The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-10-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
Mr.. sprovss Continues 10 Be perp'ex-
Ino, but Puts He Nose 10 the Ground.


Ina, but Puts He Nose 10 the Ground.
Barnes was abroad early. He was
at breakfast when Peter Ames called
up. An inspiration seized him when
the chauffeur mentioned the wholesale
exodus: he hired Peter forthwith and
ordered him to report Immediately
with the car. He was going up TO
Green Fancy for Miss Cameron's
wardrobe.
Two minutes after Peter drove up
70 the Tavern he was on the way back
TO Green Fancy again, and seated be-
side him was Thomas Kingsbury
Barnes. his new master.
There was not a sign Of human life
about the place. Peter accompanied
him upstairs to the room recently oc-
cupied by Miss Cameron.
They found two small leather
trunks, thickiy belabeied. In the room
upstairs. Both were locked.
"You take this one" said Barnes,
"and I will manage the other" He
was In hurry to get away from the
house. There was no telling when the
government agents would descend
upon the place.
Barnes helped Peter TO lift the
trunks into the car and then ordered
him to start at once for Harris Tav-
ern.
"You can return later on for your
things" he said.
81 got 'em tied up in bundle In the
garage. Mr.. Burns" he said. Wont
take second TO get 'em out He
hurried around the corner Of the
house.
A dry. quiet chuckle fell upon
Barnes ears. lie glanced about In sur
prise and alarm. No one was In sight.
"Look up. young man." and the
startled young man obeyed. His gaze
halted at a window on the second
story. almost directly over his head.
Mr.. Sprouse was looking down upon
him, his sharp features fixed In a sar-
donic grin.
"well. I'll be d." burst from
Barnes lips.
surprised to see me, Ell? II you're
not in a hurry, I'd certainly appreciate
lift as far as the Tavern, old man.
I'll be down In n jiffy. Stand aside !
I'm going to drop" A moment later
lightly to the ground eight feet below.
"See. here, Sprouse or whatever
your name is"
Better hear me out" broke in
Sprouse calmly. II could drill a hole
through you so quickly you'd never
know what did It," he went on. His
hand was In his coat pocket, and n
quick glance revealed TO Barnes a sim
gularly impressive angle In the cloth,
the point Of which seemed to be direct
ed squarely at his chest. But I'm
not going to do 1t. l just want to set
myself straight with you. In a word,
/ never got anywhere near the room
In which the jewels were hidden. This
is Gods truth, Barnes. / wasn't the
only one who was trying to get the
baubles, my friend. 1t was n game in
which only the best man could win"
II know the truth now about Room
and Paul" said Barnes significantly.
"You dor sneered Sprouse. "Tll
bet you a thousand to one you do not.
The girl was led to believe that they
were a couple Of crooks and that they
fixed me in that tavern down there.
Isn't that what she told you? Well,
that story was cooked up for her spe-
cial benefit. Room was the Baron He'd
lund. Hedlund came up here week
or so ago TO keep a lookout for his
wife. The baroness is supposed TO be
deeply enamored of Prince Ugo. He
found letters which seemed 10 indicate
that she was planning to join the
prince up here. When he heard of the
arrival Of a lady at Green Fancy the
other afternoon. he got busy. admit
that l am the gentleman who tele-
phoned the warning up to the prince.
They tried to head the baron and his
man Off at the crossroads. but he