The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-09-02

| Ties NE is That you wished 10 go at all.
You had agreed to stay, and we were
| all trying our best 10 treat you Well"
II presume the police searched my
! suitcase" irrelevantly observed Gin
ton. To tell BENIN about Amy's visit
To his room was unthinkable.
BENIN took out cigarette before re-
| plying: zone can usually count on
their committing such impertnences,
| take 1t. Though, If they opened your
case, they must have been rather clev-
| er in their work. 1t seemed TO be Sc
curely locked"
"You left II at Miss Lowrie's?"
"Yes."
THAT was very kind of you"
Don't mention it l say. old man,
I've been wanting to talk with you
about your-er-about Miss Amy"
81 fail TO take YOU" said Clinton.
You forget that l am not your friend,
Will Lowrie."
Friend" muttered BENIN. He
forced 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. subconscious memory-of
your opposition to me-"
Must repeat"
mo. Yet you cannot deny you have
this feeling, this prejudice against me,
with regard to Amy"
"You refer to Miss Lowria I pre-
sumo"
deuce take II !" exclaimed BENIN.
Haven't l stood your friend in this
police affair? Am I not entitled to
some consideration from your"
Every WELL" 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 am not so friv-
Olous or-fast-as l am said TO be;
and you know how regard your sis
ter. may not be as desirable match
as some; but l am eligible, as you
know, and though seem to be doing
nothing, l really am engaged in
serious and ambitious vocation"
Zone moment" said Clinton. "You
insisted that play the part of Miss
Lowrle's brother; but 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 1t 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, l will
explain that / know enough of what
you did to-put you through"
"Most kind of you to tell me, Mr..
BENIN"
Bemms 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 ac-
cept his theory of your mental condi-
ton, and will allow the matter to be
hushed up. This is provided forget
certain facts that, If recalled by me,
would knock the doctors hypothesis
into 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 a friend is con-
cerned. All | ask is that you, In turn,
show your friendship by intimating
the situation TO Am-er-MlSS 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 a word,
Clinton jerked him to his feet, whired
him around and rushed him to the
head of the porch steps. Clnton's
shoe assisted his flight down the
steps.
The audaclty even Elore rhaA the
suddnness Of the attack had para
lyzed Bemm's power Of resistance. The
spell was broken by the shock Of his
landing on the hard cement walk at
the foot Of the steps. He scrambled