The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-16
CHAPTER XLIV. The Wrong Man.

moirs. But of course, Phil Calmont, Wal ter Grinding, and the inspector did not give up the search when they found the body of James Kahn. They did not know these things until long afterwards. On the hilltop the inspector got hold Of a small heardboy whom he sent to tht sta- tton master at Dromore with 0 message A hearse was to be wired for, and taken with relays of harses to the rail at Dal- mellington-thence back to Kirktown.
 "They will never believe" he said, unless they see him with the hole in his head and the plumes nodding about htrn!'
 The three went on, having covered the dead man carefully with the thick water proof apron of the wrecked car. They placed a stone at each corner and so left him. Be sure that no one on that Gal- loway moor would have disturbed his rest for all the Romer fortune-even had it been there and untouched.
 So the three continued their search. They could well leave their own car be- hind with their late angry chauffeur They had only a few miles before them ere the wild hill track turned into the great Galloway shore-road, and they saw before them the town of Newton Stewart smoking beneath it's range of heights.
 But Phil made them turn the other way Creetown-the tug waiting between the Isles of Fleet and the mouth of the Cree pointed clearly the road to the end Of their search.
 In front of an inn there was something of a crowd, as crowds go in Galloway. There were two or three women, one man and dozen boys with satchels on their backs.
 There was also the Mercedes car, stand ing on the road, and, half appearing be- meath it, half lost under the big power box in front, were the legs of man. It was almost with a cheer that the inspector-certain capture and a probable great trial before him-rushed forward shouting, we have him-we have him nowl'
 Walter Gridling took one leg of the hidden man. The inspector hauled at the other
 The man backed out eagerly. Apparent ly he did not wish to hide himself. On the contrary they heard voice from under the machinery, which declared an immediate intention of assault and bat tery, as soon as he could get at them:"
 But at this they only dragged the more. The murderer of James Kahn was cer- tainly dangerous man-vigorous. too, in an uncommon degree. The inspector sum- moned all good citizens to assist in the capture on pain of dreadful legal penal ties. This, however, only resulted in the prompt disappearance of the sole adult male Gallovidian, while even the women retreated within their doorchecks, whence they called to their offspring shrilly.
 "Tapmy, come here this minit or I'll talk the hide off of you!'
 ''Peter'-"J "Bob'-Andral" All were summoned, and all with one mind .disobeyed. Such thing did not happen in Creetown every day, and there were cases when maternal wrath might be safely discounted-as when there was something big to talk over with the neighborhood-that is, with the other vo- ciferating mothers. So Peter-Jim-Andra and Bob stayed on.
 The man beneath crawled out back wards, muttering many fine syllabled words in foreign tongue. He was strong, able-boded, and the kicks that he launch ed backwards at his captors, even before he got a sight of them, evidenced the ex- cellent state of his training and general health.
 He came suddenly as cork from a bottle. The next moment the inspector went backwards, nearly taking the heel of a Wellington boot with him, and Wal ter Grinding sat grooming, nursing him. self and speaking at large.
 For, Vic Morris lowered over them both, irate, a solid screw-key in his hand.
 Now, what the thirty-one diablos do you mean by that?" he shouted. For one farthing sterling I would lay this B. what do you mean? Eh, ntand up, man. Explain! I never had any quarrel with you! Phil Calmonti Who Is that win dlestraw with the dog-collars?"
 Submit! In the Name of the Law!" cried tht inspector, advancing with a pair of handcuffs of the most recent descrip- ton, and, though a brave man, wishing that the criminal had not possessed such a powerful muscular development.
 sfSuhuoif indeedf' cried Vic. and with one movement of his hand he sent the shing bands of steel glittering and ser penting over the roofs of the nearest houses. It is true that the houses of Creetown are not very high.
 Inspector Henderson was very angry. as who, indeed, would not be? Vic put his clenched fist down under the detec- tives nose by way of temporary certif- cate of character.
 Tell them Phil, who I ami he said, T have come off a Tharsis copper brig got sick at Bilboa and needed a holiday. The old man put in here under stress. By that time I had had enough of the sea and so got ashore"
 But what of the carr" cried Inspector Henderson, foaming with rage; I've don't want to hear all this rigmarole--!'
 Well, you've got to hear it-you asked for it, you know!' said Vic, with strong common sense
 Ine inspector ITeHUleQ SU IlucT that he could hardly show Vic his little gold badge of office. while Phil explained the quality of each to the other. His words were as oil on the waters.
 "Oh, all right" said Vic, easily; "only don't go hauling an able-bodied man from under a 6O-horsepower Mercedes and then expect him to bless youl Because he won't-you hear me? Besides, he may have something in his hand which vii hurt somebody. I very nearly didY'
 How did you come by this machine?' said Inspector Henderson, "and how dc you prove your identity, and the lengtf of your stay in this country? It is g case of murder!''
 Vic whistled.
 ' "Oh, then, I apologize" he said. "But really, I couldn't stand those handcuffs I don't play with such toys. As for tn, car, a young, darkish man explained tha he was going on to join a ship, whicl had put in at Rascarrel, I think h. said for Heavy Spar. He told me tha this Mercedes was MT. Kahn's, and tha back to Kirktown. Would I undertake it as I had been with the firm? I don know how he knew Well, rather aidl-'There or whereabouts! Why, tn job just suited me- I told him tha l saw she had been over some rougl country-but nothing to hurt. I woul' take her home, and glad of the chance You see l am a working engineer. a either of these gentlemen will tell you Grinding, after he has had a, drink. Well l was repairing the thing when vol came along and began hauling me out There was no trouble before that"
 And the young man-which way di he go?" inquired the Inspector.
 "Oh. any of these good people vii