Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-12

smoking compartment with Bryce turned
20 ms companion as the train moved
| of again
"Barthorpe7"" he remarked. That's
the place that was mentioned in con.
nection with that very queer affair at
Wrychester. that's been reported In the
papers so much these last few days. The
mysterious stranger who kept 10000
IN London bank, and of whom nobody
| seems to know anything had nothing
on MIN but history of Barthorpe. odd
And yet. though you'd think he'd some
econneotton with the place, or had known
It, they say nobody at Barthorpe knows
anything about anybody of his name"
Well l don't know that there is
anything SO very odd about It. after all"
replied the other man. He may have
picked UP that old book for one of
many reasons that could be suggested.
No-1 read all that case In the papers,
and wasn't so much impressed by the
old book feature Of u. But I'll tell you
know this Barthorpe district--we shall
be In IT In few minutes--Tve been q
gooo deal over 1t. This strange mans
name was given in the papers as John
mile or two outside It, there's u village
of that name-Braden Medworth. That's
a curious coincidence--and taken in con-
junction with the mans possession of an
! old book about Barthorpe-why, per-
haps, there's something in it--possibly
more than l thought for at first"
"Well-its an odd Casa very odd
case, said the first speaker. "And--aS
| there's 10000 In question, more VIII
be heard of It, Somebody'll be after
that, you may be sure"
Bryce left the train at Barthorpe
thanking his good luek-the man in the
far corner had unwittingly given him a
| hint. He would pay a visit to Braden
! Medworth-the coincidence was too
| striking to be neglected But first Bar
thorp'a itself--a quaint, Old-World, little
aNlEn tnl,
the principal houses still wore roofs OF
thatch and wherein the old custom of
ringing the curfew bell was kept UP.
He found an old-fashioned hotel In the
parish church, and in its oak -paneled
| dining room, hung about with portraits
| of masters of foxhounds and queer old
prints of sporting, and coaching days, he
dined comfortably and we'll.
1t was too late to attempt any in
yestigations that evening; and when
Bryce had finished his leisurely dinner
he strolled into the smoking room, an
that which he had just left. 1t was one
Of those rooms only found In very old
| houses--a room Of nooks and corners,
with a great open fireplace and old fur
niture and old pictures and curiosities-,
fashioned tradesmen Of the small pro-
vincial towns still resort of an evening
rather than patronize the modern polit.
ical clubs. There were several men of
this sort in the room when Bryce en-
tered, talking local politics among
themselves and he found a quiet corner
and sat down In It to smoke, promising
himself some amusement from the con-
| yersation around hint was his way to
find interest and amusement in anything
| that offered. But he had scarcely settled
down in n comfortably cushioned elbow
chair when the door opened again and
into the room walked old Simpson Har-
| ker.
Old Harker's shrewd eyes. travelling
round the room as II to inspect the COM
pany in which he found himself, fell
almost Immediately on Bryce-but not
air and look of innocent and genuine
surprise. Harker affected no surprise
at all; he looked the astonishment he
felt as the younger man rose and mo-
which he himself had just previously
taken.
Dear me :" he exclaimed. nodding his
thanks. I'd no idea that I should meet
sir. for WINCHESTER folk to meet in"
I'D no idea Of meeting you. Mr.. Har,,,
ker." responded Bryce. But it's small
world, you know, and there are n good
many condolences in 1t. There's nothing
very wonderful In my presence here.
thought ran down to see after b
| ford"
He had the lie ready as soon as he
set eyes on Harker; and whether tho
old man believed II or not. he showed
no sign Of either belief or disbelief, He
ward and pulled out an old-fnshioned
cigar case, offering It to his companion
viii you try one. doctor?" he asked
Genuine stuff that, sir: I've friend
then. No." he went on. as Bryce thanked
| him and took a cigar, II didn't know
you'd finished with the doctor. Quletish
| place. this to practice in, I should
think; much .quieter even than our
You know it?", inquired Bryce
I've a. friend lives here-old friend
of mine," answered Harker II come
been here since YESTERDAY. He does a
bit of business for me. Stopping long,
doctor?"
only to look round" answered Bryce:
I'm of tomGrroWmli W. td,p o,e!oek" s said
chester for old bones like mine"
"oh. you're all right-worth half
dozen younger men," responded Bryce.
you'll see a lot Of your contemporaries
out, Mr., Harker. Well. as you've treat
ed me to very fine cigar, now you'll
let me treat YOU to a drop Of whisky.
They generally have something of pretty
good quality In these oid-fashioned es-
Establishments, believe"
The two travellers sat talking until
bedtime but neither made any mention
of the affair which had recently set all
WINCHESTER agog with excitement But
Bryce was wondering all the time II his
companions story OF having friend at
Barthorpe was no more than an excuse
and when he was alone In his own bed
room and rejecting more seriously he
came to the conclusion that old Harker
was up to some game Of his own In
connection with the Paradise mystery.
THE old chap was In the library when
Ambrose Campany said that there was
mused II saw him myself examining
the book after the inquest. No, no, Mr..
Harker the facts are too plain; the
evidences too obvious And yet. what
interest has a retired old tradesman OF
WINCHESTER got In this affair? I'd give
good deal to know what Harker really
Is doing here and who his Barthorpe
II Bryce had risen earlier next morn
ing and had taken the trouble to track
old Harker's movements, he would have
learned something that would have
made him still more suspicious. But
Bryce. seeing no reason for hurry lay
in bed till we'll past o'clock. and did
not present himself in the coffee room
until nearly half-past 10 And at that
hour Simpson Harker, who had break
tasted before Q, was In close consulta-
ton with his friend--that friend being
none other than the local superintendent
OF police, who was confidentially closeted
with the old man in his private house,
ment, had repaired as soon as his break
fast was over. Had Bryce been able
to see through walls or hear through
windows. he would have been surprised
to find that the Harker of this consuta-
ton was not the quiet easy-going. gos-