Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-01-16

the envelope, and drew a 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 teIe-
phone and called number.
"Tom," he questioned, as he got his
connection, "can you beat it for
here?"
"Sure! Almost time to shut up
shop for the day." agreed Kingsbury.
Thomas Kingsbury, who had been
one of MacLean's classmates at Har
| ward, and who was now engaged in
building up a legal practice in Boston,
| was in Franklin's office inside of ten
| minutes.
Franklin passed over Trench,s let
ter without G word
Kingsbury. depositing his six-feet
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
straight at his friend.
What do you think of that" came
the newspaperman's demand.
TITS D. lie!" snapped Kings
bury. "MacLean thief Trench?
Trench?" questioningly. "The New
Hampshire boss?"
Franklin nodded. 81 said the same
thing when read that; damned lie.
But Trench = if 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.
II do know that there must be some
rotton mistake, just as we'll as know
Trench believes what he has writ
ten. Tom. sent for you to see if you
couldn't get time to go up. l can't
Say" slowly. its darned funny, but
Die went up there two days ago to
interview Trench, and haven't heard
a word from him since. was wonder.
Ing where he had dropped to VIXEN
that letter blew in"
"How?" Kingburys glance turned
stamped.
Trenchs neice and a friend, Miss
Holcomb. came in here with 1t. They
are going back tomorrow. as the letter
says. and l was to send any word by
them"
Kingsbury 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 go ON
in this
"Sure. He wouldn't. it's not like
him. The man is 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. wry 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
at the ;.rt of knowing a mans price
and getting him where he has to SELL"
"A CRATER" sneered Kingsbury.
well, yes. But clever one, and
Trench has white streaks in his make.
up. He'll stand by his friends, but his
enemies-Lord help them! It's said
that he never forgets a man who has
done him rotten turn, and will wait
years to get his comeback"
Kinssbury nodded. his glance tray
cling to the open window.
i've case in court tomorrow. l
can get it put over, / guess. Charlie
Strong will look after it for me.
Where is this niece of Trench's? I'd
like TO ask her thing or two"
"She doesn't know anything, that
letter says SO. Get Strong: We'll take
care of any costs, II you'll see what
that means. Why Tom, Dick was in
line for the city editors job! This
thing has got to be worked in the
dark. no leaks. and the truth landed.
I'd go good Lord, I'd do anything
for Dick MacLean - but it's out of
the question for me to get away"
"Sure," nodded Kingsbury, rising
to his full height and squaring his
broad shoulders. "Say, I'd like to
have go at that niece of Trench's.