The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-05-23

for the expedition. Indeed, both men
were so eager for it, though each for a
different reason, that Philip almost
forgot the caution that was necessary
in his own case. He would have
started off in broad daylight that very
hour to track down the man of whom
he was in search had not Cripps point
ed out to him the madness of such a
course.
you see, my dear Chatter" he said,
you'll get me into trouble as well as
yourself; it's a dangerous thing to be
running about the country with no
torious criminal beg that you will
excuse the expression; but you real
ly are bit notorious, you know-and
! have no wish to appear in the dock
for anything beyond my own private
sins-and they are heavy enough,
heaven knows. So that, il might sug-
gest, think ii would be wiser for us
to smuggle you to London in some way
or other, that is IL you are really re-
solved on going"
'Of course am resolved" cried
cried Philip, eagerly; nothing shall
turn me back. Grips, | won't believe
you are so bad as men have painted
you or made you--or as you have made
yourself There's heart In you some
where, and all the brandy in the world
hasn't washed it out of you"
Thank YOU" said Cripps, in low
voice, and hung his head.
Let me tell you this: that | love
this girl with all my heart and soul.
She is in danger. and know that Ogle-
don will not hesitate to add another
crime to his last. The question is
for you are right about the necessity
for smuggling mellow am to get TO
London?"
They decided to consult Betty Siggs
forthwith: and, although that lady was
at first very chary of holding any COM
munication with Grips, she cheerfully
accepted Philips assurance that the
little man was to be trusted, and set
about devising a plan to help them.
Taking Toby into her confidence also,
she brought him up TO the room where
Philip and Grips were waiting, and
they put the case before him.
Toby Siggs thought about it for
long time; turned it over this way and
that, but could make nothing Of it.
Betty, after, all, settled the difficulty
in her own dliCk fashion.
She happened to be standing near
the window, looking down into the
yard at the back of the inn, when she
suddenly clapped her hands and
laughed aloud. "'E Ere you are," she
evclaimed-"the Tary thing
Philip ran to her side and looked
down into the yard. heavy wagon,
laden with hay, had drawn into the
yard, and the carter was at that mo-
ment climbing down, ready to enter
the house.
"See, dear lad" whispered Betty,
"the man is a stranger, and 'alf
sov'rin will be fortune to i'm, an
ell ask no questions. You amt above
roughing 1t, an you an the other man
can creep in under the tarpaulin and
get to town without no one bein any
the wiser. It'll be slow but it'll be
better than bein' caught 'arf-way an
'aving yer journey for nothin', won't
it,"
The plan seemed an excellent one,
and Betty went downstairs at once 20
arrange It. The carter, being an easy
fellow, earning small wages, was de-
lighted at the prospect OF gathering in
ten shillings with so little trouble, and
in half an hour Grips and Philip Cha
ter were lying snugly on top of the
sweetsmelling hay under the tar
paulin, travelling slowly but surely on
the road TO London,
Cripps was very valiant-in whis
person the road, processing his abil-
ity to run Ogledon to earth and openly
charge him with the murder of Dandy
Chatter Repentance was strong upon
him for time. and he was ready to
perform impossible feats by way OF
reparation for past misdeeds. In par
ticular he was anxious about the bank
notes which had been handed to Philip
at The Three Watermen.
For, of course. know by this time,
Mr.. Chatter, that they were handed to
you," he said, "and not to the man
who Is dead. Let me warn you, for
your own sake. not to deal In them;
that they stopped. and keenly watched
for already"
The warning comes too late" re.
piled Philip. with groan. Il dealt in
them almost at once. I had to cover
up a well. call 1t a mistake ON
the part of my late brother. and paid
away the notes as hush money"
ITO whom did you pay it,"
ITO a money-lender-a man bearing
the distinctive name of Isaacson," re-
piled Philip.
THAT sounds bad" said the little
man. "He would be sure to find out
about the notes before any one. Have
you heard nothing from him?"
"How should I? have not been to
Chatter Hall since that time. Heaven
knows how many letters may be wait
Ing for me--or for Dandy Chatter AT
all events It's no use Worrying about