The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-01-21

ing to explain. He got away as soon
as he could, followed to the threshold
by the angry farmer, who continued to
break the Walls of his wrath over the
lawyers head as long as the latter was
within hearing. After Sharpless had
driven away. Duncan found that an eN-
plosion of anger does not always clear
the mental atmosphere; and at Il time
when he felt the pressing need of a cool
head and deliberate Judgment, he could
do nothing but walk the floor and call
down anathemas upon the head of the
offender Believing no word of Sharp
less story, he yet had vague fear that
something was amiss with Thorndyke.
and he was glad enough when. late IN
the afternoon, Protheroe rode up to
the farmhouse Duncan's first qucs-
ton was of Philip.
81 supposed he was here; he hasn't
been in town for two days. / came by
the hotel and brought these letters,
thinking that he might want them"
A great fear seized upon Duncan.
"Robbie, man, are We sure he didna go
to New York this morn?"
81 don't think he did. They said at
the hotel that he hadn't been in since
day before yesterday, and they'd know
It if he started on a journey this morn
ing Let me see those letters; no. he
hasn't been there; most of these are
postmarked yesterday"
Duncan's fear was dispelled, but a
new one came quickly to take its place,
and he began another battle with his
! invincible caution. Meanwhile Proth-
| eroe improved the silent interval by
| trying to learn from Elsie's face what
she thought or cared about Thorndyke's
disappearance. Much. every way, he
concluded, when Duncan spoke again.
"Robbie, lad, the times come
when I'm in sair need O. good counsel.
Ye Wilma lat yer place MAX we boggle
ever a bit O advice?"
with the town company, you
mean? I discharged myself this morn
| ing; but if hadn't it would make no
| difference where l could be of service
| to YOU"
1.-THE guide Lord be thankit!". eS-
claimed Duncan. fervently; and then he
proceeded to relate in their proper or
| der the incidents in the history of Kill
grows wrong and Thorndyke's quest.
| ending with an account of the attor-
ney's visit to the farmhouse. Protheroe
| listened attentively, and he was ready
with his answer when Duncan finished.
"Sharpless lied" he said. Thorn
dyke wouldn't turn the case over to the
company, nor would he abandon it just
as he had got the whip hand of his op-
ponents. They've spirited him out of
the way SO they can scare Kilgrow into
cheap settlement; and Sharpless came
to you because he didn't know where
to find the old mountaineer."
Protheroe spoke to Duncan, but he
kept his eyes fixed upon the face of the
young girl, who sat eagerly listening.
He was trying another experiment i'll
physiognomy, and the result was not
altogether comforting.
"Ye Gnna think they'd harm the lad,
| do ye?"
81 imagine it would depend upon cir
cumstances. The object would be to
get rid of him until they could treat
| with Kilgrow. You know Thorndyke
better than I do; would he be likely to
go peaceably?"
Duncan shook his head gravely. 'Na.
Tn thinkin' he wouldna do that; he'd
be mair than likely to gle 'em deal O.
| trouble"
The experiment was a cruel one. but
Protheroe continued it unpityingly.