Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-11
JOHN ERLEIGF4, SCF1OOLMASTER
A GRIPPING STORY OF LOVE- MYSTERY AND KIDNAPPING
B3 CLAVER MORRIS o Broaon. Solicitor"

like that-he couldn't possibly escape; be-
sides, he will come back of his own free
will-he hasn't any money"
She flung herself into a chair and hid
her face in her hands. For nearly min
ute Erleigh did not speak. Then he said:
"of course, I've frightened you, Anne;
my face frightened you-but I've been up
all night-I look ghastly wreck"
He smiled as II to reassure her.
HE has not run away" she sobbed;
at Is not true" Then she suddenly sprang
to her feet and faced him. Tell me the
truth" she said hercely. "Tell me the
truth-let me know the worst"
The door opened and Lord Arthur
Meriet entered the room
Now, then, Anne. old giri,' he said
cheerfully. you mustn't go all to pieces
over this-the young rascal. WE'LL Erleigh
will give him fine hiding when we fetch
him back"
She came quickly forward and caught
| hold of his arm.
"Arthur-you have news-good news-
for PHYS sake"
I've no news at ALL old girl" he said,
| putting his arms around her shoulders
and kissing her; but We'll have him
back in jiffy, the young rascal, to
have given us the slip for so long. A
chip of the old block, eh? Don't you re-
| member George gave 'em the slip at
! Eton; very nearly expelled but he had
rare thrashing Now, look here, Anne;
you've not got to worry until there's any
cause to. To look at Erlegh's face one'd
think there'd been death in the family.
But he's not used to sitting up all night
like l am-nights on end I've been up
in Africa, afraid to go to Sleep"
SO he chartered on, and by the time
he left with Erleigh half an hour later
Lady Wimberley began to think that
nothing 80 very terrible had happened
| after all. Even John ErleIgh was smiling
as he parted from her with the promise
that he would return again at lunch time
and tell her the latest news. 1t was
not until he was alone in the car with
Lord Arthur that he seemed to collapse.
There was a hopeless look in his eyes
as ne leaned back on the cushions.
why did you-come after me?" he
muttered thickly.
Because 1 was a fool to let you go
at all. Great Scott! I could see you'd
nearly given the show away. And he
Sides you're wanted down at Harptree."
"Anything-fresh7"
Yes, they've found letter from Guy
In one of his school books. It's ad
dressed to you, but the inspector opened
II. It's not very nice letter. He saws
he's sick OF the school, OF you, and that
he's going to clear out"
Sick Of the school2" Erleigh repeated.
"A forgery OF course"
very likely in fact. almost certainly.
but it'll do to show Anne, I thInF "a
nave brought 1t up, but thought il best
Tor you to have look at IT, You know
the boys writing better than / do. and
l think you'd better see It and decide
whether 1t will pass the scrutiny of a
motheTs eyes They're dragging the
| river. That's why 1 wouldn't let Anne
come down TO Harptree."
dragging the riverP She will haar .,
it?' VIII near Oh
They're giving out that they're drag
ging for the body of tramp that dis
appeared two days ago."
She's bound to learn the truth-yerv
soon. Don't you think we'd better tell
her everything7"
Certainly not. Now look here, Err
leigh, you've got to pull yourself To-
gether. The battle is not lost yet"
When they reached the schoolhouse
LORD arthur found the boys letter and
gave 1t to Hrieigh. 1t was short ana 10
the point
My dear chief.-Im about sick Of this
rotten school. and after what you ssid
TO me the other day / think ia better
clear on. You wont miss me and shan,t
miss you. Tell the mater not 10 worry.
1 shan't come to any harm, and = II tuTsn
up at Monksilver later on.-Yours.
''WIAIBERLHY"
Erleish smiled grimly mot the sort
OF letter the boy would have written
he said.
He hasn't got himself into trouble. /
suppose" said Lord Arthur
"only over that shooting affair. or
course, that may have thrown him on
his balance, But I'm pretty sure the let
ter Il a forgery"
"Yes-pretty strongly"
You did speak 70 him about the
pistolq'
..frba writing ana n.r.r soh..t -.
ehg'
Yes. but any one can buy It At Lin
cocks Ia the town. It's ike the boys
writing-very Ike ~"
Well. Wen leave that for 5 moment.
Ineres somothinE want g aes q yoa