The Monticellonian., 1917-03-29
Copyright. by W. G. Chapman

BILE in his hotel room, fumbling nerv-
ously with a glass paper weight. With
the words spoken he let fly at "a small
framed photograph of himself hang
ing on the opposite wall.
Rage and contempt were in his
tones. The picture glass shattered
and the frame fell to the floor. He
sprang to his feet, gave the wreck
kick, and paced up and down the room,
red and furious with emotion.
Then he cooled down, but savagely.
A letter lay on the table. He tore
open its envelope. Enclosed was
check for $50, and a single line:
you are doing well. Keep it up
The letterhead was that of q city
detective agency and Willis was its
egalized representative, for he wore
star of authority on his vest lapel,
and In his pocket was warrant for
the apprehension of one Sidney Glare.
BY profession. Willis was not a de-
/ tective. He was less than an amateur,
in fact, and had no heart in the bust
ness to which circumstances had forced
him. A chief clerk In the office of
/ firm of leading lawyers, he had been
/ pressed into service at the suggestion
Of the detective concern which did the
secret-service business of the firm.
There's young Willis" the chief of
/ the agency had remarked Bright,
young; will enjoy the vacation. Give
him one; We'll post him, and put him
on the Glare case He's just the fell
I low to discover the quarry we're after,
md Wen pay him WE'LL
The chief explained to Willis what
/ there was to do. 1t was a case of EN-
! bezzlement. Sidney Glare, a young
,lerk. had been suspected and charged
with the crime, but had disappeared.
The amount missing represented sew
eral thousand dollars. 1t was known
/ that young Clare had been listening
/ at a half-open door while the heads
Of the firm were discussing their dis
cOveries and deciding what course
/ they would take. Later. when they
sought him, he was nowhere about,
and he had evidently left the city.
The detective agency was given the
case. The head had sent men out, but
no trace of the fugitive had been dis
covered. The case was given no pub
licity for the present, as the firm
hoped to recover some of the missing
money. Then they would prosecute
! the culprit.
The detective head had an idea in
mind The Glare people lived at the
quiet little town of Durham. 1t was
altogether probable that the family
might receive some word from the flu
! gitive.
Go down there in your natural
character of a young lawyer on va
cation" advised the sleuth. Get in
with the Clares. They won't for mo-
ment suspect clipper, honest-faeed
in the family; you'd ought to take
with. the girl
1.-The poor fellows sister?-I don't
+ like it !" observed Willis.
There's the element of right and
/ justice as well, may remind YOU" OBJ
served the detective tersely. Come,
don't be squeamish. The successful
lawyer is half q detective anyhow, and
the experience will put new edge
to your wits
"All right. I'll try 1t to please the
firm somewhat reluctantly consent
ed Willis, although l don't think
have the detective instinct in any
sense of the word. Bet I'll bungle!'
And now q week had gone by at
Durham, and Willis had smashed his
picture All he said about himself he
believed. He had acted an unmanly
part. He had been welcomed with
open arms by the good people of Dur
ham, who saw in his face only truth
and honor He had met Rachel Clare.
He was invited to the house. and now
he recognized an unmlstakable fact
he was in love with her.
Twice during his espionage on the
| Glare family he had made discovery.
Once the mother, another time Rachel
herself had left the house by a rear
exit, bearing a parcel In each in
stance the bearer took a route through
the woods and was gone about four
hours. To visit the son and brother in
hiding doubtless.
Willis wavered between love and
duty He was minded to return at
once to the city and throw up his com
mission. He fairly despised himself.
Then he realized that such procedure
would hurt him with the firm. Again.
it was hard to leave without at least
once more seeing the girl he had
learned to love. He retired that night,
to toss restlessly the long hours
through. He was pale and distraught
the next morning, as he left his hotel,
and irresistibly his steps led him into
the direction of the Clare home.
1t was too early in the day to think
of presenting himself as caller but
he could not tear himself away from
the vicinity. He strolled to the out
skirts of the wood. he penetrated the
timber, losing himself in thought. His
wanderings We're vain TO dissipate the
Juggling wretchedness at his heart.
Resting at length in the shadow of a
great oak tree, he was reused from
reverie by the sound of voices. He
expected discovery. Near to an old
hut, which he had not noticed before,
well sequestered in a leafy grove, was
young man, pale, thin and invalid
looking. He was supported by girl
ish companion.
She was Rachel Glare, and. noting
the resemblance, Willis at once knew
l. e.. \,