The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-02-21


he expect more visits to the summer
house? Why had young Appleton
come sneaking up at SO late an hour
IL he were not guilty? The problem
that had seemed so simple was chang
ed into a maze of strange complica
tions. was too sleepy to trace them
further.
was awakened by a touch on my
shoulder. 1t was Coran who stood
by my bedside.
"We breakfast in half an hour" he
said uneasily.
II 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. I never knew a
woman with a keener instinct for
scandal. And, as father, cannot
forget the future of my poor girls.
If she knew the truth she would not
leave them penny; also. her heart
Is affected"
81 am sorry to hear it."
THANK you. It. 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 sos. To avoid suspicion,
Peace accompanied us to the station
but there he left us. He had, he said,
work to do in the town.
Coran was cheerful with the limited
cheerfulness that nature allowed him.
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 his campaign, and was CAL
culated to ensure his election next
day. 1 expressed regret that I
should not be privileged to hear it.
lunched at my club. and, shortly
after three, returned to my rooms.
There. in my easiest chair, reading
an evening paper. who should dis
cover but Inspector Peace.
"Hello," / said. II didn't expect
you back so soon."
"This Is a very comfortable chair
Of yours, Mr.. Phillips" he smiled. Il
was glad of a rest"
"And how goes Brendon?"
$50 we'll that I am going to take
you down there by the 4:10 train"
tried to draw his discoveries out
Of him, but he would tell me nothing.
Something was going to happen which
might interest me II l came along
that was the beginning and end of his
news. 1t was sufficient to make me
promise to join him. however. as he
very we'll knew.
The local was just steaming into
the station when a fat, red-faced man
came painting out OF the booking-of-
flee. Peace gave my arm a squeeze
as he passed.
"That Is Horledge, the chief sup
porter Of Coran's opponent in tomor-
rows election" he whispered.
$50 you have been making some
new friends since saw you last?"
"One or two" he said, stepping in
to a carriage.
When we arrived at Brendon, the
inspector led me off to an inn in the
center of the town. 1t was a pleasant,
old-fashioned place, with black raft
ers peering through the plaster of the
ceiling and oak panelling high on the
walls. The modern Brendon had
wrapped it about, but 1t had not
changed for three centuries. You
may find many such ancient inns
about London, which watch the march
of the red brick suburbs with a dig
nified surprise, until one day the build.
er steps In, and the old coach and
horses or white hart comes tumbling
down, and a cheap chop and tea house
reigns in it's stead. We dined early.
At half-past seven, by the grandfath-
er's clock in the corner, Peace rose.
"Mr. Coran's meeting does not be-
gin until eight; but want to be there
early-come along"
The platform was empty when we
arrived, but a score OF people were
already on the front benches. We did
not join them, seating ourselves near
the door. Brendon, or the graver
part Of II, moved by us in tiny