The Elbert County tribune., 1918-02-08
ConIey & coniey and had sent in his

Conley & Conley and had sent In his
card requesting an interview.
The interview" was readily grant
ed, but surprise swung to instant dis
may when Jimmy fairly hurled ques-
ton at the younger man. do you
know Madge MinturnT
OF course young Conley swore he
had never heard of the girl-but as
tute Jimmy noticed that the match
with which the lawyer was lighting his
cigarette had fiickered out very sud-
| denly-but not before 1t burned the
trembling fingers which were holding
| 1t.
A tiny bit of evidence that-but jim
my, the sleuth, knew 1t was worth fol-
lowing up. and when half an hour Ia
ter Richard Conley hurried into the
Grand Central and embarked on train
for Blue Cove, Jimmy was close on his
tracks.
Conley took the second of the towns
supply of ramshackle cabs, and Jimmy
had to purchase an even more ram
shackle bicycle. AS you know, he
passed me on my return to the station
but as you do not know, he turned
to wave farewell and blow me an
audacious kiss.
"That kiss didn't get me much, Miss
Beatrice" laughed Jimmy. Nothing
but an encounter with a stone and
tumble which smashed none of my ribs
but all of the bicycles vital organs. L
had to go on foot efter that and by the
time l caught up with my quarry he
was coming out of the woods, and 1
concluded that he had finished his in
terview with the girl-but / was in
time to see another interview begin.
"Conley bumped into queer look
ing chap. i found out later that he's
the village character-some of them
call him looney and some of them say
he's hermit but all the brave inhnbi-
tants of Blue Cove seem little afraid
of him.
Jimmy had discovered this much and
that the chaps name was Harry VIII
kins.
"And have bunch, Miss Beatrice,
that Harry wilkins and Richard Con-
ley went through some transaction
that BODIED very little good for your
friend, Madge Minturn'
do you remember just where Con-
ley and wilkins went?" 1 asked.
Eyes, and that's where we're bound.
You're going to see a tumble-down
little cabin which houses an absolute
renegade. And / think there'l be
rather startling denouement and
crusher for the plans of Wilkins,
Conley and Company" And more than
that Jimmy refused to say.
In lonely nook of the woods we
came upon the cabin. Jimmy hid me
behind clump of bushes and hurried
forward alone.
Suddenly a sound came to my ears.
1t was woman's shriek-a call for
help in a voice which sounded definite
ly familiar.
Automatically rushed out from
hiding and hurried toward the cabin.
AS Jimmy turned the knob of the door
there was one wild, agonized scream
which became suddenly muffled and
was followed by thick pail of silence.
A second more and I was the wit
ness of wild struggle. wilkins was
fighting with the physical strength a
man whose mental ability is far below
par often displays. 1t took all Jimmy's
science to master him. But at last he
conquered.
In a corner of the cabin crouched
Madge, sobbing violently that we had
come just in time. and that If we had
been a minute later there would have
been tragic story for the journalist
to tell the world.
But my baby, Miss Falrfax-make
him find my baby. If anything's hap
pened to little Richard I'm going to
kill myself"
"Wilkins," said Jimmy, sternly, sit
will be just as well for you If nothing
unpleasant has happened to little
Richard. First, wen find him, and
then you'll give little explanation of
your performance this afternoon. 1
think l can guess just about what it
has been, but won't do any guessing.
You'll talk and I'll take down in writ
ing avery word you say. Now march,
and be quick about it."
The frightened creature obeyed al
most automatically. Sheer terror had