The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-25
CHAPTER XXIV.
A Confession.

MT. Taylor. the landlord of Maple ton Inn, showed a pleased surprise when Fleming Stone walked into his hotel and approached his desk. The men never met, but everybody in Mapleton knew that Fleming Stone was in town, and had heard repeated and accurate descriptions of his ap- pearance.
 Perhaps you can spare half an hour for smoke and a chat" said Stone affably, and though MT. Tay- Tor heartily agreed, he did not con- fess that he could easily have spared half day or more had the great de- tective asked it.
 In the landlords private office they sat down for a smoke and soon the conversation, without effort drifted around to the Van Norman affair.
 Unlike detective of fiction, Fleming Stone was by no means secretive OF close mouthed. Indeed he was dis coursive, and MT. Taylor marvelled that such a great man should in dulge in such trivial gossip. They talked of old Richard Van Norman and the earlier days of the Van Nor man family.
 "You've lived here long time, then?" inquired MT. Stone.
 "Yes sir. Boy and man. I've lived here nigh onto sixty years
 "But this fine modern hotel of yours is not as old as that?"
 The landlords face glowed with pride. Right you are,, sir. Some few years ago wife had some money left her, and we built the old place over-pretty near made whole new house out of it.''
 You have many guests?"
 well, not as many as I'd like; but as many as I can expect in little town like this. Mostly transients, of course; drummers and men of that sort. Young Willard stayed here; when the Van Norman house was full of company, but after the trou- ble, he went back there to stay"
 "Affable sort of a man. Willard. isn't he?" observed Stone.
 "Yes he's all that, but he's scape- goat. He used to lead this town a dance when he lived here"
 'tHow long since he lived here?"
 "Oh, he's only been away a matter of three years or that. Bout a year before his uncle died they quarrelled. They both had the devils own terp- per, and they quarrelled before, but this time it was for keeps and so off goes MT. Tom and never turns up again until he comes to Madeleine's wedding.'
 "Was he in any business when he lived here?"
 ''Yes he had 8 good position in a big factory as engineer. He was a good worker Tom was, and not afraid of anything. Always jolly and good natured, except when he'd have one of them fearful fits of temper then he was like a raging lion-no more like tiger; quiet-like, but deep and desperate.''
 Soon after Fleming Stone rose to go. Thank you very much," he said politely, "for your half-hour. And, by the way. have you any cachous !? I find I haven't any with me. and after smoking, you know before go- ing back to the ladies'
 "Yes, yes, know; but I don't hap pen to have any. But wait a min ute, I believe Tripp has some"
 He threw open the door and gave a quick whistle.
 A boy appeared so suddenly that he could not have been far away, and, moreover, his sharp black eyes and alert manner betokened the type or boy who would be apt to be listen ing about.
 His hand was already in his pocket when MT. Taylor said to him 'Tripp didn't I see you have a small bottle of cachous ?-those little silver pei lets, you know"
 "Yes, sir," and Tripp drew forth a half filled bottle.
 That's right. Give them to the gentleman"
 t'Oh, only want a couple" said Fleming Stone. taking the vial which Tripp thrust toward him. Where did you get these my boy?"
 The boy flushed and. looked down twisting his fingers in embarrassment.
 Speak up, Tripp," said the land lord sternly. Answer the gentleman and see that you tell the truth"
 "I ain't going to tell no lie." said Tripp doggedly. "I found this here bottle in the bureau-drawer of num- Der fourteen few days ago."
 "Fourteen? That's the room MT. Willard had." said MT. Taylor reflec- lively.
 "Yes, sir, but he didn't leave them there. They were there before. l seen 'em and I knew that hatched- faced hardware man left 'em; then MT. Willard, he come, but he didn't swipe them, so I did. That ain't no harm, is it?"
 "Not a bit," said Fleming Stone,