Cad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist Part 18

"It is your brother you wish to save?"

"Yes."

"And he is a.s.sociated with this gang of criminals?"

"Yes."

"He has revealed everything to you?"

 

"He has."

"And you wish to betray these men?"

"I do."

"Why?"

"In order to save my brother."

"You have no other motive?"

"I have no other motive."

"But you told me there might be a large reward for me."

"I did."

"What did you mean?"

"The government has offered a large reward for the arrest and conviction of these men."

"How did you learn the fact?"

"My brother told me."

"Tell me more about yourself."

"I may, on one condition."

"What is the condition?"

"Can I hope?"

"Hope in what manner?"

"That you will agree to save my brother, and--" The woman stopped short.

"Proceed, miss, you have another proviso."

"I have."

"State it."

"Can I hope that you will save my brother under any circ.u.mstances, and share the reward with me? for without my aid you cannot earn it. I should be ent.i.tled to at least one-half of the reward."

"Miss, if through any information you give me I earn the reward I will share with you."

"And my brother?"

"I may be led to recognize that I can promise to spare your brother on the ground that criminals are sometimes promised immunity upon turning state's evidence."

"My brother is not a criminal," answered the beautiful young lady in an earnest tone.

"He is not a criminal?"

"No."

"But you have admitted that he is a member of this dangerous gang."

"He is, but he is not a criminal."

"How will you demonstrate that?"

"In a moment of desperation, while actually insane, he was seduced to become a member of the gang, but he is an honorable young man. Were it not for his trouble he never would have dreamed of converting his wonderful skill to the services of these bad men."

"He is skillful."

"He is."

"In what direction?"

"Alas! I must have your answer before I tell you."

"And I must know about you and your brother before I give the answer."

"Can I hope?"

"Yes."

"You will entertain the proposition to save him and divide with me?"

"Yes, I will entertain the proposition, but I will not promise until I know more."

"Under any circ.u.mstances you will not use the information against my brother if I only partially explain to you?"

"I can make no promises."

"I must have some guarantee."