The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-06-27
garding the three OF US with an
amused smile

for blackmail. or why Mr. Coran
should spring upon my back and roll
me over, / cannot imagine"
This is much as l expected"
snarled his accuser. "Effrontery and
impudence are ever the associates OF
crime. Inspector. you will oblige me
by producing the handouts"
II should like word in private, Mr..
Coran."
They walked of together, leaving
me alone with Mr.. Thomas Appleton.
who offered a cigarette.
HAS there been an epidemic OF
lunacy in the neighborhood? he in
quired politely.
NO." l said, laughing in spite OF
myself. But how, In heavens name,
do you explain your visit to the sum-
mer house at this hour OF the night?"
Il am afraid l must decline to an
swer you," he said. and quietly turned
the subject.
Coran returned, with face OF vim
dictive indecision. Under his veil OF
austerity there had smouldered dan
gerous temper, which was close upon
bursting into flame. But, after all, he
had excuse enough Heaven alone
knew what banked ambition, what
treacherous insults he had come to
associate with this young man. The
same passions actuate humanity,
whether they view the world from one
end of the telescope or the other.
81 have decided to waive your ar
rest for the present." he growled-
1T would certainly create a great
scandal in Brendon," said Appleton.
firmly.
"You count on that, do>you?" cried
the elder man. "You think you have
a hold upon me, that l am afraid of
you. Take care, sir, take care.
"You choose to be mysterious. Mr..
Coran. / have no hold on you. But
should think twice if l were you be-
fore arresting an innocent man."
Innocent! What we're you doing
here?"
"That Is my business"
CUIdu CuIucu away, WAAhSAhS ~
hands together in his odd manner
when greatly excited.
GO" he snarled over his shoulder.
go, before l strangle you"
AS I dropped off to sleep half an
hour later l was still wondering why
Peace had refused a bed, remaining
for the night in the garden. Could
he expect more visits to the summer
house? Why had young Appleton
come sneaking up at so late an nour
if he were not guilty? The problem
that had seemed SO simple was chang
ed into a maze of strange complica-
lions. was too sleepy to trace them
further.
| was awakened by touch on my
shoulder. 1t was Coran who stood
by my bedside.
1--WE breakfast in half an hour" he
said uneasily.
'I will be punctual."
Forgive my importantly. Mr.. Phil
lips; but promise me that you Will
be careful before Miss Rebecca. She
is so very acute. never knew
woman with keener instinct for
scandal. And, as father, l cannot
forget the future of my poor girls.
If she knew the truth she would not
leave them a penny; also, her heart
is affected"
81 am sorry to hear It,
THANK you. 1t is very necessary
that you should be discreet"
He stalked out of the room and left
me wondering at him with an amused
cynicism.
started for London with my host
by the 9:05. To avoid suspicion,
Peace accompanied rs to the station;
but there he left US. He had, be SAID,
work to do in the town.
Coran was cheerful with the limited
cheerfulness that nature allowed him.
Doubtless he felt that he had his en-
envy in his power He was very talk
alive concerning the final address
which he was advertised to deliver
that evening at eight o'clock. 1t was
to be the completion, the coping
stone TO Ills CduIpoi5hs e1AO !" %~S va
culated to ensure his election next
day expressed regret that l
should not be privileged to hear it.
l lunched at my club, and, shortly
after three, returned to my rooms.
There. in my easiest chair, reading
an evening paper. who should l dis
cover but Inspector Peace.
Hello" I said Il didn't expect
Won back SO soon.''
ssThis is a very comfortable chair
of yours, Mr.. Phillips" he smiled. 81
was glad of rest"
"And how goes Brendon?'
so well that ! am going to take
you down there by the 4:10 train"
l tried to draw his discoveries out
of him. but he would tell me nothing
Something was going to happen which
might interest me If came along
that was the beginning and end of his
news. 1t was suffi cient to make me
promise to join him, however, as he
very well knew.
CHRONICLES TO BE CONTINUED)
Z ~ xr N5