Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-19
Mysterious
| MaCLeanI
4 BY W. r. ELDRiDGE.
Copyright,
The Frank A Munsey Co.
BY W. r. ELDRiDGE.

Then you've cot your work cut
kingsbury could have gotten mad
on the instant, bur he knew II was
folly 10 do so. Instead he looked
Trench up anC down, and the politician
returned the examination Each man
seemed bent on delying deep into HE
others makeup, as il they both rec.
ognlzed that a trial OF wits was about
70 follow
Look here, Mr.. Trench, il YOU
didn't expec MacI.ean's friends to
make some move, why in the name o.
Heaven did you write that note?'
Il fancied Franklin might know
where Maclean had gone, More than
that, ii was my duty to let him know.
This isn't matter for the police, it's
20, to be kept quiet"
why snapped kingsbury.
What was this money. where was it
stolen. to whom did it belong
Trench hesitated second. Then
with apparent reluctance, but as il
realizing he could do no less. he gave
kingsbury mos OF the facts. They
came in short sentences, the brietest
OF words: but nevertheless the recital
left the lawyer staring at the man be
fore him as il he questioned his own
ears.
ave ?" c. ne n same word th9t
Tienc was so Oft n in@.
us out Q. n" Q"rStio., it I NJ be
true" ur.ed kinesbufy.
1T is true. The faces ale straight.
Want to see my blistered feet"
The suggestion OF dry humor in the
question was lost upon kinesbury
DO on mean TO sit there and tell
me that Dick MacLean tortured YOU
on that island?'
"He was II, my camp. Two Of my
friends have told me that
Then how did ne get that parer?'
"He left and crossed the lake on
the early morning boat, came straight
10 Concord, and a little after noon
went to the bank. Find him. and he'll
tell you what you want to know -
perhaps
"Whal have YOU done. what move
have you made 10 find Im?" de-
lnanded Tom
; i've men hunting. Not the police
It ISM an affair they need NEEDLE
, with, but men on whom can de-
pend. I'VE got MacLean's move.
ments down pat. He went 10 the
7 bank. got the package, hurried to the
+ railroad station and then--shall we
say, he decided to linger here while
! longer? -- went back up town. He
/! was here. at this house, at dusk. He
left, and after that
"You know nothing as Trench
shrugged
Il know nothing yet. Perhaps
lyou'll be able TO tell me he rest by
morning.
There was suggestion in the
words that Tom did not fail to note
what do you mean by that" he
challenged.
Trench shrugged again You
said you'd come to ge, al the truth
of the affair | thought it might not
take You such great while
| kingsburys cheeks paled Just the
least Bit. You mean that ! know
more than ! care to say: DO you
think that? Is that the reason fol
your note to Mr.. Franklin? You mean
to insinuate that fifty thousand dollars
lis big enough sum to tempt Mac
Lean and his friends including my
. self, TO rob you? Is tina, what YOU
are trying to hint at what Your round
about talk"
Trench seemed not TO note the
anger in the lawyers tone His LITTLE
round eyes blinked a trihe faster, that
was all.
I'm saying nothing, I'm saving
wood. | want that money, | want Mac
Lean. Turn him over to me. No harm
no publicity will follow--if--l-get -
my money"
Kingsbury leaped 10 his feet
you've answered me- You near
lust what ! said. All right, look al
IL that way II you please. What was
this money? Fifty thousand dollars
is a pretty big sum to lie UP in brown
paper and leave at bank to be turn
ed over to any one who might call
What was il there for? That's cas-,
10 guess. Some OF your dirty work
10 be used to buy votes, to twist thu
will OF the people so that the wor,