Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-19

ment-as one will who is confronted sud
denly by the unexpected. was prepared.
and l think that Milbrath was. for al
most any kind of q reception except the
one we were receiving. Quiet courtesy.
Mr.. McClure's usual manner. had been
outside our anticipation. But there we
were. seating ourselves at his request in
Mr.. McClures study. and there was Mil
brath. fumbling a little nervously. per-
haps. at his watch fob and saying. hest
tatingly:
I'VE haven't meant to intrude upon you.
Granddad Mcclure, but Dolly's bit un
nerved by your evident trouble and her
seeming inability to help you. Now. II
we could do what she cannot-one or
both of us-perhaps we could relieve
things all around
Mr.. Mcclure had paced tn width of
the room and back during Milbrath's lit
tie speech. He paused abruptly and laid
his hand on the young mans shoulder.
Thank you. my boy. thank you he
said. and his voice trembled. IF there
were anything that mortal could do next
to my little Dolly I should trust you, and
our good friend here, with it. 1t is use
aye. in dire distress: but 1t was matter
IN which no human counsel would avail.
one which I must settle according to my
Highland alone" He sank into chair
and covered his face with his long. shriv-
tied it at last. believe he added, pres
entity. His hands dropped to the arms
Of the chair. and he heaved q great sigh.
as il Of relief.
Then. II you will permit the sugges-
ton. sir. I think that you should see
Dolly for a moment to ease her mind.
and afterward get to bed at once. You
appear to be worn OUT
A shadow Of the mans winsome smile
played about Mr.. McClure's features for
an instant.
THAT l will do" he answered. you
may send the little one to me as you 60
down, and directly afterward 1 will go
to my room. Please believe that I am
grateful to both Of you for coming to
my assistance"
He held out hand to each Of us. cor
daily. but clearly in dismissal. and
saw slipping from me all opportunity to
learn whether Richard La Cour were
and. perhaps, whether Richard La Cour
were, indeed, Philander Summerfield.
I believed that / understood Mr.. Nc
Clure well enough to know that q nights
rest would only add strength to the reso-
luton he seemed to have made to con-
fde in no one. and II his trouble con-
cerned La Cour and would ascertain the
fact. I must learn 1t that evening. If the
name were unfamiliar to him no harm
would come. surely, from my mention Of
1t.
Mr.. Mcclure" ventured. 'bracing my
self to the occasion. IT regret to trouo.e
you with the subject this evening, but 1t
seems imperative. The crime. or acct
dent. at the cottage today appears now
to have added another complication to
the matter that brought me to Winton,
and which I know that you are as inter-
ested as any one to see cleared up. It
may save Mr.. Milbrath and me q great
deal Of detailed work IL you will tell us
whether you have ever known q man
named Richard La Cour?"
The expression Of dread which sprang
into Mr.. McClure's eyes at my first words
gave way to one of cold reserve. as II he
vow Of silence which he had imposed
upon himself, and. at last. to undisguised
relief.
He shook his head promptly.
Il have never before heard the name."
he answered.
Il believe that he is also known as
'Philander Summerfield,'" continued
Nor do l know that name-'Philander
Symmetrical Curious!''
The expression Of dread was again in
Mr.. McClure's eyes, and he suddenly
steadied himself against the back Of a
chair.
He has been an occasional visitor at
the Arms cottage this summer. He was
sponsible for or innocent Of the death OF
Arms. for joe Horsford's sake he must
be apprehended and made to tell what he
knows about it. I believe, moreover, that
when we do get him we shall have the
man who knows why and how Mr.. Som
hers died"
Mr.. McClure's thin body swayed slight.
ly and his averted face was CHASTITY.
needed no more to assure me that my
words had touched the open wound in the
mans breast.
My mind revolted against further prob
ing. but. with fierce determination, cast
sentiment aside.
III these names are strange to you.
then. of course. we must continue our in
vestigatfons without your assistance. I'M
less. indeed Summerfield has still a
third cognomen by which he is known to
you. I will conf1de to you that for some
time we entertained q theory that this
man might be brother Of Peter Som
hers-Francis Somhers. who is supposed
velopments appear to disprove that n.y.
pothesis; but, Of course, our new evidence
may prove to be false, and Summerfield
may really be related to Mr. Somhers. In
that case. and especially IL he be another
Cain. our discovery will avail little, l
fear. as Milbrath will remain In the pres
ent shadow in preference to exposing his
relative"
Mr.. Mcclure raised his eyes to Mil
brath in a glance Of quick inquiry. He
appeared about to speak, and then to
think about 1t and remain silent.
II do not know the name La Cour' or
that of Symmetrical he said. after q
moment, and with intense WEAKNESS. II
do not see that I can help you, though
free again. my poor Harry, my boy!'
He dropped into a chair and buried his
face in his folded arms upon a table.
And thus We left him for Dolly to COM
fort.
(To be continued tomorrow.)