Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-03-13

ing to make me come over. Money,
yes. fancy they think they can
frighten me by taking pot-shots.
Really, you know, this arm" raising
his still bandaged member. "was
never intended. Those fellows are
just shooting to try and back up
bluff. In the garden he fired too true.
Why. man alive" swinging about and
glancing at the window little to his
right, mo one could have hit me,
firing from the cottage over there!"
Miss Holcomb was at the window.
They might have shot at her."
Trench swung back, facing Kings
bury. 1.-THE best answer to that is
that he didn't come within mile of
his mark. I've looked, from the va
cant yard below. The bullet went in.
to the caves of this building. Do you
think you'd have made such a poor
shot as that? Not much"
"What are these men after?" de-
manded Tom. why are they so
anxious to frighten you."
"a little matter that is neither here
nor tleTe, SIulltu JeTEy.'
Despite the indefinite reply to this
question Trench showed, upon the
whole, frankness with Kingsbury
that made the lawyer question wheth-
er he had not been wrong in feeling
the politician was holding anything
back.
From every angle the situation was
discussed, and vet nothing new
brought to light. Trench admitted he
hoped for news; insisted his men,
who were hunting, could do more
than the police and, with the situation
no clearer than at the first, Kingsbury
finally took his departure.
He headed straight for Cruthers's
office. 1t was true that he was grow
ing more and more confident that
Trench was playing fair with him, and
yet he was not going to allow such
impressions to interfere with his OBJ
tanning any information that might
help.
Surprise had come to him before
now in lawsuits, and he wasn't, much
going to be overstartled If he dis
covered Cruthers had good grounds
for the charges he had made against
the political boss.
Cruthers WAS not in when Tom ar.
rived, but after half an hours wait
.he tall, nervously active man came
hurriedly through the door.
He s!.ot sharp, questioning look
at Tom and went on into ais private
office. Ilis clerk followed him and, in
Il few moments, reappeared and nod
ded to Kin.sbury.
well SIR" questioned Cruthers.
what can ! do for you?"
Possibly you have made guess"
suggested Tom. "Tm up here look.
Ing for friend. Mr.. MacLean. I'm
an attorney. as my card has told you.
and the News office wants ME to find
out what has happened to their re-
porter" l.4
YES" nodded Cruthers. his lips
set hard. "'ve understood that was
what you were in town for"
has claimed your attention"
why shouldn't it? What do you
know? How much has that shark,
told you?"
"Mr. Trench has been rather ex.
plicit, hut he may not have gone as
far as he could have. don't know
The man. Is II his natural inclination
TO be brief and say little. or do you
suppose he Is holding things back?"
Cruthers's lips curled in a nasty
sheer. well. il yon can, guess, you
can't expect me 10 do i, Tor you"
Toms lips parted in slow smile.
III you fancy Pa here TO get you 10
make some statement against Trench.
let me tell you sir. that you are
wrong. I'm "A personal friend of Mac.
Leans want the truth. no matter
whom it hits. In fact, what ] want
is to find MacLean, nothing more"
NO" snapped Cmthers. you
don't give hang for" and he paus.
ed abruptly.
You were going to say for the
money that Is missing" supplied Tom.
Cruthers swung about sharply and
bent forward. You know about
that?" he demanded.
81 know that MacLean got that
package from the bank and has van
ished."
And do you know" roared the
white.faced lawyer that he took 1t
at Jerry Trench's osders?"
II do not. would be glad Of
proof"
Cr,uhers leaned back and mopped
his damp foreheads For moment he
said nothing. his eyes narrow in con-
sideration.
I'm not saying MacLean stole that
money" he went on, speaking now
very slowly. I'm fact, ! have an idea
that he didn't know what was in the
package. But" and he pointed one
finger at Tom, II do know that
Trench sent him for It and Trench got
IT,"