The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-08-20


shadoWaiy rooln. his aims hoi< ~ h ,va
tight to him. whilst their hisp MIN
lips found tho old words TINT q = %
4 sweet g loyers; then sthey walked 70.
gether u the door f tho room $Whsre
the others were: 1Iilda passed into
the lighted room, and outside La&hom
shut the door softly. 1
Il told you. rector" Thornton was
saying, as Hilda entered, that; i had
discovered the identity Of that man
who asked at the club for Philip Hume
under another name: that heswas q
racing tout. whom the police hadn't
been able to trace. From what La
Thorn tells me, it was this same man
who wired anonymously to the police
from Lendal about Jack. This is q
valuable clue, and we've got to ind
that man. He may know something,
otherwise, why didn't he come for.
ward at the time? He must have
known from the papers that he was
being inquired for. / shall 60 over
myself to Lendal tomorrow
He turned to Margaret Strangways.
"By the way, Miss Strangways, La
Thorn is rather concerned about you
about the long Journey before you at
SO late an hour"-he glanced at the
clock; he seemed to be watching the
minute-hand rather intently all the
time he spoke that your kindness to
him has let YOU in for
Miss Strangways laughed.
"Oh, that Is nothing. Though I
think we ought to be making a start
soon, as l have to drive Mr.. Lathom
round to Westham on my way
NO." said Thornton, quickly; he
was still watching the clock; "as q
matter of fact, Miss Strangways, La
Thorn and have another plan. He is
awfully grateful to you, but at the
last moment he and have decided
on an alternative plan; and under
these circumstances you may prefer
to return by train, in which case
would drive your car over for you in
the morning."
Miss Strangways looked surprised.
Hilda cried quickly:
"Do you say Jack is not going to
Westham tonight in Miss Strangways'
car? You and he were only together
few minutes; you must have decided
on your plans very quickly" She was
puzzled, but Thornton did not speak.
"Then since it is getting late, won't
you stay for the night with us, and
send telegram home, Miss Strang-
ways?" she added.
"That would be a still better plan
than going by train," said Thornton,
quickly.
But about Mr.. Lathom-"
"You must ask him about the new
plan when you see him." responded
Freddy, systematically.
The blind man, who had fingered
listening to what Freddy was saying.
rose to go; he had already said good
bye to Lathom in the other room.
Il am glad you spoke, Mr.. Ruthen,"
he said, in low voice, as he walked
to the door with Stephen; and there
was a warmth in his hand-grip, as
the two men parted, that there had
not been for weeks.
Stephen stood looking after him
thoughtfully, as the other tapped his
way down the garden path. Thank
God, he had found the courage to
make his confession! It was like a
load off his mind that Lathom knew
the worst of him; and Lathom's gen.
crosby had touched him beyond tell
ing Tomorrow he would seek out
Anthony Strangways and compel him
to give Olives address; no time must
be lost in acquainting the police with
what he knew about the revolver-and
about it's owner; it was stronger
clue than Lathom suspected. The
rector was just closing the door. with
these thoughts in his mind, when the
voice of the blind organfst reached
him from the gate.
"Parson-one minute! There's
something l forgot to say to YOU"
Mr.. Grale had turned and was com.
ing back up the path. Stephen went
forward to meet him.
"Just remembered in time, parson
to save me another journey to the
rectory!" said the older man, in q
louder voice than he usually used;
and it suddenly struck Stephen-why
he coud scarcely have said-that the
words were intended to reach Other
ears than his own.
Then as he came up to the rector
the blind man whispered. in low
troubled voice:
"Parson, there are men out in tn.
road watching the gate-close by tn.
| gate; I heard them, and I've com,
back to warn you. The police-Tn
afraid it's the police that have tracke,
young Jack Lathom here!"
Stephen stood appalled, by this whis
per of sudden unlooked-for danger
Men watching the gate 1t must be tn,
police!
Don't lose a moment; 80 in an,
warn young Lathom! Every minute
precious!"
Stephen turned to obey. He wen