The Columbus journal., 1911-05-17
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What were you doing with that
wheelbarrow?"
Poritol kept his frightened eyes on
Orme's face. but he said nothing.
well. I will explain II. You fol-
lowed the car when It started for Ar
radale. You waited here. found q
wheelbarrow. and tried to wreck US.
It is further evidence Of your comic
equipment that you should use .
wheelbarrow."
Poritol got to his feet You are
mistaken. dear Mr.. Orme. ~"
Orme smiled grimly. STOP" he
said. Don't explain. Now l want
you to stay right here in this field for
q half hour. Don't bulge. II catch
you outside. III take you to the near
est jail"
Poritol drew himself up. "As an
attache I am exempt" he said. with
q pitiful attempt at dignity.
)u are not exempt from the con-
get on your knees"
Whimpering. Poritol kneeled.
"Stay in that position"
"Oh, sir-oh. my very dear sir. T."
stay there!" Numbered Orme.
Poritol was still. but his lips moved.
and his interlaced fingers worked con-
vulsively.
As Orme walked away. he stopped
now and then to look back. Poritol
did not move. and Orme long carried
the picture of that kneeling figure.
Who was it," asked Bessie Wal
bingham. as he climbed back over tho
fence.
"A puppy with sharp teeth" he re-
piled. thinking Of what the girl had
said. I'VE might as well forget him"
She studied him in silence, then
pointed to the chauffeur. who was
down at the side Of the car.
Anything damaged?" Orme Quer.
led.
Yes. SIR"
"Much?"
1.-TWO hours work. sir"
"Pshaw!" Orme shut his teeth down
hard: Poritol, had he known 1t, might
have felt thankful that he was not
near at hand. He turned to Bessie.
How much farther Is it,
The chauffeur answered. About
three miles. sir"
Three miles over dark country roads
and 1t was nearly II o'clock. He
glanced ahead. In the distance q
light twinkled.
Bessie" he said, come with me to
that farmhouse. We must 60 on. Or.
il you prefer to wait here"
I'll 60 with you, of course"
They walked along the road to the
farm gate. A cur yelped at their feet
as they approached the house. and an
old man. coatless and slippered. opened
the door. holding an oil lamp high
above his head. Down. Rover! What
do you want?" he shouted.
We've got to have a rig to take US
to Winnetka," said Orne. Our car
broke down."
The old man reflected. Cant do
it," he said. at last. "An shet up fer
the night. Can't leave the missus
alone"
A head rro!ruded from dark upper
window. Yes. you can. Simeon"
growled woman's cultural voice.
WALL don't know"
"Yes. you can" She turned to
Orme. He'll take ye fer five dollars
cash. Ye can pay me-"
Orme turned to Bessie. Have you
any money!" he whispered.
Heavens! l left my hand bag in
my locker at the clubhouse. How stu
pid,"
Never mind" Orme saw that he
must lose the marked bill after all.
Regretfully he took it from his pocket.
The woman had disappeared from the
window. and now she came to the
door and stood behind Ter husband.
Wrapped in an old blanket. she made
a gaunt figure. not unlike squaw. AS
Orme walked up the two or three
steps. she stretched her hand over her
husbands shoulder and snatched the
bill. examining 1t closely by the lamp
light.
What's this writin' on it," she de-
manded. fiercely.
"Oh. that's just somebody's joke. 1t
doesn't hurt anything"
well. don't know" She looked at
1t doubtfully. then crumpled 1t tight
in her fist Il guess it'll pass. Git
a move on you. Simeon"
The old man departed. grumblirg.
to the barn. and the woman drew back
into the house. shutting the door care
fully. Orme and Bessie heard the
bolts click as she shot them home.
"Hospitable," exclaimed Bessie.
seating herself on the doorstep.
After a wait that seemed interim
nable. the old man came driving around
the house. To a ramshackle buggy
he had hitched a decrepit horse. They
wedged in as best they could. the old
man between them. and at shutting
amble the nag proceeded through the
gate and turned eastward.
In the course of go minu,es they
crossed railroad tracks AID entered
the shady streets OF the village. Bessie
directing the old man where to drive.
Presently they came to the entrance
OF what appeared to be an extensive
estate. Back among the trees gl!n,-
mered the lights OF house. Turn
in" said Bessie.
4 thought struck Orme. II Poritol.
why not the Japanese? Maku and his
friends might easily have got back 10
this place And If the minister had
been able t. telephone to his allies