The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-05-04
"Poor old Bobby Burnsl" he said.
"We'd raised him from a pup. Got
him In grape basket"
The sick man opened his eyes.
CHAPTER XIII.

Office and got a day off.
For the present, at least, KS re
vealed identity was safe. Hospitals
keep their secrets well. And it is
doubtful If the Street would have
been greatly concerned even had ii
known. 1t had never heard of Ed
| wardes, of the Edwardes clinic, or the
Edwardes operation. Its medical
knowledge comprised the two Wilson's
and the osteopath around the corner.
When, as would happen soon, it learned
of Max Wilson's injury, it would be
more concerned with his chances of
recovery than with the manner Of it.
That was as 1t should be.
But Joe's affair with Sidney had
been the talk of the neighborhood. If
the boy disappeared, scandal would
be inevitable. Twenty people had
seen him at Schwitter's and would
! know him again.
To save Joe, then, was KS first
care.
At first it seemed as If the boy had
frustrated him. He had not been home
I'LL IlSut. WaJidylA6 1As III
the little hall, told him that.
"Mrs. Drummond was here" 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 If you could find him and
would talk to him"
"Joe was with me last night. We
had supper at the White Springs no.
tel. Tell Mrs. Drummond 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 bathed and shaved hurriedly.
Katie brought his coffee to his room,
and he drank it 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 a car at a local garage,
and drove himself out into the coun-
try. He was not minded to have any
eyes on him that day. He went to
Schwitter's first. Schwitter himself
was not in sight. Bill, the bartender,
was scrubbing the porch, and farm
hand was gathering bottles from the
grass into a box. The dead lanterns
swung in the morning air, and from
back ON the hill came the staccat0
sounds of a reaping machine.
"Where's Schwitter?"
"At the barn." Bill grinned. He
recognized K, and, hopping dry part
Of the porch, showed a chair on it.
"Sit down. Well, how's the man who |
got his last night? Dead?"
mo"
County detectives were here bright |
and early. After the Iady's husband. |
[ guess we lose our license over this"
"Bill, did you see the man who fired
that shot last night?"
A sort of haze came over Bills face,
rs If he had dropped a curtain before
MS eyes. But his reply came prompt
y: "Surest thing in the world. Close
% him as you are to me. Dark man,
about thirty, small mustache-"
"Bill, you're lying, and I know it.
Where is he?"
The barkeeper kept his head, but his
.olor changed.
II don't know anything about him."
lie thrust his mop into the pail. K.
ose. The farmland had filled his box
nd disappeared around the corner of
he house. X. put his hand on Bills
arm.
"We've got to get him away from
ere, Bill. The county men may come
ack to search the premises"
"How do know you aren't one Of
hem?"
II guess you know I'm not. He's
riend of mine. AS a matter Of fact, 1
ollowed him here; but was too late.
lid he take the revolver away with
imp"
II took it from him. It's under the '
ar"
"Get 1t for me-"
From inside the bar Bill took care l
IL survey Of LIE Moyne. He noted his t
Ill figure and shabby suit, the slight /
,oop, the hair grazing over his ears. t
arkeepers know men: that's part Of b
lie job. After his survey he went be-
ind the bar and got the revolver from q
lder an overturned pail. Il
&. thrust it into his pocket. II
''Now," he said quietly, where is Ii
n" t
"In my room-top of the house." Il
K. followed Bill up the stairs down h
hich he had carried Wilson's uncon- h
ious figure. The room under the ii
YES was Sitting. An unmade bed
ood in a corner. Joe was sitting in hi
e corner farthest from the window. it
hen the door swung open, he looked a
!. He showed no interest on seeing ii
, who had to stoop to enter the low eV
ON. m
Hello, Joe." &C
II thought you wer. fhe police. Is pl
deadT" it!
mo, indeed" it.
Il wish I'd killed himi"
ooh, no, you don't. You're glad you so
Int, and so am l." HI
'Huhp' tn
(. sat down on the bed. Loud calls &C
m below took Bill out Of the room. Gil
he closed the door behind him, KS WI
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