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Joe Swenson's Story






 

" When did I—I don't know what you mean, " Joe Swenson stammered.

The keen glance of his questioner did not waver.

" You know well enough what I mean. It won't do you any good to try to lie out of it. You were seen near the Raybolt estate on the day of the fire."

" Who says I was there? " Swenson demanded. " You're trying to hang this on me because you can't find the real criminal."

His shot went home, for the officer flushed angrily.

" You were seen by the station agent, " he informed him tersely, " and as soon as he identifies you we'll have you behind bars. Now out with your story! It will go easier with you if you make a complete confession."

" There's nothing to confess, " Swenson returned bitterly. " I did go to the Raybolt estate –"

" Ah! " his questioner cried triumphantly. " Then yon admit it! "

" I've admitted nothing damaging! " Swenson retorted hotly. " I went to the Raybolt house because I had an appointment with Felix Raybolt."

Nancy could tell that he intended to make a clean breast of everything; and while admiring his honesty she realized that he was apt to make his case appear worse than ever. She longed to warn him to remain silent until he could consult a lawyer. The triumphant expressions of the three officials assured her that they thought their prisoner was " breaking."

Bess and George sat quietly, temporarily relieved that the officers had not tried to get any information from them.

" So you had an appointment with Raybolt, eh? " the questioner demanded. " Why did you go to the house to see him? "

" He had a patent of mine and I wanted him to make a settlement."

" Raybolt owed you money? "

" Yes, he stole my invention. I wanted either the money or my drawings back."

" What did Raybolt say? "

" He refused. Said I could go to court if I wanted damages. He knew I didn't have money enough to fight him."

" I see, " the questioner observed with satisfaction. " Before you left, you had an argument, didn't you? "

" Well, –"

" Answer yes or no! "

" Yes, " Swenson admitted unwillingly, " we did have hot words."

" Which ended in a fight, " the officer supplied.

Joe Swenson shook his head vehemently.

" No, we didn't fight. I swear it! "

" Then what did happen? "

" I'll tell you everything—from the very beginning. When I reached the house Raybolt wasn't there. The servants were all gone so I sat on the porch steps waiting for him. After a time he came up the walk–"

" He drove up in his car? " an officer interrupted.

" I didn't see any car. He must have walked from the station."

The officer nodded thoughtfully. This agreed with what the station agent had related. He had mentioned seeing Raybolt start toward his home, and a little later had observed Swenson running toward the woods.

" Go on with your story, " the officer ordered.

" Well, Raybolt came up the walk and we started to talk. He seemed uneasy, as though he were afraid I'd attempt physical violence–Old Felix had a guilty conscience all right! "

" You argued about the invention? "

" Yes, he admitted he had deliberately stolen my ideas, but he defied me to prove anything. That made me angry."

" You threatened him? "

" I don't remember. Perhaps I did, but I didn't mean anything I might have said. Anyway, my bluster frightened Raybolt and he told me to come into the house with him where we could talk privately."

" All this time you were standing in the yard? "

" On the porch." Swenson's voice became tense as he pictured the scene. " Raybolt was chewing at a big, black cigar—it wasn't lighted. As he opened the front door, he touched a match. There was an explosion which nearly knocked me off my feet? I was sort of dazed for a minute or two–"

" You mean to say Raybolt started that fire himself? " the officer demanded incredulously. " Your story sounds ridiculous."

" It's true—every word of it. I think the explosion must have been caused from leaking gas. I got a strong whiff of it when Raybolt opened the door."

" What happened next? "

" I didn't know what I was doing for a minute or two. Then it came over me that if I were found near the place I might be accused of a plot against Raybolt's life. I knew he would testify to that in order to be rid of my demands for justice. I decided to make a get-away before anyone came. I jumped the hedge and lost myself in the forest."

" You didn't see what became of Raybolt? "

" I'm not sure, " Swenson admitted. " I thought I saw himstagger out of the house, but the impression wasn't very clear. I was dazed, I tell you. When I came to myself the house was such an inferno I couldn't have entered."

" You're sure you didn't leave Raybolt inside on purpose? "

" A thousand times, no! " Swenson cried indignantly. " I hated that man, I'll admit, but I didn't plot his death, and I would have risked my life to have saved his. I tell you I think he staggered out of the house immediately after the explosion. I'm not sure, though, for I wasn't myself."

