The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-01-29

are on our way to see Culverton; my
sister Is very anxious to hear what
he says about Lathom's chances. I
tell her the charge is SO absurd the
case win never go into court" He
spoke vehenon:!y. almost With the
emphasis Of man who asserts con.
viction that he would like to persuade
himself into feeling.
Mr.. Culverton was the Lathom's So
licitor and an old friend Of the Ruth
ems.
"rll drive you there" cried Thorn.
ton. He helped Hilda into the car.
Her white face distressed him-and
the anguish that he read in her eyes.
"Old Mr.. Lathom has been with him
all the morning. They've retained
the best counsel, I hear, for the de-
fense"
He followed Stephen into the car.
Il nearly ran Bonholt Hume down
half an hour ago-almost wish I had
done!" Freddy remarked, vindictive-
ly, narrowly avoiding an old lady who,
In spite OF his repeated hootings.
seemed bent on making him her &C.
complete In a determined suicide un-
der the car. love. there ought to be
a law forbidding old ladies' stepping
on the curb on any pretext! I'd
prosecute 'em for reckless walking!"
he added. parenthetically. as the
the curb in great fiuster and was
shaking her umbrella excitedly after
the car. What was I saying? Oh.
about Bonholt Hume-what does he
mean by talking everywhere about
I.athom .as he has been doing, and
magnifying his row with the dead
man. as though he wanted suspicion
to fall on him? I know I'd sooner sus-
pect Bonholt Hume Of 1t than would
Jack: he at least had something to
gain by Philip Humes death-and a
good deal to gain too! Here's Gull
verton's. II may. I'd like to go up
with you"
Mr.. Culverton, a ay.whiskered So
licitor OF n rather old-fashioned coun-
try type, took a view of the case that
was less reassuring than Stephen had
predicted.
'Of course. we are going to do our
best and fight to the last ditch; but
we'll. can talk freely to you. It's
no good blinking our eyes to facts;
the evidence Is very strong" and
he shook his head pessimistically.
There was that unfortunate alterca.
ton at the club. advertising the bitter
feeling existing between the two men.
Then on the next night they again
came to blows on the highway not far
, from Hume's house. the obvious in
ference being that Lathom had gone
there to resume the quarrel. which
will tell against Kim. Upon the scene
mounted constable and another man
come. In time to hear Lathom shout
'Shooting's too good for a liar and
slanderer like you!' and to see Hume
, strike blow, not with his hand, blu,
with aystick-"
! The coward" whispered Hilda
passionately. as II to herself. but ev
; cry man in the room caught the low
/. , tense words.
I 1t was heavy blow, that made
, Lathom reel: recovering himself, hs
sprang at Hume. only the blow never
Eel. tie mounted constable partee
+ them. He SAYS Lathom was blint
e with rase-which is not to be won
q derei: a sticks not fair fishting-a.
/ he went away. When he'd gone few
;. PAGES he turned and looked again a
/ Hume. and said. I've not done will
S You yet. you curt And that was tn,
/ last seen of Hume. The police infer
enee Is that Lathom, goaded by tn
y profoS alton. talked of returning tn,
h blow he had received, had followe,
Hume"
% Its monstrously untrue. broke |,
t, Hilda. Fer eyes were passionatel
aliRht.
a OF course, my dear young lady.
r. don't Ter moment think he did IL.
a Sid the solicitor. But you see tn
d difenlty the police are confronte
e witt-that of motive for this crime
;. Hume seemed to have no enemies e,
Il cept Lathom: Lathom, for some res
son. he has been trying to injure b
4. spreading malicious reports. The NJ
lice know that-know that Lathor
II had found II out. That In itself n,
5 cues enmity between the two men
q the two alterations argue it-an
ii Lathom's threats. Their theory
II that the act was committed In a 4
e. OF blind passion under provocation-
4 But the revolver from which tn
~ shot must have been fred" broke /
!. Thornton. suddenly. How da the n.
lice"
m The fatal points Is that a revolye
!. Is known to have been in Lathom
n possession that night" said the s,
"a iicitor. That is the point the polio
!. make SO much Of"
He counted out twenty shillipgs O