The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-03-26
CHAPTER xvI.-fCon.inu.d.)

No photograph had accompanied the |
description &. make his Identification
ca.-. moreover. he was not dressed
in the way described in the newspa-
por report. He was wearing gray
Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers,
with an artists knapsack slung over
his shoulders. his appearance sug-
costing a painter out on a sketching
tour.
Unless by his own manner he ex-
cited suspicion. he was comparatively
safe. so long as his portrait remained
out of the papers. This Lathom re-
allied. and how necessary 1t was, IL
not always quite easy. that he should
show a careless, unconcerned frost.
The police would be looking out for a
man In the blue serge suit which the
prisoner had worn at the magistrates
inquiry: Lathom had Freddy Thorn
ton to thank. not only that he had
got cut of the neighborhood Of Fells-
garth safely. but also that he had OBJ
tanned change of clothes. Freddy's
energy and resource had been mex
After passing out of the rectory In
the guise OF the blind organist Lathom
had made his way to the cross roads
near the house now occupied by Bon
holt Hume. tapping his way with his
stick, never once dropping the role he
was playing. feeling that invisible
eyes might be on the watch. He had
waited by the lonely Stone Cross.
whose shadow had once fallen like a
pointing finger at a dead man lying
in the drifted white OF the roadway.
until Thornton had picked him up in
his car.
Thornton did not let the grass grow
under his feet. After leaving the rec,
tory he dashed off to the house Of an
acquaintance. a man OF about La
ttom's height and build, to borrow
some clothes: he was slowing away
In the motor car change OF attire
for Lathom almost before the Devil
dered man had time to inquire why
he wanted them. Freddy drove of
like the wind. without vouchsafins
any explanation. lie picked up La
thom at the appointed rendezvous
and had then taken him at breaknecl
speed miles across country to tn,
house OF an old servant OF the Thorn
tons. who was devoted to Freddy an,
could be implicitly trusted. Their,
Lathom had passed the night.
And here he was at 12 o'clock oil
this bright spring morning. with tn,
world before him, hunted man fcI
whom all the police in the countr,
would be on the lookout.
His plans were as yet indefinite. II,
had left the house where he had slep
with the vague Idea OF walking to tn,
nearest town and taking train to Liv
crpool-of trying to get out of tn,
country. He had no lack OF funds
He was revolving his plans when h,
came upon the two actors.
Can you tell us which road W,
take for Dalebrook?" Joe Grissor
had gone up to Lathom as he an
preached. "Some time ago a rusti,
informed US that We were to keel
straight on through Westham, but hi
forgot TO tell us that finger posts II
this locality seem to be put up fol
the purpose OF practical jakes on trav
e,ers!" And he waved a hand at the
obliterated lettering on the post.
II was In a house on the outskirt.
Of Westham that Lathom had spen
the night. and he was able to direc
them.
But Dalebrook's twenty mile
away or MORE" he added.
Yes. it's a bit OF a step" 10,
agreed, cheerfully. Still, walking
a grand exercise: nothing like 1t 70
giving one an appetite. Although. 70
that matter" he added. soto voce
what I more particularly want 1
something to take away mine."
And he looked ruefully at the slim
9 auagmire near the finger post wher
0 the shilling with which Monty ha
). tossed Heads or tails" had made II
' abrupt exit from circulation. reducin
9 their capital to threepence-h alf-penn,
8 Folks talk about actors being
a lazy lot, lying In bed till midday
a added Joe. turning to proceed on hi
d journey. well. l don't mine tellin
> you. sir. that my friend and l hay
e covered ten miles. rs ever Is. th
morning. by way Of a constitutions
r you know. Fact. You wouldn't thin
p it. would you. seeing US as fresh Z
a raint? Up with the dawn. give yo
; my word. Think nothing of II. KeeI
q enc fit and all that Other men
q my position might have hired a m
o tor car to cover the thirty miles b
tween Slaton and Dalebrook. But N
a Harley Street mans always urgir
me to take exercise. So my frien
q end | determined to foot it. And, f;
said before. I've got an appetite q
, ready. Well. we mustn't keep 20
a sir. Come along. Monty. my boy"
During Joe's airy remarks Monty
face remained as gloomy as eve
That joe could be cheerful under Il
distressing circumstances was inc