Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1909-06-24

sorry to disturb him. II he brough
friend back with him." said the de
tectiye, with a fine air Of careless
ness-"as think he did. / fancy, as
a matter OF fact, that saw him walk
ing to the gates Of the Grange with
gentleman"
i But the old man was not to be
pumped.
81 saw no one with the doctor,
sir" he replied.
The detective looked hard at the
speaker; the old mans face was
quite impassive, but his interlocutor
| was by no means convinced. That
| the little racing tout, on whose In
| formation he was acting. was proba-
| bly, an utter rogue he had no doubt,
| but he believed that the man had
spoken the truth in this instance, be-
cause evidently he bore little good
will towards Lathom; the bruise on
his mouth was testimony to that.
Moreover, though the man. when
questioned, had protested ignorance
of 1t. the detective was pretty sure
that he had some knowledge Of the
telegram that had informed the po-
lice of Lathom's whereabouts; and
under these circumstances his tale
had a plausible ring about It.
Inside the house, as they were be-
ing shown by the servant into
morning room, DR.. Brewer appeared
in the hall He stared as IL sur
prised to see these two visitors.
II hardly expected to see you here
again, Mrs. Hume" he remarked,
dryly.
Mr. Hume was spared the necessity
of answering. The detective said:
"You are DR.. Brewer? I wish to
see Mr.. Strangways."
The doctors manner could not have
been more suave or polite.
THAT, am afraid is out of the
question. Mr.. Strangways is in
critical state of health, and as his |
medical adviser I do not feel justified |
in allowing him to be excited by see
ing visitors, especially at so late an |
hour. Perhaps you can explain your
business to me?" he said
The detective was watching him
closely in the dim light of the hall
He remembered having seen this
nan at the theater: he had trained
memory for faces. 1t was curious
hat the doctor should have left the
heater about the time Lathom had
disappeared, if the tout's story were
lot true.
II am an inspector of police" he
'aid, CURLY; 1--WE had information
hat John Lathom, wanted on
barge of murder, was playing at the
ortable theater here under the name
Craig. Some one must have given
hint for the man, for he bolted
.om the place a few minutes before
went round to arrest him; bolted
| his stage clothes. have definite
form ation that he was seen entering |
re gates of these grounds not long
CO."
Nonsense, mani" broke in the doc
". smiling. Il can assure you the
ates are always kept locked; Mr.
is so pestered by unwel-
)me intruders connected with the |
rf that, by his orders, they are kept
Stoned. Is it likely this man would
i've been admitted-a stranger, and
his stage clothes?'
my information is that he was not
one. In other words, DIR. Brewer.
lat you lent him a coat and that
~ admitted him. My informant is
Inside ready to affirm this, and
'uple of the local police are guard
g each gate" he added, with sig
ficant emphasis, ito see that no one
lswering to Lathom's description
ayes this place." Ill
The doctor smiled. 81
Il must congratulate you on your
lergy; only fear your elaborate
'ecautions are wasted labor" he
lid, suavely. 1T is true was at the
entertainment. where l es-
'rted Miss Strangways; / left her
ere, having to return to my patient.
for letting you see Mr.. Strang-
avs to worry him with these ridicu-
us assertions, simply decline"