The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-01-29
CHAPTER x.-(continued).

The inspector laughed. No one ever
took Freddy Thornton seriously. Even
the magistrates, before whom he was
repeatedly being hailed on the charge
of driving recklessly to the common
danger, found it difficult to look into
those child-like blue orbs and believe
that their owner could have been
guilty of the heinous enormities al
legged by the constable with the stop
watch. Freddy of the blue eyes in
variably got Off with nominal fine
and an indulgent reproof that was
more like benediction, where the Or
binary motorist would at the least
have had his license endorsed and
had to sell his car to pay the fine-or
so Freddy's friends said. All that
morning Freddy had been dashing eX-
citedly about the town in his car,
championing Lathom. to every &C.
quaintance he met, and jeopardizing
the lives of a half dozen harmless
foot misrepresentation, if it did not
serve Lathcm's cause in any appre-
ciable way, seemed to afford an outlet
Tor his explosive indignation.
IF we've made mistake, Mr..
Thornton, we're always ready to take
4 hint" smiled the officer, unrufled
by the criticism. I'VE can't all be so
clever as you gentlemen amateurs,
you know! And who might the guilty
rarty be?"
We'll, have you thought of looking
for that stranger who was asking for
Philip Hume at the club the night be-
fore the murder? But perhaps you
haven't even heard of him?" said
Freddy, scathingly. "He looked like
a wrong 'un, if ever I've seen one, and
he was mighty keen to get Hume's adj
dress. l should find that man as
start Inspector
"You saw him, then, Mr.. Thorn
TONI" asked the officer, still serene
under Freddy's whitening fire.
Rather! Horse-looking chap
didn't like the cut of him. It was
after the row in the club between
Hume and Lathom-not that it was
much of row. l only wish Hume
had shown himself as sporting as
Lathom-Id have helped to clear
ring! Not Hume; he preferred fight
ing with his tongue heard what he
said, and don't wonder Lathom went
for him. was sorry the two were
separated; I'd have let 'em fight it
out in good old English style, and be
banged to the club furniture! Be-
tween you and me, inspector, I be-
lieve Hume was glad when other
members interfered. He left the club
at once in his motor. Two minutes
later chap came and asked the
steward for Mr.. Carr's' address.
Wien told there was no one of that
name known there, he swore he'd
seen a man he knew as Carr just
drive away in a motor-Hume right
enough! He described Hume down to
the marks of Lathom's fist on his face.
He was told it was against the rules
of the club to give the addresses of
it's members; the chap said quite
airily that he could find out elsewhere.
From the way he spoke he wasn't
over keen on Hume. You take my tip
and find him"
The inspector nodded smilingly and
passed on. He had tolerant indu1-
eence for the omniscient amateur; he
encountered the species so often in
the course Of his duties. He did not
think it worth while to acquaint Mr..
Freddy Thornton with the fact that
the police had already set inquiries
afcot respecting this stranger seen at
the club three weeks ago.
Freddy had not driven twenty
yards before he pulled up his car with
a jerk
did you ever hear of anything so
Tbs olutely scandalous?" he jerked out,
enid the grinding of brakes.
He had made the same remark a
dozen times at least in the last hour
This time it was to Hilda Ruthen and
her brother. AS he jumped out and
shook hands, he noticed how white
and full of trouble Hi!da's face was
He knew what old friends she and
Jack were.
Never fear, Miss Ruthen," he add
ed, quickly; ut will all come right
that's the only consoling though
about the whole miserable business
Of course, one knew that the polio,
were too stupid to arrest the RICH
man-that fact alone would be proc
Of Jacks innocence! If you ask me
about all the police are good for is sci
ting traps for motorists and hatchin
trouble for 'em with their cheap an
, imaginative German stop watches!"
. "The charge is ridiculous; it Wi
J be dropped-it must be dropped!
Ssaid Stephen Ruthen. There was
set look about his face, and Thornto
thought his eyes looked queer, Nv
are on our way to see Culverton; m
: sister is very anxious to hear whs
: he says about Lathom's chances.
|, tell her the charge is so absurd til
D case will never go into court" H
. spoke vehemently. almost with Il
emphasis Of q man who asserts. q co
viction that he would like to persuat
!, | ha....,S s~x~ I~SN..