The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-05-20


unpleasantly: why need she be posing
before him. as II that FIRST disappear.
ance had had any real fright in ~
or course she didn't know yet (al.
though Aunt Rebecca might have told
her-she ought to have told her and
stopped this unnecessary dcccit) that
he was on TO tho game: but--he didn't
like g. Unconsclously. his inward
criticism made his tone drler rs he re-
piled with a little bow that he i'm.
agined Archie was quite safe. now.
and he would ask 90 be excused. as he
had TO attend 20 something before
dinner.
Was Il his fancy that her face
changed and her eyes looked wistful7
IL must have been. lie walked sufiy
away. Hardly had he entered his
room and turned his mind on the
changed situation before the telephone
apprised him that a gentleman. Mr.
Gardiner. who represented the Fire
less Cook Stove. said that he had an
appointment with Col. Winter 10 ex.
plain the stove; should he be sent up =?
Directly. Endicott Tracy entered
smiling. Where's the kids | know
he's back" were his first words: and
he explained that he had been hunting
the kidnapers to no purpose. Except
that | learned enough 10 know they
put up job with the justice. all right:
got next TO that game without any
Machiavellian cxertions. But they got
| L. A ~ =
gang"
Atkins" said the colonel. concisely
Tracy whistled and apologized. ITS
blow" he confessed. That little
wretch He has brains TO burn and
not an ounce OF conscience. You
know he has been housing round at
the hotels after Keatcham's mail"
"He didn't get it,"
NO. Carey had covered that point
Cary has thought this all out very
carefully. but Atkins has got on TO
the fact that Cary was here In this
hotel with Keateham. But he doesn';
know where we come in: whether
Keatcham's gang is Just lying low for
some game OF its own. or whether
we've got him. At least. don't be-
lieve he knows"
You ought not To be talking so free
ly with me: I haven't promised you
anything. you know" warned the colo
mel.
But you've got your nephew back
all right: we have been on the square
with you: why should you butt In I
know you won't"
Il don't seem TO have a fair call
to-" observed the colonel.
And | think the old boy Is going
TO give in: he has made signals OF dis
tress. 10 my thinking. Wanted his
mail: and wanted 10 write: and In
formed Cary--he saw him for the first
time to-day-that he had bigger things
on deck than the Midland; and wanted
TO get at them. We're going TO win
out all right
unless Atkins gets at him tonight"
the colonel suggested. you oughtn't
to have come here. Gardiner Don't
go home. now. Walt until later. and
let me rig you up in another lot OF
toys and give you my own motor car.
Better"
Tracy was more than impressed by
the proposal. he was plainly grateful.
He entered with enthusiasm into the
soldiers masquerade-Tracy had al
ways had a weaknessfor theatricals and
some of his Hasty Pudding Portraits
OF Unknown People We Know" had
won him fame az Cambridge. Ten
minutes later. there sat opposite the
colonel a fiorid-faced, mustached. west.
ern commercial traveller whose piaided
tweeds being an illadvised venture OF
Haley's which the colonel had taken
on his hands and found no subject OF
charity quite obnoxious enough 10 de.
serve them, naturally did not 1T the
present wearer. but suited his inane
complacence of bearing and might pass
for bad case OF ready made purchase.
Now" said the adviser. I'm notify
Haley 10 have my own hired motor
ready for you and you can slip out and
take II after you've had something to
eat. Here's the restaurant card.
Haley will be there. Leave II at the
drug store on Van Ness street-Haley
will give you the number-and get
home as unobtrusiyely as possible.
You can peel on these toys In the
motor II necessary. You've your own
underneath except your coat. Wrap
that in a newspaper and carry II. /
don't know that Atkins has any one
on guard at the hotel. but think Il
more than likely he suspects some
connection between our party and
Keatcham's. But first. tell me about
Atkins; what do you know about him
It's an American name"
America can take all the glory of
him, fancy" said Tracy. He's been
Keatcham's secretary for six years.
He seems awfully mild and useful and
tlmid. He's not bit timid He's full
OF resource; he's sidled suggestions
into Keatcham's ear and has been
gradually working to make himself
absolutely necessary. | think he aimed
: at a partnership. but Keatcham