Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-24

MaCLeanI
BY !
BY w. T. ELORlOGE. :
Copyright. Z
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
BY W. T. ELDRioGE.
The Frank A. Munsey Co.

rom NlnSSOufy, ms htdu sWdtHeu
in bandages, had been caught with his
eyes wide open by the quick and
noiseless movement of the screen.
Thanks" he nodded. Il sup
pose" glancing about, that I'm in the
Farewell club. Brought up through
the underground entrance
. mot bad guess" agreed Trench.
Wonder if you can come as near the
facts on another point"
/ kingsbury rolled over and sat up.
HIS head ached as he had never had
it ache before, and he had an idea it
must be twice its natural size. He felt
Of the bandages. WINGED under the
fingers touch and peered at Trench.
What point" he questioned.
I We'll" and Jerry's gaze turned to
the ceiling, Il was wondering whether
you've made up your mind which OF
us to believe"
A faint smile touched Toms lips.
Part of conversation doesn't al.
| ways enable person to make accu-
| rate guesses." he suggested.
"No? Possibly you were TOO dazed.
t.Thought when looked you over be-
I fore Cruthers came in that | noted a
| tremor of those seyelids. ~
perhaps you did," agreed Tom.
Trench looked down then and
smiled It vas very evident that he
was h shly mused at something.
"Wcl. /. hssbu.y, what's your
guess?"
II don't know Tom answered
promptly. "Cruthers talked about
signed affidayits. On the other hand
man short on stock CANDLES will do
| lot to pull himself out
quite likely | can't say, never
having got the bug He did lose on
cotton, he did buy on margins"
"But you must have more than
that meager fact to make the charge
YOU did, protested Tom.
Il should now that's right. But
\ haven't. Guess you know that some
times bluff will draw hand into the
/ discard
II didn't see Cruther's face when
he answered YOU"
He was very indlgnau lie ap
] peared 10 he honestly shocked at Jay
i suggestion. really don't know The
| man well enough to say whether he is
/ a good actor or not
Tom sat straight and eyed Jerry
/ Trench. But you do know the facts
well enough 70 tell me, whether hi
! charges were true?"
Jerry nodded Il didn't send Dict
MacLean for that package" he sale
slowly.
do you now who did,"
IL have tried to guess. cant lay
hands on the man that | suspect, OF
Ia have more of the truth than pos
sess just now
In other words urged Tom
"you do not think Dick stole thai
money!
II wrote Franklin that he bad"
But you don't believe it now
Man alive, Dick MacLean wouldn'
do a thing like that"
Trench's regard settled upon Kings
buys face. Don't you think | wan
to believe as you do?" he asked.
Il do. You know how your niece
feels toward Dick. understand YOU
position Are you holding back, keep
ing the police from looking, because
you don't want MacLean caught"
III MacLean stole that money ht
ought to be caught came the promp
retOrt. "Oh. don't look at me tina
way. | know what YOU are thinking
Cruthers has just pumped me full o
that sort of stuff. | may buy and
may sell, kingsbury, but give mar
full value for his money. If you'll
take the trouble TO run over my trans
actions you are likely to discove
that | buy only from the man VIII,
would sell to somebody. When the,
come down here for the term, looSins
for what they can make, I'm her,
with the shekels. II they come want
ing to 90 home clean. none of then
: can say put the other way in from
OF them"
Kingsbury made a sharp gesture.
You're right nodded Jerry
Eve 10 call to shape a defense, an,
don't know why I've gone as far al
have to do 50. Never did before
Say"--sitting up and sending hi
cigar at an angle that all but touche,