" Why didn't you tell your story right away? "

" I was afraid it would be misinterpreted. I had no idea Raybolt was missing."

The three officials took turns questioning Swenson. They quizzed him about details and time but were unable to confuse him.

Nancy was certain that Swenson had told the truth, yet she had to acknowledge that the story sounded somewhat implausible. The fact remained that Felix Raybolt was missing and that Joe Swenson was the last person to see him alive.

The man's straightforward story had impressed the officials, and Nancy thought they were on the verge of letting him go. Felix Raybolt had been generally disliked, and it was common knowledge that he had made his fortune by adopting the ideas of various inventors.

The three officers held a whispered conference and then fell to questioning Nancy and her chums. The girls kept their heads clear and did not get muddled in telling their story. Nancy put in a good word for Swenson at every opportunity that came along, and it was apparent that she was creating a favorable impression.

The unpleasant session was drawing to a close with every prospect of vindication for Joe Swenson, when there came a knock at the door.

An officer entered, addressing himself to his superior.

" Mrs. Raybolt is here now. Shall I send her in? "

As an affirmative answer was given, Nancy cast her chums a despairing glance. She sensed that Mrs. Raybolt would create a scene and do all in her power to damage Swenson's case.

Her premonition was correct. Mrs. Raybolt's very appearance aroused the sympathy of the officials. She had worried herself into a state bordering on nervous collapse and the sight of Joe Swenson made her hysterical.

" Can you identify him? " she was asked.

Mrs. Raybolt stopped sobbing long enough to take her first good look at the prisoner. Nancy, who was watching her closely, saw doubt and uncertainty flash over her face. She had never seen the man before in her life! Nancy was convinced of it.

Mrs. Raybolt hesitated only an instant and then cried hysterically:

" Yes, I'm sure this is the man my husband went to meet—Felix feared him. He is a heartless criminal who deliberately burned my home and plotted the death of my husband! "

Mrs. Raybolt burst into tears again and an officer led her from the room. However, the damage had been done. If the officials had ever seriously considered freeing Swenson, the decision was instantly changed.

" You girls are free to go, " Nancy and her friends were informed. " If we need you again, we'll send you a summons."

" What about Mr. Swenson? " Nancy inquired hopefully.

" We'll have to lock him up. Sorry if he's a friend of yours. His story may be fair enough but he'll have to prove it."

There was nothing more to be said. Before Joe Swenson was led away he thanked Nancy for her interest in his case.

" You're the only real friend I have, " he said unhappily. " I told them the truth but they'll never believe me."

" If you only had a witness! " Nancy murmured. " Someone who saw you talking with Raybolt in the yard and who watched him open the door."

" No one was around, " Swenson returned gloomily. " The place was deserted.''

" Don't give up hope, " Nancy said encouragingly. " I'll find a lawyer for you. And I'll bring your wife and Honey to see you, too."

The conversation was abruptly cut short as an officer took the prisoner by the arm and led him away. Nancy and her chums were permitted to depart.

In the outside room they found Mrs. Raybolt, who had dropped down on a bench, and was sobbing. Nancy, provoked that she had testified against Joe Swenson, started to pass her without a word. Then pity surmounted indignation and she paused to speak a few words of sympathy.

" Don't grieve about your husband, " she pleaded. " We will find him yet–I feel confident of it."

Mrs. Raybolt wiped her eyes and smiled gratefully.

" It's good of you to give me hope. If I could only believe it! "

" You have every reason to, " Nancy told her. " Your husband's body hasn't been found. It isn't logical to believe that he lost his life in the fire, for according to Mr. Swenson's story the explosion occurred when your husband was standing in the doorway."

Leaving Mrs. Raybolt somewhat heartened, the girls hurried out to the roadster.

" What a relief to get away! " George exclaimed. " I feel as though I had gone through the eye of a needle! By the way, Nancy, did you really mean everything you said to Mrs. Raybolt? "

" Yes, I did, " Nancy responded. " Until today I wasn't sure what I thought about anything. Now I am convinced that Joe Swenson is innocent. I likewise firmly believe that Felix Raybolt did not lose his life in that fire."

" Then what became of him? " Bess demanded wonderingly.

" That's what I'd like to know, " Nancy answered grimly. " If we can only find him, Swenson will be cleared! That means, our work is cut out for us! "

 


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