Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-01-23

| window, but there was mirth in her
| voice as she made answer:
II think now that the question you
put to me-"
'Is impertinent," nodded Tom.
''T'm guilty, shall say no more.
Man is forever putting his foot in it,
| and woman walks over him. It's not
unpleasant, though, having it DONE"
"You speak from experience, l pre-
sume," laughed the girl, and she was
| gone," with nod of her dark head.
| Kingsbury stood perfectly still
watching the swaying portieres.
Finally he turned and went over to
the window. AS. he moved his glance
| took in the room, and to his surprise
he found the furnishings rich, but of
excellent taste.
Some way, he hadn't expected 1t,
although the thought that his ideas
were going to receive shock had
been coming to him during the trip
from Boston.
OF Trench he knew nothing, save
as he recalled hearing the mans
name in connection with New Hamp-
shire politics. He had expected to find
an over-ostentatous house which in
O. erything would bespeak the man
who had made his money through
graft.
Half an hour on the train had been
enough to make him ask himself if he
We're not wrong; glimpse of Trenchs
home made doubt a certainty. If the
man himself came up to the mark of
his surroundings, Kingsbury would be
ready to admit he had made a wrong
guess.
Such thought occupied his mind
above the contents of Trench's letter
for the very simple reason that Tom
was sure there was some big mistake;
so certain was he that Dick MacLean
had not stolen fifty thousand dollars
and decamped.
Once again his impressions (convic-
tions might be better in this case), re-
ceived Il rude shock. Edith came back,
beckoned him into. the hall and in
moment he faced Trench and had
shaken hands - awlSwardly, Trench
perforce using his left-with the man
who had maze such serious accusa-
tion against his best friend.
"Well?" questioned the politician
and motioned toward a chair as he
returned to his mouth, his hand went
deep into his pocket, and his little
round eyes rested inquiringly upon his
caller.
'l've come in answer to your letter
to Mr.. Franklin" explained the
lawyer. LAS your niece has doubtless
explained, Franklin couldn't come
himself. He asked me to look into the
matter"
"Oh," nodded Trench, and again
well"
The mans limited vocabulary net
tied Kingsbury.
Well" he retorted, "I fancy it is
up to you to say more than that, Mr..
Trench. You have made rather
serious charge against Mr.. MacLean.
I've come to find out what it means"
Wasn't my letter to Franklin
clear?"
"As far as it went. You simply
stated that you wanted Mr.. MacLean
to come to Concord at once, that he
| had lifted fifty thousand dollars of
your money and decamped. It's pre-
posterous. I've known Dick MacLean
for years. He wouldn't touch cent
Of your money, or anybody else's."
/ IN,
King3bury's tone, which was not lost
upon the silent man sitting deep in his
| chair.
"Known MacLean for years."
nodded the politician. "I've known
him less time than that. and I'm as
thunderstruck as you seem to be-
| Facts are facts, however"
"Give me the facts"
"Why?"
"WiyY" exploded Tom. Good
Heavens. Kan, what did you write
| that letter tor? I'm here TO straightep
This matter out"
"Then you've got your work cut
out for you," came the grim retort.
Ilingsbury could have gotten mad
On the instant. but he knew II was
folly to do so. Instead he looked
Trench up and down. and the politician
returned the examination. Each man
seemed bent on delving deep into the
others makeup: as If they both rec.
ognized that trial Of wits was about
to follow.
Look here. Mr.. Trench, II you
didn't expect MacLean's- friends to
make some move, why in the name of
Heaven did you write thai note?" Il
IT fancied Franklin might know
where MacLean had gone. More than
that, 1t was, my duty TO let him know.
This isn't a matter for the police. dts
got to be kept quiet"
"Why?"' snapped Kingsbury.
"What was this money, where was IT
stolen. to whom did II belong"
Trench hesitated second. Then
with apparent reluctance. but as II
III. 4 - Il - - A.