The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-05-27
The Man Nobody Knew

library and would CONS down
directly. Indeed, he followed almost
on the heels of the messenger.
"Why, hello, Hilliard," he said, rath
err stiltedly. did you want to seq mel
That's too bad-I've got to leave here
in just a couple of seconds to catch
my train. I'm going West tonight"
I'll take you over" said Hillard
shortly. "That'll save you a minute OF
two-and give us time to chat. Ny
cars outside"
"Why-under the circumstances
-" Armstrong; glance was divert
ed. 81 don't think / can let you do
that-take me over, l mean. I'm
going West on a business trip and
don't think it would be very epproprt
ate for you to"
"Oh-you are!" Hilllard felt streaks
of ice coursing along his spine. "How
| far West?"
Armstrong consulted his watch nerv.
| ously.
billiard" he said, IT like to do
| things out in the open. There are
just two reasons why don't think you
really want to invite me to ride down
to the station with you. II I'm wrong,
it's up to you to say so. One of em
is that Rufus Waring has asked me to
stop off at Butte-Tm going good
deal further than that-and look VI
some matters for him. / guess you
| know as well as / do what they are
| :"
Hilliard fumbled his hat. II see
And-the other reasonT
Armstrong suddenly Strengthened ;
and his voice had curious ring to II
"a ring which electrified Hilliard and
awoke the most petrifying alarms
within him.
"But does one ordinarily mention
certain kinds of people-in a ment
club? l don't know how it is whert
you come from-but here, we don't"
Hilliard smiled vapidly; it was thu
| utmost perversity of emotion, for he
knew now why Carol had been so eI
| plicit in her sympathy why she
| had been so meticulous to let hipl
realize that she wanted him as d
| friend; only as friend a. and bert
was Armstrong, concealing with diff
Guilty the triumph he was limiting at
mo" he said harshly. zone doesn't
but there isn't anything to keep Us
from mentioning anybody we like out
side the club, is there?"
| "Why-not that I"
| "Then I'll take you down anyway
said Hilliard. "And let's see If we
can't try to understand each other"
1t took brave man to accept tn,
Offer for billiards. eyes held little tC
recommend their owner as a prudent
driver or as a very pleasant compan
ion. Armstrong, however, was already
putting on his hat
|
They had driven over to the station
in silence. Hilliard, parking the run
about carefully, turned to his passcn
ger.
"We've got ten good minutes" ht
said. your train isn't even in yet
go ahead and talk"
Armstrong, after a momentary de
| lay, put out a conciliating hand. "Olt
man," he said, lets play the rest OF
this out like two sensible people. W.
won't get anywhere by pickering, ant
suppose it won't do any harm for u
TO put all the cards on the table, and
|
course, you haven't known me very
long, and l haven't known you
but suppose, just to help along the un
Outstanding. we take each other al
face value"
| billiard WINGED.
"Well-suppose we do. Then what?'
"Then you can't hold 1t up against
me for stopping off at Butte on my
way out. l haven't any motive in it
promised to do ii as a favor to RUFF
| Waring. 1t isn't q personal issue al
all. / know exactly how it must APP
| pear to you. but E. I'm not that sort
of man, Hilliard. 1 wouldn't have
dreamed of II myself. That's straight y
The masquerader regarded hin
earnestly-and yielded to his eviden'
sincerity.
''Way down Deep" he said, at length
II know you're not. but whats
that for?' He referred to Arm
strong's outstretched hand. "Ohl :,
all right" They shook hands solemn
ly. AT the same time 1t would have
been so perfectly natural for you Il
feel like getting whatever leverag,
| you could"
There's no need of that-now,'
said Armstrong. His smile was proud
and brilliant, and Hilliard withere
under IL.
"Well I wasn't sure"
rfO RE CONTINIJFD1