The Washington times., 1913-04-22
CHAPTER XVII.-(Continued.)

According to the stenctling on
the inside Of the top, it's
the property of Wellgood's
garage, in Oidborough. found
1t abandoned on the road, and I'm
taking 1t back. Ill give them my own
name. and tell them that they can find
me up to tomorrow morning at the
motel incidentally, L may fiBd out who
hlred the car. Not that l haven't a
pretty good guess already.
Wen stop first at the main entrance
OF the hotel. You can take Barton in
The front door, find out the number of
Jacks rooms from the register, and
take MIN there. Gwendolyn's idea Of
the towel hanging out of the window
was interesting, but perhaps a little
theatrical. And besides, l don't believe
Barton could get in through another
window tonight to save his life. Get
MIN INTO bed and give him some more
brandy. I'll be back from the garage in
ten minutes. Forget that we're house.
ourselves"
jeffrey often gave advice that looked
pretty hard to follow, though the diff
ncult.es In the way of it often van-
ished miraculously when one walked
straight up to them This case was no.
exception. Until met the eye of the
sleepy night clerk in the little Old
borough Hotel. 1 felt as If / had bur
glar' written all over me in letters no
one could fail to read. AS for Barton,
l thought when l got look at him that
he was enough to discredit the respecta-
bility Of Mr.. Carnegie.
But when L walked boldly up to the
register, and the clerk, instead of ring
ing the fire alarm and shouting for the
ponce, had offered to let me register
with & worn pen dipped In gummy ink
my career of crime dropped off me like
a cloak, and 1 was my own man again
] told the clerk 1t would be necessary
to call Mr.. Marshall. and that ! be-
lieved he had engaged an extra room
for my companion and myself He did
look a bit queerly at Barton for a
minute, but he made no trouble about
doing as / asked.
Jack opened the door of the unoccu-
Piled room in answer TO my knock Just
In time to catch Barton as he toppled
and fell in second faint. He recov-
cred consciousness rather quickly after
we had laid him on the bed, but il was
evident that the man was not far from
the end OF his physical resources. We
were debating-Gwendolyn had slipped
on Jacks automobile coat and Joined
the conference-whether It would be
safe to let him go till morning without
sending for doctor. when Jeffrey came
back.
Il was right in my guess as to who
hired the automobile" he said. "It was
Richards. 1 left word that IL he want
ed any explanation of the disappearance
of the car. he could come here. and /
imagine he'll turn up within an hour or
two"
He went over and sat down beside
Barton on the bed. You know who
Richards is, don't you?"
The man nodded indifferently
when Richards comes" Jeffrey went
on, "the affair will be taken out of our
hands. But II you'll tell US the truth
now. we'll be able to help you"
I'm past help" said Barton. 1T
doesn't matter what happens to me-"
1T matters to other people, though"
said Jeffrey. You aren't the only one
who's fallen into Crows clutches"
At the mention of Crows name an
change came over BAR
ton. Spots of bright color appeared in
his cheeks. and he breathed quickly for
a minute, like man who had been run
ming.
You said Crow was a devil" he said,
"and you're right. It's no use trying
to prove anything on him. That's what
tried to do. But 1t was no good. Let
him alone or he'll get you where he got
meme and"
He stopped short. and his eyes
widened as II once more he saw ghost |
ly fsce In front Of him, and his own |
turned the color Of the dingy sheets.
We've got him. Barton" said jeffrey