The Pulaskian., 1917-08-10
CHAPTER xxIII.

office and got 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. It 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, a scandal would be inevitable. Twenty people had seen him at Schwitters 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"
 Zoe was with me last night We had supper at the White Springs ho- | tel. Tell Mrs. Drummond he was in 1 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 standing. As he went down the Street, he saw Mrs. Mo- Kee in her doorway, with 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- 1 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 Schwitter?"
 At the barn." Bill grinned. He recognized K, and, mopping dry part of the porch, showed chair on it.
 "Sit down. We'll, how's the man who got his last night? Dead?"
 'sNo."
 County detectives were here bright and early. After the lady's husband. l guess we Jose our license over this."
 r'Bill, 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 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 I know it. Where Is hep
 The barkeeper kept his head, but his color changed.
 T don't know anything about him." He thrust his mop into the pail. K. rose. The farmland had filled his box and disappeared around the corner of the house. K. put his hand on Bills shirtsleevod arm.
 We've got to get him away from here, Bill. The county men may come back to search the premises"
 ''How do I know you aren't one of them?"
 T guess you know I'm not. He's friend of mine. AS a matter of fact, I followed him here; but was too late. Did he take the revolver away with him?"
 q took it from him. It's under the bar"
 l "Get 1t for me-"
 From inside the bar Bill took care full survey of Le 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?"
 Tn my r00m-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 stifing. 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."
 T thought you were the police. Is he dead?"