The evening world., 1916-05-12

making her position still
blacker.
Was this the help. the protection he
had hoped to give her? Must he sub
NIT to dropping all further investiga-
Hons and being shu, UP in prison by
this enemy Of his. whose every look
and word showed his malicious tri-
umph? Gordon was o lawyer with all
a lawyers trained respect for the
law; he knew that resistance could
only humiliate him and make II hard
er for Bertha. but for moment he
was tempted TO defy Quinn, to take
him by the throat and choke him like
q rat.
So much OF this indeed was in his
eyes as they rested on the little de-
tec,ive that the latter moved rather
hastily near the door. Gordon's voice
was calm and controlled, however,
when he spoke.
Il shall be at your service, Mr..
Quinn, as soon as I have put a few
things into any bag. | presume you
have no objections"
"Certainly not" rumbled the detec-
tive. provided YOU don't object either
10 my being present. And IL the
Young lady likes she can put some
things together also. My man out
side will go W. with her."
Gordon could see Bertha shiver. but
she made no protest. Her courage
and strength In this testing moment
were superb and made his heart glow
In ~ n
glance OF encouragement and then
turned again to Quinn
And l shall have to have a word
with my man. am Miss Wetherall's
counsel and ] must give him instruc-
tons about continuing the case"
III he Is here In ten minutes, you
can" observed Quinn dryly. but as
] saw him half-hour ago on the
trolley going over to Green Plains,
l don't imagine he will be back soon.
He IL probably on the trail of our
friend Martha. who had disappeared
quite unaccountably."
He turned away with an open sneer
and going to the door gave some
directions to the man waiting outside.
Gordon inwardly cursed Rollins.
What business had he to go of like
that without reporting to him first /?
And why had Martha disappeared? /?
The whole thing was a mess, and
here he was with his hands almost
literally tied, unable to do anything
toward Strengthening IL out.
He guessed that Quinns motive In
accusing him of completely in the
murder was to do this very thing.
since there was not the slightest
doubt but that he could prove his
Innocence
A-a g. A.. ,,as. l.. ,Lo,,uh. a..
over the worse the matter seemed.
Even the fact of the tramp having
met him and his giving him money
could be twisted into an accuse ton
II well handled. and that Quinn
would Use every bit Of his clever
ness In making out q case against
him. Gordon was uncomfortably
sure.
He ragged inwardly as he felt the
net closing around him. II only he
were free to hunt for the tramp!
He felt surer than ever that he was
the key to the situation.
And where was he?
Bertha had gone upstairs. followed
by the deputy, and Quinn was still
NJ the door, talking to the driver.
They had all moved out as by com
mon consent into the big hall, which
now was cool and dark, except for the
shimmering purple light that spat-
tered across the stairs.
As Gordon stood lost in gloomy and
hopeless thought, little shadow crept
out from behind the big palms Of the
conservatory and twitched cautiously
al the tails OF his coat. He turned
auickly and looked into sharp. wiz
ened little face that, In spite OF its
wears. had a shrewd likeness to old
Jerry. -
III you please, sir" piped little
man's--"can / tell you something?"
"Who are you?" asked Gordon,
lowering his voice. Speak softly"
Tin little Jerry, sir. My father
"idttle Jerry?" Then, as he tool,
in the connection and remembered
the fathers proud promise to set his
smart little shaver on the lookout"
nc added quickly: Have you found
out anything?
'I dunno, sir: but father told me
10 come and tell you all seen to-
day"
ayes. yes" whispered Gordon, "Go
on. tell me; but speak low and keep
out Of sight behind me-
The M'tlc fellow slid back again
into the shadow, and Gordon leaned
carclasslv against the door so as to
hide him.
81 was out with my gun trying TO
ee. some squirrels away over by Hes
sian Holluw--you know where that is
sire"
mo"
"Itr near a mile from here, and it's
III woods and drcadfully lonesome
Therc isn't boy my size that would
20 there alone, but | amt afraid" he
added proudly.
Evidently. thought Gordon, in a
fever of impatencc, the resemblance
between the old and young Jerry
went further than mere looks. He
was afraid that any minute Quinn
might come in. and yet he dared not
hurry the boy too much for fear OF
confusing him,
"r,l hot You're both brave boy and
n clcvcr one, Tell mo what YOU saw
Ius, as fast as You can, will yOu?"
"All right. ! guess, anyway, II you
don't hurry out there soon. he'll be
dead. lie looked awful white, and he
c0Sldn't speak-just Whispered