The Ozark spectator., 1916-08-11

asking loudly, What has become O Speckyf"
 "In bed wi the colic," replied, and the herd passed on.
 Just about midday big car stole down the hill, glided past and drew up hundred yards beyond. It's three oc' cupants descended, as If to stretch their legs, and sauntered toward me.
 Two of the men I had seen before from the window of the Galloway inn, one lean sharp, dark; the other com- fortable and smiling. The third had the look of countryman, vet, per haps, or small farmer. He was dressed in ill cut knickerbockers, and the eye in his head was as bright and wary as hens.
 Morning" said the last That's q fine, easy job O yours"
 had not looked up on their ap- proach. and now when accosted slow. ly and painfully strengthened my back, after the manner of roadmen; spat viz. orously, after the manner of the low Scot. and regarded them steadily be. fore replying. l confronted three pairs of eyes that missed nothing.
 There's waur jobs, and there's bet ter," l said sententiously. "I wad rather hae yours, sittin' a day on your netherlands on thae cushions. It's you and your muckle cawrs that wreck my roads! If we a had GOT richts you sud be made to mend what ye breakw
 The bright eyed man was looking at the newspaper lying beside Turnbulrs bundle.
 II see you get your papers in good time" he said.
 1 glanced at it casually. Aye, in good time. Seein' that that paper came out last Setterday, I'm just flower days late.'
 He picked 1t up, glanced at the su prescription and laid 1t down again my boots, and word in German call ed the speakers attention to them.
 You've fine taste in boots," he said. Those were never made by a country shoemaker
 They were not" said readily They were made in London. I got them frae the gentleman that was here last year for the shoOtin'. What was his name now" And I scratched forgetful head.
 Again the sleek one spoke In Ger man. Let us get on," he said. This fellow is all right"
 They asked one last question:
 Did you see any one pass early this morning? He might be on a bi cycle or he might be on foot"
 very nearly fell into the trap and told a story of bicyclist hurrying past in the gray dawn. But I had the sense to see my danger. pretended to consider very deeply.
 'I wasna up very early" I said. "ye see my dochter was merit last nicht and we keepit 1t up late. l opened the house door about seeven-and there was naebody on the road then. Since cam up here there has been just the baker and the Ruch1ll herd. besides you gentlemen"
 One of them gave me a cigar, which l smelled gingerly and stuck in Turn bulls bundle. They got into their car and were out of sight in three minutes.
 My heart leaped with an enormous relief. but l went on wheeling my stones. It was as we'll. for ten min. utes later the car returned-one of the occupants waving a hand to me. These gentry left nothing to chance
 finished TurnbulPs bread and cheese, and pretty soon I had finished the stones. The next step was whaI puzzled me.
 l could not keep up this road making business for long. A merciful Provi- dence had kept MT. Turnbull indoors. but if he appeared on the scene there would be trouble. l had notion that the cOrdon was still tight round the glen and that if l walked fin any al rection l should meet with questioners
 But get out l must. No mans nerve could stand more than a day of being spied on.
 l stayed at my post till about 8 o'clock. By that time I had resolved 10 go down to Turnbull's cottage at nightfall and take my chance of get ting over the hills in the darkness. But suddenly Il new car came up the road and slowed down to stop short dis tance from me. A fresh wind had ris en. and the occupant wanted to light a cigarette.
 It was a touring car with the ton neau full of an assortment of baggage. One man sat in 1t, and by an amazing chance l knew him. His name was I.auncelot Brown, and he was an of fense to creation. He was sort of blood stockbroker who did his business by toadying to eldest sons and rich young peers and foolish old ladies.
 "Lancie' was a familiar figure, l understood, at balls and polo weeks and country houses. He was an adroit scandalmonger and would crawl mile on his belly to anything that had q title or million. l had business introduction to his firm when l came