The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-09-24

t"ey were justified, when you started
to leave town"
II suppose So" acquiesced Clinton.
Inc fact, however, Is that nothing
was further from my thoughts than
those LOwrie bonds"
FRANKLY" said BENIN, what puz-
zles me is that you wished to 60 at all.
You had agreed to stay, and we were
all trying our best to treat you we'll"
presume the police searched nv
suitcase" irrelevantly observed Clin-
ton: 70 tell BENIN about Amy's visit
TO his room was unthinkable.
| BENIN took out cigarette before re-
plying: "One can usually count on
their committing such impertinences,
take 1t. Though, if they opened your
case, they must have been rather cley-
er In their work. 1t seemed to be Sc
curely locked"
You left it at Miss Lowrle's7"
"Yes."
mat was very kind Of you"
Don't mention it / say, old man,
i've been wanting to talk with you
about your-er-about Miss Amy"
Il fail to take you" said Clinton.
You forget that l am not your friend,
VIII Lowrie."
Friend" muttered BENIN. he
forced a smile. you're the one that
has forgotten your identity. But, un-
luckily for me, you still retain an i'm
presslon-or, as Doctor Kirkland
would say, a subconscious memory-of
your opposition to me-"
Must 1 repeat"
mo. Yet you cannot deny you have
this feeling, this prejudice against me,
with regard to Amy"
"You refer to Miss Lowrie, pre-
sumo"
Deuce take itW exclaimed BENIN.
Haven't 1 stood your friend in this
police affair? Am l not entitled to
some consideration from your
Every WE'LL" said Clinton. "Now If
you will kindly proceed to elucidate
what you are driving at"
"Right-O! We're getting down to
bedrock" replied BENIN. You're
listening to me as her brother; you
have my word that I am not so friv-
Olous or-fast-as I am said to be;
and you know how I regard your sis
ter. may not be as desirable q match
as some; but am eligible, as you
know, and though I seem to be doing
nothing, really am engaged in a
serious and ambitious vocation"
zone moment" said Clinton. "You
Insisted that I play the part of Miss
Lowrie's brother; but l have not asked
for any condolences from you. Kindly
remember that you are speaking to a
stranger"
Indeed? Really now, you can't
! fancy you can shunt me off the track
| at this stage Of the game" scoffed
BENIN. "a man In your situation
might be expected to catch at hints
Perhaps your head really Is added.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt"
Thanks" said Clinton.
IF it Is not added you certainly
are a cool one" rejoined BENIN.
Don't you realize what a hole you
are in over those bonds? Admitting
for the sake of the argument that you
remember nothing about them, will
explain that 1 know enough Of what
you did to-put you through"
Most kind Of you to tell me, Mr..
BENIN"
Bemm's gray-brown eyes lost their
deceptive shallowness. Clinton looked
into their depths and saw the
man behind the jester. His steely
glance struck flint instead of rubber.
But Bemm's voice was very soft:
you see, old man, it is still mat.
ter between friends. All you need do
Is to find the bonds, or their equiva-
lent in money. If they have been dis
posed of. Doctor Kirkland believes
you were irresponsible. If you have
used any of the-er-proceeds, there's
no doubt he will advance you the
amount If that is done-the bank re-
imbursed, y'know-the bank will &C.
cept his theory of your mental condi-
ton, and will allow the matter to be
hushed up. This is provided I forget
certain facts that, if recalled by me,
would knock the doctors hypothesis
into a cooked hat"
"So-you remember certain facts"
muttered Clinton.
my dear VIII, let us say that do
not now remember them. One may
easily forget, where friend is con-
cerned. All ask is that you, in turn,
show your friendship by intimating
the situation to Am-er-Miss Lowrie.
Nothing raw, y'know. Just a hint
She admits that she likes me, and you
know how she is. A word from you
in my favor, and she would at once"
For all his quickness, BENIN was
not quick enough to elude the hand
that shot out to clutch his collar. He
pulled back TO free himself. In the
same instant Clinton rose over him,
white with anger. Without word,
Clinton jerked him to his feet, whirled
him around and rushed him to the
haad of the norch stems C1intnn'S