Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-20

heiels continued Bryce.
No. he. didn't--he hadn't the least
idea OF It, responded Harker.
Had you--then" asked Bryce.
"No--not until later--a little later"
replied Harker
You found It out at Barthorpe?"
suggested Bryce.
hereafter Brake was dead" said |
Harker. II went to Barthorpe on quite
dinerent business-Brake's business"
s.,aI,% Al = said Bryce. He looked the old |
better tell me all about IT," he added
II we're both going to tell each other
an about IT," stipulated Harker.
That's settled" assented Bryce.
Harker smoked thoughtfully for a
moment and seemed to be thinking.
| I'D better go back to the beginning"
ne SAID But, first-what do you know
to Barthorpe to find out what you could
how far did your searches take your
| II know that Brake married a girl
from Braden Medworth, that he took
OF branch bank that he got into
trouble. and was sentenced to ten years
penal servitude," answered Bryce, to-
gether with some small details into
which we needn't go at present"
We'll as long as you know all that,
| there's a common basis and a common
starting point" remarked Harker, 80
| III begin at Brakes trial. II was who
no bother. He'd been taken unawares
by an inspector of the bank. He'd a
considerable deticiency-couldn't make
1t good.--couldn't or wouldn't. explain
| except by half-sullen hints that he'd
been cruelty. deceived. There was no de:
fense,-couldn't be. His counsel said
I've read the account OF the trial."
|
| "All right--then you know as much
as ] can tell you on that point" said
Harker; He got, as you say, ten years:
and asked him II there was anything |
could do for hm-about his wife and
children. I'd never seen them--I arrest
ed him at the bank. and, Of course. he
was never out of custody after that.
his wife and children were being looked
after. heard, incidentally. that his
| wife had left home. or was from home
there was something mysterious about
it--either as soon as he was arrested or
before. Anyway, he said nothing. and
from that moment never set eyes on
him again until met him in the street
when ne came to the Mi:re. I knew him
at once--and he knew me. We met under
one OF those big standard lamps In the
market place Il was following my
usual practice of having an evening
walk, last thing before going to bed.
And we stopped and stared at each
other Then he came forward with his
hand out, and we SHOOK hands This
is an odd thing he ss,d; You're the
very man wanted TO find Come some
where. where it's quiet. and let me have
a word with you Sol brought him
here"
Bryce was all attention now--for once
he was devoting all his faculties to tense
and absorbed ooncentratio on what
another man could tell leaving refiec;;
tons and conclusions on what he heard
ker II told him I'd been retired and
was living here, as he saw, alone,
, asked him no questions about himself
: could see he was a well dressed, ap'
parenty well-to-do man. And present.!
he began to tell me about himself. Ht
said that after he'd finished his term ne
left England and for some tine ,,tas traVeieG eG
had gone thence to New Zealand and
afterward to Australia. where he'd set
, tied down and begun speculating Y
I Yes, he said. he'd done very nicely-ant
then he gave me quiet dig in the ribs
I'll tell you one thing rye done. Har
ker.' he said. You were very polit,
, trouble, so I don't mind telling you;
paid the bank every ptnny. Of tha
0 money they lost through my foolishnes
= at that tirne-every penny, four year
|
y Is il the same name still?' ! said M:
h name ever since ! left England; h
said. is Braden-John BradNn.' yes
Y had one penny of the money I was foo
enough to take for the time being-no
one halfpenny" Who mad It, MI
r Braden?' I asked him, thinking that he
> mind. my lad !! he answered It'll com
= out yet Never mind that. now. I'll teI
II you why wanted TO see you. The fact IL
~ i've only been few hours in England
= so to speak. but I'd thought of you, an
wondered where I could get hold CT 20
" you're the only man of your professlo
s I ever met. you see, he added. with
6 laugh. And ! want bit Of help !
d I've retired but II it's an easy job
k It's one you can do, easy enough, h
r said. It's just this--I met man !
r. Australia who's extremely anxious
e Falkiner Wraye. who halls from Bal
n thorpe, in Leicester. I promised to max
il inquiries for him. Now. have stron
reasons why ! don't want to go nea
> memories and associations for me, an
y I don't want to be seen there. But thi
~ things got to be personal investisato
10 will you go there for me7 III make
o he went on, is to go thsre-see IN
police authorities, town officials any
body that knows the place. and ask ther
e II they can tell you anything OF on
II Falkiner Wraye, who was at one tim
a small estate agent in Barthorpe. lei
e. the place about seventeen years ago
maybe eighteen-and Is believed TO haN
& recently gone back to the neishborhoot
I. That's all. Get what information yo
Of can. and write II to me. care of m
ie bankers In London. Give me sheet {
paper, and I'll put down particulars &c
"a you "
Harker paused at this point and noe
NJ ded his head at an old bureau whc
Ie stood In a corner OF his room.
ct The sheet OF papers there, he sal sal
in IT'S got on It, in his writing, a brit
S. memorandum of what he wanted ar
G. the address OF his bankers When he
given 1t to me. he put his hand in h
pocket and pulled out purse In whit
ed ! could see he was carrying plenty
lie money He took out some notes. Here
st fve;and-twent$X pounds on SSS account Ha
nd a bit. Don't be afraid-plenty mo
a where that comes from. Youll do
soon?' he asked. Yes. I'll do II, NJ
T. Braden answered. It'll be n bit OF
holiday for me- That's all right
ty said. I'm delighted. i came across yo'
tyy Well, you couldn't be more delight
81 than / was surprised | said. I nev
thought to see you in Wrychester. VIII
,e. brought you here. II one may ask
u He laughed at that, and he pulled o
a his purse again III show os you % son son
as bit CT folded paper out of his pur:
20 What do you make OF that| he aske
re Can you read Latin? No--except
m word Of two said. but ] know mi
nd who can All, never mind, said he,
,ts know enough Latin for this,-and it's
,er secret However. 1t won't be seer
- | lonu and you'lI hear all about II Al