The midland journal., 1917-05-04
CHAPTER XIII.

For the present, Ut ledSI, IN. > re-
vealed identity was safe. Hospitals
keep their secrets well. And it is
doubtful If the Street would have
been greatly concerned even had it
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 it 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
all night. Christine, waylaying K. in
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 ho-
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 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 staccato
sounds Of reaping machine.
"Where's SchwitterY
"At the barn." Bill grinned. He
recognized K, and, hopping dry part
Of the porch, showed chair on it.
"Sit down. Well, how's the man who
got his last night? Dead"
"NO."
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 last nightw
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 as you are to me. Dark man,
about thirty, small mustache-"
"Bill, you're lying, and know it.
Where is hep
The barkeeper kept his head, but his
color changed.
81 don't know anything about him."
He thrust his mop into the pail. K.
rose. The farmland had filed his box
and disappeared around the corner Of
the house. K. put his hand on Bills
shirtsleeved arm.
"We've got to get him away from
here, Bill. The county men may come
back to search the premises"
"How do know you aren't one Of
them?"
II guess you know I'm not. He's a
friend Of mine. AS matter Of fact, 1
followed him here; but I was too late.
Did he take the revolver away with
him?"
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 graying 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.
K. thrust it into his pocket.
"Now," he said quietly, "where is
he?"
'In my room-top Of the house."
K. followed Bill up the stairs down
which he had carried Wilson's uncon-
scious figure. The room under the
caves was sitting. An unmade bed
stood In a corner. Joe was sitting In
the corner farthest from the window.
When the door swung open, he looked
up. He showed no interest on seeing
K, who had to stoop to enter the low
room.
Hello, Joe."
II thought you were the police. Is
he dead?"
"No, indeed"
| 81 wish I'd killed himl"