The Irish standard., 1917-01-20
CHAPTER XIII.

Max had rallied we'll, and things
looked bright for him. His patient
did not need him, but X. was anxious
to find Joe; so he telephoncd the gas
Office and got day off.
For the present, ut least, KS re-
venled identity was safe. Hospitals
keep their secrets well. And it is
doubtful il the Street would have
been greatly concerned even had ii
known. 1t had never heard of Ed.
wnrtcs, of the Edwardes clinic. or the
EdwarleS operation. Its medical
knowledge comprised the two Wilson's
and the osteopnth around the corner.
When, us 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 IT.
That was as it should be.
But Joc's affair with Sidney had
been the talk of the neighborlood. If
the boy disappeared, Il scandal would
be inevitable. Twenty people had
seen him ut Schwitter's aud would
know him again.
To save Joe, then, was KS first
care.
At first ii seemed us If the boy had
frustrated him. He had not been home
all night. Christine, waylaying H. in
the little hall, told him that
"Mrs. Drunlnlond was here" she
said. "Shc is almost frantic. She SAYS
Joe has lot been home all night. She
says he looks up to you, and she
thought if you could find lin and
would talk to him"
"Joe was with me last night. We
Ind supper ut the White Springs no.
tel. Tell Mrs. Drllmmond 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 bntled and shaved hurrirdly.
Katie brought his coffee to his room.
and he drank it standing. AS he went
down the Street, he saw Mrs. Me-
Kee in her doorway. with n little knot
Of people around her. The Street
was getting the nights news.
He rented car ut q local guruge.
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. Schwittcr himself
was not In sight. Bill, the bartender,
wns scrubbing the porch, and IL farm
hand ftnf hn,irfr a.
yrass into box. The dead Inntc!as
swung III the morning air, ana irni.
back on the hill came the slaccuto
sounds Of II rcnping machine.
"Whcrc's SchwitterY'
"At the barn." Bill grinn"l. He
recognized X, and, hopping dry pnrt
of the porch, showed chair ON 1t.
"Sit down. Well. how's the man who
got his last night2 Dead?"
mo"
County detectives were here bright
and early. After the lady's husband.
guess we lose our license over this"
"BilI, did you see the man who fired
that shot last night?"
A sort of haze came over Bits face,
as If he had dropped q curtain before
his eyes. But his reply came prompt
ly: "Surest thing In the world. Close
to him as you are to me. Dark man,
about thirty, small mustache-"
"Bill, you're lying, and know it.
Where is he?"
The bnrkecDer kept his head, but his
color changed.
Il don't know anything about him"
He thrust his mop into the nail. X.
rose. The farmland had filed his box
and disappeared around the corner OF
the house. X. put his hand on Bills
shirtsIeeved arm.
We've got to get him away from
here, Bill. The county men may come
back to search the premises"
"li"w do know you aren't one Of
themY'
II guess you know I'm not. Hes a
friend of mine. AS q matter of fact,
followed him here; but 1 was too late.
Did lie take the revolver away with
himi"
II took it from him. It's under the
bar"
Get it for me-"
From inside the bar Bill took a care
full survey Of LIE Moyne. He noted his
tall figure and shabby suit, the slight
stoop, the hair gray:ng over his ears.
Barkeepers know men: that's part Of
the job. After his survey he went be-
hind the bar and got the revolver from
under an overturned pail.
X. thrust it into his pocket.
"Now." he said quietly. s.wbere ia