The Washington times., 1911-07-25
'HARLES WILLING BEALE

| ulSS yOu VIC buell. 41O" Nv 49,
it?"
Marvellous! But you're keeping me in
the dark!'
He went to the door again and tried
1t. 1t was locked securely.
It's that inquisitive housemaid that
l have to guard against" he said. mo
one else will trouble us here. Now,
| listenT'
Gwynne lighted a cigar very slowly
and deliberately, having first offered one
| to me, but / was too excited to smoke.
| He blew a couple of rings into the air.
| watched their gradual dissolution, then
| fixed his eyes upon mine;
ber. a thief, and everything else! ne
| began. well, it can't be helped; put
| maybe they'll think differently by ana
Naturally, they don't think the MEM
| Der from New York has been oVercscru-
pulous in handling the clubs 1unos;
You couldn't expect anything eIse Inu
-well-being an American. I've peeI
particularly. cut up about It myseh; o,, =
should like to ask you, what did you
do with the money!? -. ,
Spent 1.-THE last penny Of t-out L
didn't mean toEat Least, east. iH not feel enn' it,?
Couldn't help it-but they've Just
honored me. I've been appointed to
look you up in Assam
l told him the story, anu eHptaso Sp.e
my hesitation in accepting. Gwyhne
whistled refiectively, and drew his long
fingers through his mat of curly halr.
AS l looked up al him 1 thought MS
face just a trife darker-perhaps
shade more sallOw than when l saw MIN
last. Certainly his cheekbones were as
high, the eyes as deep sunk, and the
nose as prominent. There was no
change, save what wind and sun might
"I'r glad you didn't accent that lob
of hunting up my bones, old man. I've
got something else for you TO do-more
profitable for both OF u.s.
He paused and glanced down at the
wig. II and the cloak were still upon
the floor. where he had thrown them
For a minute neither of US spoke; then,
oppressed by the thought of my friend 5
crime-a crime which he himself had
acknowledged Il muttered something
about my disappointment in him as a
man, and my horror of his evil ways.
"Bosh! Don't shoot your gun TIL
you're sure of the enemy! You d nave
to call me Pete for short.'if you'd
been where / was. Yes, you'd have ia
ken the pile il u was twice as big. But
don't be worried-the Ganders won't be
back to them, ten to ONE!
l stared. and asked him TO explain.
Certainly, if you will keep that vir-
tuous mouth of yours closed for nan q
minute and give me chance. AS
ago, when l started out, it was with the
full intention of fulfilling my duty. to
the club and going to Assam: ! didn't
report because 1 couldn't-and-
why couldn't your
will you waltz"
\..The records of the P. and o. Steam
ship Company will show that engaged
and paid for my passage to Calcutta at
axnPctpl TO do so, Dut
the passenger list-made out just before
sailing-will reveal the fact that l was
not on board when the ship left port
That this was an accident cal De cas-
ilv proved. That l intended u go, but
that I failed through no fault OF mine,
is the fact / want you and the other
Ganders to understand"
Why didn't you explain this be-
fore?"
Couldn't. I've been away for three :
years. and couldn't get back. Can't |
you get that through your skull?'
But you re back now"
Yes, I'm back now, but I'm not go
ing to stay back. mind; and you're go-
Ing with me when | so. 1t ls-what l
wanted to see you about"
He tipped the ash from his cigar, and |
blew another cloud of smoke at the |
ceiling
'Gwynne, you may be all right" re-
turned. but you haven't explained any |
thing yet. Why didn't you come at once |
to the club and straighten this out |
when you landed?"
Again I must call attention to your
superior virtue and moral courage. APP |
pearanCes we're against me. What did |
know about English law, except that !
it generally got its man. ! did the
natural thing-I sent for you!
well, what do you want me to do?
ITO go with me to the uttermost ends |
Of the earth. in disguise. and at mo-
ment's notice"
But I'm booked for Assam. to find |
Gwynee Roedler," laughed.
Cancel the engagement-ycu must
cancel itv'
And go with your
Yes"
But l haven't the means"
Gwynne slapped his pocket.
I've enough for both"
Then why don't you pay the club?'
For the clubs good-and mine. too,"
ne added, after a minute. But don't |
let that worry you; the cluo shall be |
paid-every penny due. and with in |
.ereSt."
Ife looked as il there were lots more |
he wouldn't tell. l had always be- |
ieved in Gwynne, despite his somewhat |
erratic ways, and wondered IL he would |
ever be able to explain this episode sat |
sfactonly to the Ganders. Ills present |
was as inexplcable as his |
allure to account for the money. In the
nan had a valid excuse for mis- conduct, |
why had he not offered It? i was pug |
Zled-I was panied, for We had once |
been friends.
A Continuation of This Story VIII BE |
Found in TOmOrrow's
Issue of The Times.