Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-29
Mysterious
MaCLean !
BY z
Dy w. T. el0Ri0CE.
Copyright, :
The Frank A. Munsey Co.
CHAPTER xVIii.
Stone Speaks,

For a few Eoments the man showed
i wild attempt 10 gain his feet and all
but succeeded.
Tom Klngsbury. however. was too
far beside himself with rage and
disappointment to be held in check.
Out went his fist as the fellow threw
him to one side and struggled TO his
X aes.
With erosn the man went down.
He attempted to rise, and the next
second found himself upon his feet.
Toms hand upon his collar and the
reyt yer pressed against his side.
Until that moment when Tom had
caught the dim reflection Of Stones
lifted hand, revolver held by its muz
zle to strike him down, he had cluns
70 the hope that at last he was to get
some trace of, possibly to find. Mae
Lean. His disappointment left him
furious and feeling little mercy. The
thought that he had been tricked by
such y stor> as Stone had woven
n,sde him - all over.
Bu, il also left him determined TO
get at the bottom Of the affair and
learn who was so anxious TO get him
0ut OF he v =.
He ing tone Lackr ard. yankod
him *. aieht, and shook LIN Il. Il dos
might hake rat
You cur" he growled, 'I'll have
the facts out of you or know why.
Stand up and talk.'
Stone, his teeth chattering with the
force OF his shaking, uttered wild
protest.
stop, stop" he cried. You ainl
.ot no cause TO handle blokc like
that. What in do you mean
Tom swung the man about. backed
Lin against the house, and stood il
front Of him
Wen have no pretensc from now
on snapped kingsbury. Il want
the meaning OF your action and The
name OF the people who set you on. II
YOU lie, I'll handle YOU harder than |
have
The fellows eyes lifted and il his
shaking had MOI already impressed
him witNthe determination or the law
yer. one look into Toms face was
> enough 'lsn,,n., .,oo. towering aver
nni, broad Of shoulder. face set, eyes
H. hing, and q look about the firm,
pressed lips that forbade triling
Il didn't have nothing to do with
this" protested Stone.
You had enough to do with it 10
attempt to brain me with your pistol.
Who told YOU TO come to me and
weave that story? Come. the truth,
man. or" A threatening move to
lay hands on Stone again ended the
sentence and brought cry Of protest
from the fellow.
"All right, speak up and I'll leave
YOU alone. Otherwise I'll march you
back to town after the worst beating
you ever had, and hand you over to
the police
A crafty light crept ino the fellows
eyes. you think that will work
with me. do YOU ae sns cred well
you try it, you smart blol;e. guess
stand in with Jerry Trench. and the
police dance for him. fancy you can
20 and be damned and the fellow
actually started to move from the po
sition into which he had been thrown
by Tom.
Kingsbury leaped for him, flung
him back against the house, and ~
over him.
DO you mean Trench set you on IL
me-" roared
"Oh, I know Trench mighty well,
smiled the man.
"All right. Straight to Trench ",
20. He happens to be friend o
mine, and Wen see II YOU are lying.
want the truth OF this. and I'll have i
no matter who's hit"
stone seemed TO cfumple up at th'
words. He peered intently at Kings
hurry. Jerry Trench a friend o
yours?" he whispered.
eyes. and We go to him. Yo,
march and march straight. III put !
bullet into you II you try any funny