The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-03-22
CHAPTER XIII.

'
to find Joe; so he telephoned the gus
office and got Il dny off.
For the present, ut least, KS re-
vealed identity was safe. Hospitals
keep their secrets well. And 1t is
| doubtful II 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. It's medical
knowledge comprised the two Wilson's
and the Osteoputh around the corner.
| When. us would happen soon, it learned
Of Mae Wilson'S injury, it would be
more concerned with his chances of
recovery than with the manner Of it.
| That was ny 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
I'LL night. Christine, wayluying X. in
the little hall, told him that.
Mrs. Drummond was here" she
said. She is almost frantic She saws
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 ut 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 hurricdly.
Katie brought his coffee to his room,
ana he drank 1t standing. AS he went
down the Street, he saw Mrs. Nc
kce in her doorway, with Il little knot
OF people around her. The Street
was getting the nights news.
He rented car at 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. Sclwitter himself
was not in sight. Bill, the bartender.
was scrubbing the porch and farm
hand was gathering bottles from the
grass into Il box. The dead lanterns
swung in the morning air, and from
pack on the hill came the staccato
sounds of rcaping machine.
where's Schwltter?"
At the barn Bill grinned. He
recognized k.. and mopping dry a part
OIL the porch, showed chair on 1t.
''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"
"Blll, did YOU see the man who fired
that shot last night?"
a sort of haze came over Bills face,
as If he had dropped curtain before
his eyes. But his reply came prompt
~: "Surest thing in the world. Close
10 MN as you are to me. Dark man,
about thirty, small mustache-"
"Bill, you're lying. and know it.
Where Is he?"
The burkeeper kept his head, but his
color changed.
Il don't know anything about him."
lie thrust his mop into the pail. X.
rose. The farmland had filled his box
ana disappeared around the corner Of
the house. X. put his hand on Bills
shirtsleeved arm.
we've got to get him away from
mere, BILL The county men may come
Dack to search the premises"
How DO know you aren't one Of
them2"
Il guess you know I'm not. He's a
friend Of mine. AS matter Of fact,
followed him here; but I was too late.
Did he take the revolver away with
hIm?"
IL took it from him. It's under the
bar"
Get it for me-"
From inside the bar Bill took care
full survey of lie Moyne lie noted his
tall figure and shabby suit, the slight
stoop, the hair graying over his ears.
Barkeepcrs 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, "where is
he2"
In my room-top Of the house."
X. followed Bill up the stairs down
which he had carried Wilson's uncon.
scious figure. The room under the
caves was Stiiling. An unmade bed
stood In corner. Joe was sitting in
the corner inrthcst from the window.
when the door swung open, he looked
up. He showed no interest on seeing
H., who had to stoop to enter the low
| room.