Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1917-04-05
CHAPTER XIII.


did not need him. but X. WAS anxious
TO find Joe; 80 he telephoned the gus
office and got day Of.
For the present, at least Ms re-
vealed identity was safe. Hospitals
keep their secrets well. And II is
doubtful II the Street would have
Leen greatly concerned even had II
known. Ii had never heard OF Ed
wardes. of the Edwardes clinic, or the
Edwardes operation. Its medical
knowledge comprised the two Wilson's
ana the Osteopath around the corner.
When, as would happen soon, II learned
Of Max Wilson's injury, II would be
more concerned with his chances OF
recovery than with the manner Of II.
That was us II should be.
But Joe's affair with Sidney had
been the talk of the neighborhood. II
the boy disappeared. u scandal would
be inevitable. Twenty people had
seen him at Schwitter's and would
know him again.
To save Joe. thea. was rs first
care.
AT Hrst Il seemed rs II the boy had
frustrated him. He had not been home
all night. Christine. waylaying h. in
the little hall, told hin that.
Mrs. Drummond was aere.' she
said. she is almost frantic. She says
Joe has not been home all night. She
says he looks UP TO you, and she
thought II you could md him aud
would talk to him"
"Joe was with me last night. We
had supper at the White Springs ho-
rel. Tell Mrs. Drur1nond he was in
good spirits, and that she's not to
worry. | feel sure she will hear from
him today. Something went wrong
with his car, perhaps, after he left
me-"
! He hathed and shaved hurriedly,
Katie brought his cofree to his room,
and he drank II standing. As he went
down the Street, he saw Mrs. Nc
Kee in her doorway, with little knot
Of people around her. The Street
was getting the nights news.
He rented q car al a local garage,
md drove himself out into the coun-
try. He was not minded TO have any
eyes on him that day. He went TO
Schwltter's first. Schwitter himself
was not in sight. Bill, the bartender,
was scrubbing the porch, and q farnl-
hand was gathering bottles from the
grass into box. The dead lanterns
swung in the morning dir, and from
hack ON the hill came the staccato
sounds Of a reaping machine.
where's Schwltter?"
at the barn" Bill grlnned. He
recognized X, and, hopping dry part
Of the porch, showed chair ON 1t.
''Sit down. Well, hOw's the man whC
got his last night? Dead?"
mo"
County detectives were here bright
and early. After the lady's husband
/ guess we lose our license over this.
''Bill, did you see the man who fired
that shot Inst night?'
A sort Of haze came over Bills face
as If he had dropped curtain before
his eyes. But his reply came prompt
ly: "Surest thing in the world. Close
to him us you are to me. Dark man
about thirty, small mustache-"
bill, you're lying, and l know it
Where is her.
The barkeeper kept his head, but his
color changed.
Il don't know anything about him.
he thrust his mop into the pail. X
rose. The farmland had filed his boa
and disappeared around the corner Of
the house. X. put his hand on Bit
shlrtsleeved arm.
We've got to get him away fron
here, Bill. The county men may CONT
back to search the premises"
How do / know you aren't one 81
tbem?"
II guess you know I'm not. He's
friend Of mine. As a matter Of fact.
followed him here; but was too late
Did he take the revolver away will
hlm7"
81 took 1t from him. It's under tn
bar"
"Get II for me-"
From inside the bar Bill took care
full survey OF lie MOyne. He noted hi
tall figure and shabby suit, the Sigh
stoop, the hair grazing over his ears
Barkeepers know men: that's part o
the Job. After his survey he went he
hind the bar and got the revolver from
under an overturned pail.
X. thrust II into his pocket.
Nov" he said quietly, where b
heT"
"In my room-tOp Of the house"
X. followed Bill up the stairs dow
which he had carried Wilson'S uncon
scious figure. The room under tn
caves was sitting. An ulmade be-
stood In n corner. Joe was sitting II
The corner farthest from the window
When the door swung open, he looke'
up. he showed no Interest on seeinI
K, who had 10 stoop 10 enter the lo'
resa