Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-05-29

N''A A> "oS
acutely aware of ali intense stare lev
cled at him from behind by the land
lord of Harris Tavern. Half way up
the stairway he stopped short and
with difficulty repreSSed the exclama-
ton that rose to his lips.
He had recalled a significant Incl.
dent of the night before. Almost i'm
mediately after the departure of Room
and Paul from the Tavern Putnam
Jones had made his way to The tele-
phone behind the desk and had called
n number in a loud, brisk voice, but
the subsequent conversation was car
ried on in subdued tones, attended by
haste and occasional furtive glances
in the direction of the taproom.
Upon reaching his room Barnes per-
mitted the suppressed emotion to
escape his lips in the shape of a soft
whistle, which if it could have been
translated'into words would have said:
by Cad, why haven't I thought of it
before? He sent out the warning that
Room and Paul were on the way! And
I'd like to bet my last dollar that
someone at Green Fancy had the other
end of the wire"
Mr.. Rushcroft was giving Hamlet's
address to the players, in the tap
room when Barnes came downstairs
at nine O'Clock.
A small dorE man u,bo COT olo,. -.
a table in the corner caught Barnes
eye and smiled almost mournfully.
He was undoubtedly a stranger; his
action was meant tO convey to Barnes
the information that he 90 was from
a distant and sophisticated community
and that a bond of sympathy existed
between them.
Putnam Jones spoke suddenly at
Barnes shoulder. He started inyol-
UNFAIRLY. The man was beginning to
get on his nerves. He seemed to be
logging his footsteps with ceaseless
persistency.
THAT Teller over there in the cor
ner," said Jones softly, sis a book
agent from your town. He sold me a
set of Dickens when he was here last
time, about six weeks ago. A years
subscription to two magazines throwed
in. BY gosh, these book agents are
slick ones"
"He's a shrewd-looking chap" COM
mented Barnes.
Says he won't be satisfied till he's
made this section of the country the
most cultured, refined spot in the Unit
ed States" said Jones dolefully. "Ex-
cuse me. There goes the telephone.
Maybe its news from the sheriff."
With the spasmodic tinkling of the
telephone bell the book agent arose
and made his way to the little office.
Barnes glanced over his shoulder a
moment later and saw him studying
the register. The poise of his sleek
head, however, suggested q listening
attitude. Putnam Jones, not four feet
away, was speaking into the telephone
receiver. As the receiver was re-
stored to its hook Barnes turned
again. Jones and the book agent were
examining the register, their heads
almost meeting from opposite sides of
the desk.
The latter Strengthened up, stretched
his arms, yawned, and announced in a
loud tone that he guessed he'd stop
out and get a bit of fresh air before
turning In.
"Any newsT inquired Barnes, ap-
preaching the desk utter the door had
closed behind the book agent.
ut wasn't the sheriff." replied Jones
shortly, and Immediately resumed his
interrupted discourse on books and
book agents. Ten minutes elapsed be
fore the landlords garrulity was
checked by the sound Of an automobile
coming to a stop in front Of the house.
Barnes turned eypectantly toward the
door. Almost Immediately the car
started again, with a loud shifting of
gears, and a moment later the door
opened to admit, not n fresh arrival
but the little book agent.
(To Be Continued.)
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