Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-02-27
CHAPTER Kill.
Stranue Actions

Strange Actions
Trench sat perfectly still for some
few minutes after Samuel Cruthers,
vowing fight. and wild with rage at
the politicians insinuations, took his
departure.
Finally he swung about in his re.
volving chair, stuck out foot, and
moved one panel of the screen away
from the cot.
"Feeling better?" he questioned,
ond there was the suspicion of a twin.
kle about his eyes.
Tom Kingsbury, his head swathed
in bandages. had been caught with his
eyes wide open by the quick and
noiseless movement of the screen.
Thanks he nodded. Il sup
pose," glancing about, that I'm in the
Farewell club. Brought up through
the underground entrance?".
mot bad guess" agreed Trench.
Wonder if you can come as near the
facts on another point?"
Kingsbury rolled over and sat up.
His head ached as he had never had
it ache before, and he had an idea it
must be twice it's natural size. He felt
of the bandages, WINGED under the
fingers touch, and peered at Trench.
what point?" he questioned.
"Well," and Jerry's gaze turned to
the ceiling, II was wondering whether
you've made up your mind which of
us to believe"
A faint smile touched Toms lips.
part of a conversation doesn't al
ways enable person to make accu-
rate guesses," he suggested.
mo? Possibly you were too dazed.
Thought when l looked you over be-
fore Cruthers came in that noted
tremor of those eyelids."
perhaps you did," agreed Tom.
Trench looked down then and
smiled. 1t was very evident that he
was highly amused at something.
well, Kingsbury, what's your
guess?"
II don't know" Tom answered
promptly. "Crutbers talked about
signed affidavits. On the other hand
man short on stock CANDLES will do
a lot to pull himself out"
"Quite likely. ] can't say, never
having got the bug. He did lose on
cotton, he did buy on margins"
But you must have more than
that meager fact to make the charge
you did," protested Tom.
Il should, now; that's right. But
7 hoy-on't Enocc vO,, lyunuy fNor Cnp1 n,
times bluff will draw hand into the
discard"
II didn'. see Cruther's face when
he answered vou."
"He was very indignant. He ar'
pearec to be honestly shocked at my
suggestion. really don't know the
man well enough to say whether he is
q good actor or not"
Tom sat straight and eyed Jerry
Trench. But you do know the facts
well enough to tell me. whether bis
charges were true?"
Jerry nodded. Il didn't send Dick
MacLean for that package" he said
slowly.
do you .:now who did?"
Il have tried to guess. | can't lay
hands on the man that suspect, or
I'd have more OF the truth than l pos.
sess just now
I'm other words" urged Tom,
"you do not think Dick stole that
money!
Il wrote Franklin that he had"
k,6.li n
Man alive. Dick MacLeaD wouldn't
do a thing like that"
Trench's regard settled upon Kings.
bury's face. Don't you think ! want
to believe as you dot" he asked.
II do. You know how your niece
feels toward Dick. understand your
position. Are you holding back, keep.
ing the police from looking, because
YOU don't want MacLean caught?"
III MacLean stole that money he
ought to be caught" came the prompt
retOrt. "Oh. don't look at me that
way. ! know what you are thinking.
Cruthers has just pumped mo full Of
that sort OF stun. ! may buy and !
may sell, Kingsbury. but l give man
full value for his money. II you'll
take the trouble to run over my trans.
actions you are likely to discover
that buy only from The man who
would sell to somebody. When they
come down here for the term. looking
for what they can make, I'm here
with the shekels. II they come want.
ing to go home clean, none Of them
can say put the other way in front
OF them"
Kingsbury made sharp gesture.
you're right" nodded Jerry
i've no call to shape defense. and
don't know why I've gone as far as
have to do SO. Never did before.
Say"-sitting up and sending his
cigar at an angle that all but touched
his stub Of nose-"are you feeling
fit to move? It's close to midnight
and my oars downstairs" ~,