The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-02

sorry to disturb him, II he brought
friend back with him." said the de.
tective. with Q fine air Of careless.
ness-"as think he did. / fancy. as
matter Of fact, that / saw him walk.
ing to the gates Of the Grange with
gentleman"
But the old man was not to BE-
pumped.
4 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 professed ignorance
Of II, 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 1t.
Inside. the house. as they were be.
ing shown by the servant into a
morning room, DIR. Brewer appeared
in the hail. He stared as II sur
prised to see these two visitors.
Il 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 a
critical state of health. and as his
medical adviser / 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
man at the theater: he had trained
for faces. II was curious |
that the doctor should have left the
about the time Lathom had |
II the tout's story were !,
not true.
Il am an inspector Of police" he
said, CURLY; I'VE had Information
that John Lathom. wanted on q
charge Of murder. was playing at the
portable theater here under the name
of Craig. Some one must have given
a hint for the man, for he bolted
rom the place a few minutes before
went round to arrest him; bolted
n his stage clothes. l have DEFINITE
that he was seen entering
he gates Of these grounds net long
lgo."
Nonsense, mani" broke In the doc.
or, smiling. Il can assure you the
gates are always kept locked; Mr..
strangways is SO pestered by unwel.
come intruders connected with the
I'LL tuuts Wy OTucI6, tHCy kepl 1
astened. Is 1t likely this man would
lave been admitted-a stranger, and
n his stage clothes?"
my information is that he was not
lone. In other words, DR.. Brewer
hat you lent him a coat and that
ou admitted him. My informant Is
outside ready to affirm this. and a
ouple Of the local police are guard.
ng each gate" he added, with sig.
ificant emphasis, ito see that no one
to Lathom's description
caves this place."
The doctor smiled.
Il must congratulate you on your
nergy: only ! fear your elaborate
recautions are wasted labor" he
aid, suavely. ut is true was at the
heatrical entertainment. where es.
orted Miss Strangways: / left her
here. having to return to my patient.
8 for letting you see Mr.. Strang.
'ays to worry him with these ridicu.
'us assertions. simply decline"