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

ia " Sus Wudt luiAto III Win tne
upper and the lower in this town"
explained Stone instantly Il know
some things, and again | only get
enough TO make raw guess. You're
looking for a chap by the name of
MacLean."
Tom was startled. but he gave no
sign. What if | ann" he asked
Nothing" smiled Stone; only |
got onto what couple of blokes were
saying this evening, and ! thought the
stuff might interest YOU
why me-" There was Just the
least bit of natural excitement in
Toms voice, but his manner was ap-
parently Indifferent.
"Oh, | heard these guys saying you
were after MacLean, and that they
didn't know but what they'd squeal on
the party they We're working for and
come to you. Thought there might be
a cent in it that way
And you, having found this out
thought you would make the cen
fury for yourself?'
Stone chuckled softly. Say, you're
on. I'm not floating in coin. pick
, the dollars where the roses bloom and
stow it. Want to add to the ple?"
If you have anything worth while,
yes"
Il have" nodded Stone, leaving off
his banterng manner. IN deliver
the goods and trust you to do whats
right. How's that"
III you have anything to deliver
nodded kingsbury, watching the man
closely.
Some way he scented trick, and
yet for the life of him he couldn't see
what object the man could have I'M
/ less he spoke the truth.
| He had had no time to talk with
Trench. The politician had done his
teiephoning. appeared Indifferent to
the fact that Cruthers had escaped,
written note for Kingsbury to hand
! to the police when they arrived, and
taken his hurried departure.
Once the police were in charge of
the Sweetwell home, King bury had
! hurried to the hotel hoping for some
word from Marjory Holcomb; for
Trench had mentioned, as he went
out the. door, that his niece's friend
had inquired where she could find
Kingsbury. But now, with the chance
to get some information concern
ing MacLean, all other thoughts were
driven from his head. Yet he did
not permit himself to appear to anx-
ious
He questioned his caller at length,
but in the end, apparently satisfied.
he hurried with the man to the street
and hailed a cab.
As their conveyance turned away
from the curb in front of the hotel, an
automobile swung after them, but
that fact went unnoted by both men,
still busy with questions on one hand
and answers on the other.
At point some distance from Con
cord the carriage was deserted, ana
Stone motioned down the road. Side
by side the two men hurried into the
night The road was at last left be.
hind, and a path across the fields fol.
lowed
Il took look out here before com.
ing to YOU explained Stone. and
there aiA't soul around. didn't get
into the house, and | amt dead sure,
but the house is . prime enc TO hide a
cuss in
How far is it from the old Dewey
place." questioned kingsbury.
THE wey place? That's down the
back road about mile
kingsbury gave a nod. His blood
was like fire in his veins, and yet
he was watching his companion
closely. still wondering if the man, for
all his apparent sincerity, were
truthful
They came to small farmhouse
low and squatty, hidden by high hill
and clump of shading trees.
There's back window supplied
Stone, that | fancy we can make.
tried it."
Cautiously the two men approached
the dark building, and lodging from
shadow to shadow, reached the shell
ter of his side.
Stone nodded toward the window al
the end, and Kingsbury slipped along
and Strengthened under it, Hope was
strong in his breast now. He almost
believed that he was about to find hi,
friend. But as he stood UP and triec
to pry open the sash, he caught din
reflection in the dirty glass.
Like a shot he dropped to his knees
whirlng about at Inc same moment
and the ~ext Sc 4 he had turned
and plunged for his companion.
"You cur" roared Tom. The
blow. intended for him, missed com
, pletely. The he had his man down
the butled revolver wrehched from
his hand.
GRO BE CONT lNcED)
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