The Washington times., 1918-08-12
The PlOtters
A SERIAL OF EAST AND WEST
Clifford, Pursuing His Role of Sher-
lock Holmes, Asks Butler S.
to Ride With Him ~


shock his mother by Letting 'Ass
guess the truth. @T - - =.
,Gitaord SEN satIsneG
There was better plan than this.
II Butler knew what Wade had
done, he would soon ten the phYsi.
clan what he thought of-him. A
row would ensue. When Wade
learned that his dupiicity was rec
ognized, he would, remove his. %
called sister from the farm. The
desired end would be accomplished
without the Chaplns' seeming inter-
ference. Therefore Wade would not
vent his spite Amos. = - -
CLIFFORD smiled as he mused on HE !
own cleverness. This was surely . Z
mastery stroke that he vas plan !
ming. But how have . word With !
Butler without making his ulterior :
motive too obvious? 49, 49,
As II in reply TO his question. bis 5
mother called from the house.
Amos. will you, come here and
see what ais this lamp. pleaser"
clifford knew this was but = rnss
on his mothers part to get his
father out of his way for 4 mo-
ment- As Amos obeyed the sum
mons, the son took adventage % the
chance thus afforded him. =
"I say" he said. impulsively. Z
Butler. don't you want to 90 for Z
walk tonight?"
~I always 90 for walk before
90 to bed John replied Way a.
you ask?"
"well.r cnkord tried to speai
casually, II was wondering n yon
wouldn't ride q mile or sordoTn, tie
road With me when J go. I want = !
talk over q little business mAft1F
with you-something have 5jrrk
been thinking about Can you mA4o :
it,"
Butler looked toward the spea1k4
er. but It was too dark for him -
see distinctly the expressiou slkE Z
young Chapin's face.
why. yes,n he said, slowly, AZ ~
puzzled at the request, Il am golA<
for q walk anyway, may a. 6sll
drive with you. II you wish Il. dounl
to the -Four Corners, and walk b&ck
homen 49,
"AIl right. it's about time ! .wt1,
on. too. Clifford announced. risior
and stretching .t.f
80 = ~ 1A-CA- - A08Ja
He found himself becoming nerv-
Gus Is he thought Of his proposed
revelation to this seIf-eciIected !.
man OF the worid He knew that ha
was going to give this quiet chap
=, gTests surprise, ans tried, 70 feel
secure in bis ebnscioushess5of 5of &dhty
about to. be performed. . ss
-T guess I'll 60 in and tell the
folks good-by," he remarked. ~Pu
be out In . minute.
Mother" he called a. he entered
the house 'It's time I was start
ing =
Martha Chaplin hurried out of-the
kitchen where she was talking with
Elizabeth. ~.
~oh, elf. dear. are you going p
soon," she protested. =
Il must" her. son informed her.
You never can tell but what you'll
get q puncture or breakdown OF
some kind when you're driving .
car that don't belong To- you, And
II won't do for me te lose my
train for the West tonight. You
see, I've got to take the car around
70 the Midland garage and leave It
there-then walk to the station BY,
the way, Buffers going a little way
with me, then he'll walk back ,HesG.
strong on this walking business,
you know" he added. with q laugh
that he tried to make sound natural
Elizabeth Wade, standing IN the
kitchen. heard all this speech.
Butler was going to be alone with
chnord Chaplin, and she could do
nothing to prevent It.
She remained in the kitchen when
Clifford, after running up to his
room for his bags, returned to his
parents, where they stood at the
foot of the stairs.
-Good-by," she heard him say a
he shook hands with his father and,
kissed his mother. "Pll write SOON.
A moment later she heard the
whirr Of the motor at the gats.
Then silence. -,
She knew that John Butler sna
Chaplin had gone away to-
Go Be COntinued.)