa Kid--attempted to be too familiar with me.Mr.
Paynter prevented him on each occasion, and they had words over me; but after we left the inn, where they had all drunk a great deal, this man renewed his atten-tions and Mr.Paynter struck him.Both of them were drunk.After that it all happened so quickly that I could scarcely follow it.The man called Oskaloosa Kid drew a revolver but did not fire, instead he seized Mr.Paynter by the coat and whirled him around and then he struck him an awful blow behind the ear with the butt of the weapon.
"After that the other two men seemed quite sobered.
They discussed what would be the best thing to do and at last decided to throw Mr.Paynter's body out of the machine, for it was quite evident that he was dead.First they rifled his pockets, and joked as they did it, one of them saying that they weren't getting as much as they had planned on; but that a little was better than noth-ing.They took his watch, jewelry, and a large roll of bills.We passed around the east side of Oakdale and came back into the Toledo road.A little way out of town they turned the machine around and ran back for about half a mile; then they turned about a second time.Idon't know why they did this.They threw the body out while the machine was moving rapidly; but I was so frightened that I can't say whether it was before or after they turned about the second time.
"In front of the old Squibbs place they shot at me and threw me out; but the bullet missed me.I have not seen them since and do not know where they went.I am ready and willing to aid in their conviction; but, please Mr.Prim, won't you keep me from being sent back to Payson or to jail.I have done nothing criminal and Iwon't run away."
"How about the robbery of Miss Prim's room and the murder of Old Man Baggs?" asked Burton."Did they pull both of those off before they killed Paynter or af-ter?"
"They had nothing to do with either unless they did them after they threw me out of the car, which must have been long after midnight," replied the girl.
"And the rest of the gang, those that were arrested with you," continued the detective, "how about them?
All angels, I suppose."
"There was only Bridge and the boy they called The Oskaloosa Kid, though he isn't the same one that mur-dered poor Mr.Paynter, and the Gypsy girl, Giova, that were with me.The others were tramps who came into the old mill and attacked us while we were asleep.
I don't know who they were.The girl could have had nothing to do with any of the crimes.We came upon her this morning burying her father in the woods back of the Squibbs' place.The man died of epilepsy last night.Bridge and the boy were taking refuge from the storm at the Squibbs place when I was thrown from the car.They heard the shot and came to my rescue.Iam sure they had nothing to do with--with--" she hesi-tated.
"Tell the truth," commanded Burton."It will go hard with you if you don't.What made you hesitate? You know something about those two--now out with it.""The boy robbed Mr.Prim's home--I saw some of the money and jewelry--but Bridge was not with him.
They just happened to meet by accident during the storm and came to the Squibbs place together.They were kind to me, and I hate to tell anything that would get the boy in trouble.That is the reason I hesitated.
He seemed such a nice boy! It is hard to believe that he is a criminal, and Bridge was always so considerate.
He looks like a tramp; but he talks and acts like a gentle-man."
The telephone bell rang briskly, and a moment later the butler stepped into the room to say that Mr.Burton was wanted on the wire.He returned to the living room in two or three minutes.
"That clears up some of it," he said as be entered.