The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-09-14
CHAPTER VIII.

dered man was held IN due course, anu
K suited the police authorities to keep
their own counsel. Mr. Joseph Taylor
was not publicly supposed to be under
restraint when he failed to identify the
remains. The error of Mr.. George Johns
as to the mans personality was shown
to be due to the fact that the fugitive
had adopted the name of the elder Jeth-
roe No awkward questions were opened,
and the jury were satisfied that the de-
ceased was an absconding swindler. A
verdict of "willful murder" against some
person or persons unknown was return
ed, and there the public interest in the
case came TO an end. The Inspector had
arranged to make himself aware of Mr..
Taylor's every movement, but it was not
his cue TO say so, and he was almost
apologize when he parted with that gen.
tleman.
People don't like being mixed up with
these unpleasant affairs, know" said
the inspector. That's common expe-
Renee We see 1t every day, | can as
sure YOU But then, what a greenhorn's
trick it is to run away! You see, now.
if our inquiries hadn't enabled Us 20 &C
count for all your time since you've been
here, you might have drawn suspicion
on yourself, Mr.. Taylor, and have got
into no end of trouble. Good-by. sir"
So Mr.. Taylor departed, and thought
himself well out of a very dangerous po-
sition, and the police Swallowed him night
and day. Believing that he had no fur
Their reason for evasion, he stayed on;
and as any unoccupied man might do, he
made casual acquaintance, wEo came
and went He made one acquaintance OF
rather more than the casual sort in the
person of simple country gentleman
who came from Indiana. This gentle
man had recently inherited what he de-
scribed as ''tidyish bit of MUMMY" and.
being strange 10 the city. was very CRATE
full to a man of the world, like Mr.. Tay-
Tor. for being kind enough TO shepherd
him. He was not over-free with any
portion of the "tidyish bit" but he paid
his share, and he treated Mr.. Taylor
with great respect, and had the highest
opinion of his knowledge of men ard af-
fairs; so that. in spite of his yokel SIM
plicities, Mr.. Taylor began to think him,
within limited measure, a rather dis
corning sort of fellow They went about
to the theaters in the evenings, frequent
Taylor encountered an acquaintance. as
he sometimes did, the gentleman from
Indiana always made a point of effacing
himself, unless he were actually pressed
to join in the conversation.
II never saw such a retiring chap
said Mr.. Taylor on one occasion You
seem to shrink from people. Why don't
you buck up bit moreT
We'll" said the gentleman from In
diana. who answered to the name of
Fielding, Il like to be sure my COM
pany's wanted before I thrust it upon
anybody"
That's the right spirit. of course"
said Mr.. Taylor, shut you can carry it
to excess"
But Mr.. Fielding was not to be cured
Of his shyness, although it turned out
that when there was need for it he could
show as bold a front as any man. He
and Mr.. Taylor had been close chums for
something more than a fortnight when
this occasion offered itself. The two were
in the promenade at theater, and were
walking from end to end in casual con-
versation, when Taylor suddenly checked
in his speech, and his companion. glanc-
ing at him, saw a look of lowering dis
pleasure and OF something like alarm
upon his face.
"Hillo.' said the gentleman from In
diana What's the mattery'
Nothing" returned Taylor grufHy-
nothing at all"
Come. now, there's something" said
Fielding. Look here, candid's my mot
to. Mr.. Taylor. Have you got the same
idoo bovo
How should / known asked TAYLOR
rather shiftily
We'll, now" pursued Fielding, ''it
seems ONE that I'm a-meeting a GER
tain party once or twice too often"
Il don't know what you mean," said
Taylor
His face was notified, and he looked
about him with furtive keenness.
well, then, I'll tell you," Fielding an
swered. Were both more or less stran
gers here. We're both carryin' a tidyish
bit O. mummy about with Us, an perhap:
we've flashed it about bit too much"
"Ws1Y asked Taylor, with a slight
unsteadiness in voice and breathing.
WELL" said Fielding, 'I'll bet ten tc
one that chaps sharp. I'll deal with
him. He hasn't been watching us two
for week for nothing. Leave him t.
me, now"
mo, no" cried Taylor, don't make
a row in public place like this. Your,
quite right, dare say lin fact, I'm sur,
you're right. But forewarned's fore
armed, you know. We can take care o.
ourselves"
I'm goin' to take care Of 'im," sale
Fielding; come along"
He made an imperative little sign t,
Taylor to follow, but that gentleman pre-
feTred to stray behind him slowly and t,
watch his companion as ne walked swag
geringly toward the door. There tn
man from Indiana reached out a walkin,
stick and tapped a has at arms length
from him with much more vigor tina,
politeness- The wearer of the hat turne,
With a face os wrath and Amusement
which fell in second to ludicrous con
sternation-
Il want you said Fielding. Soon
this way" He took the man by TIL
arm and led him INTERESTINGLY towar,
Taylor. Dye know this gentleman !?
he asked
The man said "No" He looked crest
fallen and ashamed. BE said mo" agai
when he was bullyingly asked if he kne,
Fielding.
"Ye'Il know Us both in future" sal
the man from Indiana. '.And 1 sha
know you. III mark yor too. If cate
you sneaking after me c gain Hook i
novi Hook II: your gaLIe's over" Tn