Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-23

Cruthers started for the street the
| instant he had his answer, and havin.
had one experience in roofing GU
Trench, went straight upstairs the in
slant he reached the Farewell Club.
Almost at the top he halted. Jim
ME O'Brien. whom the lawyer knew
he must pass, was standing talking
with man.
Sure il is after being anything
serious. DOCTOR" questioned Jimmie
Il fancy not He's comfortable
enough on the cot Mr.. Trench
didn't care for me to stSy when I'd
made sure the skull wasn't cracked
| imagine he'll be- himself in short or
der. A bit sore as to-" but Jimmie
had TUNED, suddenly having caught
the scrape of Cruthers's boot on the
stairs as the lawyer started to descend
to the turn in the winding flight.
Cruthers discovered, advanced
quickly, and the physician passed him
and went toward the lower floor
How do you do, Mr.. Cruthers?"
smiled Jimmie; but his little eyes
were searching. "Ye amt after loking
fer Nh Trench, are ye? He's after
being gone"
rs he?' snapped The lawyer.
"Well, you look and make sure Miss
Trench just informed me, not fifteen
minutes ago, that he was here I've
got to see him, as late as it is"
Fifteen minutes is long time,
Mr.. Curthers, fer man as spry as
Mr.. Trench TO be gone entirely from
one spot to another
you look. I'll find him tonight.
II have to hunt every house in this
town.
Well purred Jmmi>. but his
eyes were swapping; IF ye are of that
mind, We had better be after letting
me look fer we here" and O'Brien
stepped through door so quickly that
Crulhers was trhe dumbfounded at
the suddenness of the move.
THE devil. growled the Irlshman.
shaking his fist at the door he had
bolied behind him; the devil not to
be after taking an honest mans word
fer fact"
Then he opened another door and
stood considering Jerry Trench. seat
ed, a hunched figure, before his desk.
"Well?' came the question.
Mr.. Cruthers, sir" whispered
Jimmie. 1 was after telling him We
were gone, and he wouldn't be taking
me word for the fact He is after
having light in his eye and word
on his tongr that says he'll see We
some time before light"
Trenchs teeth had come together
hard as Cruthers's name was men
toned
Slowly he got up, drew aside a
screen which had been placed in one .
corner of the Office and about cot I
bed Jimmie had found on rush orders. .
klnssbury had been considering +
that screen for perhaps two seconds
before OBrien opened the door. His
eyes had told him il might be screen
or a wall, or almost anything. and the
facAlng pain in his head suggested
that the wall was coming down on
top of him at any moment, or, pos.
slbly, had already descended. His
TO tell which was for reason
ne couldn't comprehend
Tom thought he caught the name
1rdthers. Franklin had told him that
lawyer by that name was acting for
he Midweather Company. and, while
lis wits were still pretty well mud.
He'd, he had the sense to close his
yes when Trench drew aside the
screen and looked down upon his
white face. a
For a moment the politician con.
idered: then suddenly he set the
creen back, nodded TO OBrien, and
ank down into his chair. thrusting Il
resi- cigar between his teeth.
Cruihers came into the room with
10 apparent show of haste and the in.
ense nervousness. which had been his
N previous occasions, was wholly
lcking
Trench noted The fact. but he gave
% sign From under his little wisps
( brows his eyes peered up at his
alters face as Cruthers sank into a
hair.
Well suggested The LAWYER" Il
ayen't heard from you today. and,
tie as il is. had TO look you up I've
ad telephone call FROM the presi.
ent of the Midweather Company.
low do YOU suppose he got an ink.
NJ of the truth"
III he has an inkling," unused
erry, his eyes turning rehectively to
le ceiling, Il imagine YOU didn't ,
Ike my advice" 4,
Il have said nothing" snapped ,
ruthers DO you think | care to ,
ave this thing become public prop.
-ty?" d,
I'm sure | don't know" ,
We'll, don't. Look here. Mr. .
rench. | fancy It il time for you to
II me something You haven't been q
W0rk AL This time aHd found out