Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-28

We'll, why SnOulu /! Dlun |
Sweetwell tell you? | went for that
package and it was gone. Sweetwell
held ME up, too. He went out to tele-
phone-thought he got you"
Cruthers nodded uneasily. But you
didn't come here" he insisted.
Say" grinned the fellow, 'why
should come here? What's got you?
Did you think | sEeaked the thing?
Say, Cruthers, what was in that darn
cd package? ran into Jack Spinder.
I'm just back in town. having got out
that very day went for your darned
package another job and what
Spinder said put me wise to some
thing being up. Where does Jerry
Trench come into this game?"
The fellows regard was crafty, and
he searched the lawyers face as if to
read the truth in his expression.
Trench? Trench isn't in the
thing. That is - hastily - there
isn't any game as you call it. That
package was of no importance, moth
ing at all
We'll, if it wasn't, wonder why
| was to get it, pull down nice pile
from you, and beat it for parts un.
known"
We'll, you didn't get the package
snapped Cruthers.
"And ! didn't get my money. Say,
you can talk till the cows come home,
but from what Spinder said--and he
was loaded and laxative -- | fancy
Jerry Trench would like to know
what | know. Suppose you come
across with some of the money
didn't get"
Cruthers leaned back in his chair
and began to chuckle softly.
STOW it," growled the fellow !;
you can't hand me any con game
with that mirth.'
"Stone'-and Cruthers looked the
man straight in the eye-"Tve got 10
catch that train due here in few
minutes. We SoL 'A.i0 h''t'V' ~"
| can look after while Pm gone; I'll fix
I things up with you just as soon as
get back
Stones face took on a look OF in
! jurcd innocence. You don't pull
that stuff on me. I'd have been here
for The coin before this ii hadn't
had to get out of town on that Other
matter If you've got anything on
hand out the green and I'll talk bust
ness"
Cruthers considered for moment
Z motioned his caller close to him, ant
began to speak earnestly.
Stone showed no surprise in the in
structions he received, only ending
/ the matter by demanding payment
] then and there.
Reluctantly Cruthers passed oyel
some bills, urged his man to hurry
and the instant he was alone began I
nervous ransacking of his desk IL,
stuffed mass of papers into bas
he found in the closet and was once
again on the street.
AS he reached the corner he stop
ped glanced in he direction Of til,
railroad station, and turned up thu
block.
Passing the hotel where Kingsbur,
was stopping, from the opposite sid,
of the street he caught sight of Stone
waiting near the doorway, and, appal
emily satisfied, he started for the rail
road station.
Stone, lounging in the doorway o
a store next to the hotel entrance
permitted himself a faint smile. II,
had caught sight of Cruthers and h,
shook his head slowly.
I'D like to know that bloke
game" he muttered up here to Sc,
if I'm on the job. Good Lord" witt
disgust in his tone--"he might know
I'd 60 the limit once I'd taken hi
coin! 1t amt my way to give gu,
the double.cross, as il some one ha,
questioned his honesty when it cam,
to being bought for job al
do my turn, Mr.. Cruthers; and thel
well, well see if there's dolla
in It for Sam Stone ON the othe
tack"
He continued to mutter TO himsel
for some time. but his eyes were act
i've and watch[ul.
Suddenly he stirred. went aloni
the sidewalk, and entered the hote
as Kinesbury goN his key from tn
: desk.
He ran face to face with the lawye
as he turned down the lobby.
. I'D like word with YOU he SAT-
quietly.
with me?' Tom was sludyin
: the man intently. For moment h
thought he might be the fellow he ha
encountered on the stairs of Mrs
Carey's cottage; and then he realize
his mistake. for, as he had held tina
other man briefly in his embrace, h
had had TOO good look at his fac
to mistake him if they should NEE
again.
III may?' stones face was mel
ial
kingsbury led The way to his rool