Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-18

my rooms at the Touralne 10 ne ready
for you. Hadn't you and Marj0ry
better catch the afternoon train?'
And do what for YOU" nodded
the girl, her blue eyes sparkling.
You are too WISE smiled the
man. But | have commission. "
And he passed over the note he had
written.
The two girls hurried away 10 make
preparations. and caught the train
which brought them to Boston little
before FIVE. They drove at once to the
News Office. and Edith sent in her
name to Horace Franklin.
The managing editor received them
instantly and took the note. offering
the two girls the only chairs that his
Uttered Office afforded
Just one moment he excused
himself "A note from your uncle.
Miss Trench, demands instant atten-
ton"
Franklin pulled out The two sheets
of closely written paper and began to
read wonderingly. AS his eyes scanned
the first few lines they travelled faster.
Once he paused long enough to shoot
a sharp look at his two callers. and
then was again devouring the words
that brought dumb surprise to him.
He reread the letter. thrust it into
the envelope, and drew deep breath.
He had been told, in addition to the
startling news concerning the theft
that the girl who had brought the let
ter knew nothing OF its contents.
A trifle abruptly. perhaps, he show
ed his callers out and went back to
the window Franklin was tall and
angular, and his spare frame stiffened
perceptibly as he once more read the
message from Trench.
Then he went over to his desk and
sank down. and his lips came together
in a hard line as his gray eyes flashed
BY Heavens, if it were from any
one but Trench he muttered.
Like shot he swung to the tele
phone and called number.
Tom" he questioned, as he got his
connection, "can you beat it fol
here?"
Sure Almost time to shut W
shop for the day." agreed kingsbury.
Thomas Kingsbury. who had beer
one of MacLean's classmates at Har
ward, and who was now engaged in
building up legal practice in Boston
was in Franklin's Office inside Of ter
minutes.
Franklin passed ever Trench's let
ter without a word
Kingsbury, deposting his sixfeet
two in revolving chair, swung about
to the light and began to read.
With the first few lines his eyes,
like Franklin's travelled faster and
faster His hand dropped to his knee,
the letter finished, and he looked
straisht at his friend
What do you think of that?' came
the newspaperman' demand.
ITS d lie.' snapped Kings.
bury. ",lacLean a thief Trench?
Trench" questoningly. The New
Hampshire boss?'
franklin nodded. Il said the same
thing when read that, damned lie
But Trench - il you knew Trench
you'd realize that he wasn't shooting
at stars. He hits the nail every time,
and no mistake.
DO YOU mean to tell me that you
think it true?" roared kingsbury, his
black eyes flashing.
Good Lord. no., shot out Franklin
Il do know that there must be some
rotton mistake, just as well as ! know
Trench believes what he has writ.
ten. Tom, | sent for you to see ii you
couldn't get time to 60 up. | can't
Say slowly. its darned funny, but
Die, went up there two days ago 10
interview Trench, and | haven't heard
word from him since. was wonder.
ing where he had dropped to when
that letter blew in
How" Kingbury's glance turned
to the envelope, noting it was not
stamped.
Trench's nece and friend, Miss
Holcomb, came in here with it. They
are going back tomorrow, as the letter
says, and | was to send any word by
them"
kngsbury nodded as he turned to
reread the letter.
Say, Horace. | knew Dick Mac
Lean all through college. Good Lord,
it can't be true, Where are the facts
Why doesn't Trench tell US something
more than that the money is gone?
There isn't blessed thing to 30 ON
in this
Sure. He wouldn't, it's not like
him. The man is a clam That's how
he runs things as he does. No one
ever knows how he's going to jump
until he jumps, and then he has his
plans so well laid and jumps so d
quick. he puts things through
with plenty of coin behind him."
added kingsbury, wfy smile touch
ing his lips
Sure. He's rotten to the core, no
question about that. It's buy and take
up there, and Trench is past master