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160 would be enough of an ass to write so openly and sign my name to it if I were plotting murder?"

"It isn't so much what I think as what a jury would decide after the District Attorney had got through explaining it to them," responded Odell. "You know Hutchins's reputation, don't you, Mr. Drew? They say he can get a conviction on less evidence than anyone else who has ever been in office. It may be that the note together with a few other little things which we have against you are not sufficient to send you to the chair, but they are strong enough evidence to indict you and put you on trial."

"You can't do that!" Drew cried hoarsely, gripping the back of his chair as he stood behind it until it creaked a warning. "This talk of a conviction is all rot, and you know it; but I might as well go to the chair as through the notoriety and indignity of arrest on such a hideous charge! It would be a frame-up! You can't do it, Odell, you sha'n't! You'll never leave this room alive to put it over on me!"

"Steady there, Drew," the detective advised coolly, for the other's voice had risen and his features were working convulsively. "Don't take your hand off your number; the chief has the note, remember; and if I don't show up he will act on it at once. Moreover, two of my men accompanied me here, and one saw me enter this room. The other is waiting outside for me to rejoin him; if I do not do so within a certain specified time he has his instructions as to how to proceed."

A measure of self-control had returned to Drew and he laughed shortly.

I'm not a murderer nor even a potential one, as you