Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-22
mysterious
| MaCLean !
BY Z
BY w. T. EL0RioGe.
Copyright,
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
BY
BY W. T. ELDRlDGE.

He went through the trees, turned
sharply and threw himself on to the
ground. At the risk OF running his
clothes, he began to crawl back
quickly.
He gained the edge of the trees and
raised his head. t'or some few
minutes he waited. had almost de-
clded he had made a wrong guess, and
then was rewarded by seeing man
Strengthened up behind huge oak
kingsbury still had faith in his
sprinting ability, If he had failed to
employ II to advantage on two Occa
sions; but he had suddenly decided to
play wary. He let the man get clear
OF the trees and some little distance
across the field before he leaped up.
Then, keeping his man in sight. but
without closing on him, he took the
trail.
4 Il lead straight for the road and
there. as Tom leaped the wall. he saw
The fellow ahead, making in the dlrec-
stion of Concord, whose lights bright
ened the sky in a rudy glow.
On and on the man hurried, and
Kingsbury began to close upon him as
they entered the outskirts OF the
town.
Down one street and then around a
corner went the man, falling h5 time
now, tDviOu ~ Ger lin le had made
good Ills escg pc. and MOI even ookine
back to be sure. II was easy t,ailins
SO easy that Tom wondered if it
would bring him to anything
At last they were in the heart OF
the city when suddenly the man
turned down side street. Tom
swung after him, noted in one swift
glance that the better part of the city
had been suddenly left behind, and
then, like a shot, the fellow was gone
into a low doorway.
kingsbury drew up short, waited a
moment, and went past the house
slowly.
It was little twostoried wooden
building. and next to it was vacant
lot. A high board fence surrounded
the open ground, and above the top Of
the boards the back OF a large build
ing, evidently facing on the street
above, could be seen.
Moving slowly, Tom went on IA few
PAGES. and then crossed to the other
side. As he gained the curb a woman
whom he noticed only at that moment
drew back into a shadowy doorway.
There was something in her actions
that. caught his attention. He, too
stepped back. one eye on the house
into which the man had gone the
other ON the doorway which hid the
woman.
He wasn't, OF course, at all certain
that there was anything significant il
her action but while he debated wha
his course should be, he resolved t(
keep an eye upon her movements.
And suddenly she reappeared ant
started straight across the street
Like shot kingsbury moved for
ward, reached the other side. ant
passed the door into which the mar
had dived just as the woman stepped
onto the curb.
With well.smulated clumsnes.
Tom stumbled, gathered himself to
gether, and brushed against her.
Again he had heavy veil to peel
through and only a SECOND in whicl
TO make his guess. He muttered ;
word of excuse. stepped out OF tn.
woman's path, and went on but as HI
glanced back he saw her enter thu
same door as the man had used.
AS he caught the snap of the sprinl
lock he swung sharply about.
"Well, what in thunder" he nut
tered. Mallory Holcomb again
and into that house
He stood with lowered brows, hands
deep in his pockets, and honest be
wilderment written upon his face.