Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-02-22
CHAPTER XIII.

Max had rallied well, and things
looked bright for him. His patient
did not need him, but X. was anxious
to find Joe; 50 he telephOned the gas
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 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 0ste0path 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 Joes affair with Sidney had
been the talk of the neighborhood. If
the boy disappeared, a 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, wayiaying 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 no
tel. Tell Mrs. Drummond he was in
good spirits, and that she's not to
worry. I 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 s,anding. AS he went
down the Street, he saw Mrs. Nc
Kee III her doorway, with q little knot
/ Of people around her. The Street
was getting the nights news.
He rented d car at a local garage
and drove himself out into the coun-
/ try. Ee 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
srasS into q box. The dead lanterns
swung in the morning air, and from
back on the hill came the staccato
sounds of reaping machine.
"Where's Schwittar?"
] eat the barn" Bill grinned. He
/ recognized X, and, hopping dry a part
Of the porch showed a chair on it.
"Sit down. Well, hows the man who
/ got his last night? Dead?"
mo"
County detectives were here bright
and early. After the lady's husband.
l 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 Bits 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 1 know it.
Where is he?"
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 filled his box
and disappeared around the corner OF
the house. X. put his hand on Bits
shirtsleeved arm.
We've got to get him away from
here, Bill. The county men may come
back to search the premises"
How do l know you aren't one OF
them?"
y guess you know I'm not. He's &
friend Of mine. AS a matter of fact,
followed him here; but l was too late
Did he take the revolver away witt
him?"
I took it from hirn. It's under the
bar"