The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-08-24
CHAPTER III.-(ContinuedO

line or IteF asked George johns, mold
ing out hand to the inspector, as if to
ask him not to interfere.
He was physician"
"Ohr' said George Johns, "this I'M
lucky gentleman was not physician. By
his own showing, until he made his pile,
he had as tough time of it as any man
| ever heard of. Carried his life in his
hands for years. I know what that
means as well as most men. You've got
to allow for changes"
THAT may be SOL said Jethroe; 81
can't dispute facts. Since you arrived
30 recently, there must be other people
In the city who can identify him."
Everybody aboard will remember
him. He was pretty lively from time to
time. Then. his size made him notice
able. too. You'll have no difficulty in
settling as to who he is"
'Well, gentlemen" said the inspector,
there's nothing more to be done at pres
ent. You'll let me know where l can
ind you. Mr.. Johns, Northern Hotel?
Thank you. You'll both be wanted at
the inquest"
The trio withdrew and left the dead
to its repose, the Inspector turning down
the gas TO the merest glimmer before
be left the room. Jethroe, explaining
that he had q call to make, babe his
companions a curt goodnight, and strobe
homeward. Arrived there, he made some
necessary changes in his attire, and then
set out for the main street He made
up his mind that shadowy figure which
hung a little to the rear on the opposite
side of the road was following him; but
he dismissed that reflection from his
mind and walked on sturdily, revolving
the strange incidents of the night until
he reached the gate of a solid, well-to-
do-looking house which stood back from
the road behind an expanse of lawn and
a semi-circular gravel sweep. As he
thrust open the clanking gate he cast
glance behind him. and saw that the fig
ure in the rear had made q momentaly
pause. y sudden gust of Impotence AMI
Irritation seized him, and he crossed tn,
road.
Hi, your he cried, as the man moved
away. The figure stopped and faced
him. "You are following me-"
II am carrying out my ORDERS" said
the man.
"Oblige me by not making a secret o.,
il so far as / am concerned" Jethroe
raped out angrily. you might be much
more profitably engaged: but that, 1 sup
pose. is neither your affair nor mine''
1--WE got my instructions" said the
man civilly enough; that's all have to
think about"
Jethroe crossed the road again, and.
passing through the gateway and along
the drive, rang the hall bell of the house
''Mr. Jethroe to see Miss Thorne," he
VII
swered to his summons
Il will tell the master, SIR" the maid
answered, IF you viii kindly wait out
side"
Il will wait indoors, if you please, "
said Jethroe, stepping into the hall, and
closing the door behind him.
The maid hesitated timidly.
"Well!" he said. with a vexed laugh.
Take my message to Mr.. Thorne."
The girl retired, and he stood. staring
at the pattern of the parquet floor until
a red-faeed man in very large WELL
filed white waistcoat came suddenly into
the hall, and coughed pompously.
Thorne," said Jethroe.
in my presence" said the red-faced
gentleman, pulling at his white waist
coat with both hands. and wagging a
bald head with an odd kind of bullying
iocosity-"in my presence"
If you insist. sir" said Jethroe.
II do insist" said the red-faced gen.
tleman; Il have always insisted; / al
ways shall insist. You know my opin-
ion already; but, so long as you choose
to come here, l shall take the pleasure
of repeating it. You are an ass, Mr..
Jethroe-a double, treble. quadruple ass.
Here is a fellow" said the red-faced
gentleman, appealing to the umbrella
stand, who has millionaire uncle
1T is of my uncle / wish to speak to
Miss Thorne," Jethroe interrupted.
'Who might" the other went on, with
out needing him, inherit his uncle's for.
tune. and make fit and proper settle
ment IN life, and who chooses to remain
q pauper, and wants to drag my daugh
ter to his level. What are you to say
to a mar like that? What are you tc
make Of himF'
II have very terrible news, sir" said
Jethroe, needing the old gentleman ap
parently as little as the old gentleman
had so far needed him. There is some
reason to believe that my uncle has beer
set upon and killed within the last tive
hours"
The master of the house went sudden
" pale with excitement, and, taking hi,
visitor by the shoulder, pushed him along
the hall and into the drawing room.
Constance" he cried, here's Jethros
with dreadful news"
A charming girl, tall and graceful
rose with clasped hands and frightened
face at this abrupt outburst Jethro,
thought it wisest to tell the truth a
once.
a gentleman has been murdered to
night on the edge of the common, and
a fellow passenger of his from Brazi
has identified him as my uncle Martin.
How terriblew said the girl
Jethroe told the adventures of tn,
night exactly as they had happened.
sYou suspected, Martini cried Con
stance-"you?
sOh,n he responded, that is natura
accident. and means nothing. But tn,
story will be in the newspapers to-mor
row. and l thought it better that yot
should hear it from me-"
Better cried Constance. "Oh.
thousand times better! / should hav,
been mad with anxiety if had TO
known the exact TRUTH
Thorne began to rub his hands, ant
walked the length of the room once o
twice with brisk step.
This may make difference, Jethroe,