Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-09-21
CHAPTER xv-consinusd.

l
"a.
He came nimbly around the turn in
the narrow path. with another man
ana Ellen and Mrs. Kirkland In line
close behind him. BENIN uttered a
stified exclamation and staggered back
still farther TO the side Of the opening.
Doctor Kirkland strobe out of the path
to confront him, saw the prisoner. and
stopped as If transfixed.
The prisoner did not see him. He
was staring at the man who had
stepped from behind the dumfounded
physician. The man recoiled against
Ellen and Mrs. Kirkland. He glared
at the prisoner. Ellen and Mrs. Kirk
land looked at the prisoner and
shrieked. Amy raised her head and
stared wildly from the man before her
to the man whose arm was about her
| shoulders.
| They were the same! yet not
the same. 1t was not alone that one
had mustache and the other was
clean shaven; that one WAS thinner
and paler. Now that they stood face
to face 1t could be seen that there was
perceptible difference In height and
breadth, in the shade of the hair, in
the tint Of the blue eyes; while in the
bearing and expression of the two
were worlds of difference.
He of the mustache was first of all
the astounded group to find his voice.
"Jovew he calculated. "Jovel NO
wonder you were so certain. We're
as like as brothers,"
"As twins!" spluttered Doctor Kirk
land. "Of all cases Of doubles! Yet
I've heard of such resemblanees."
snow that you see Mr.. Lowrie here
before me in the flesh, perhaps you
| will believe me when / say 1 am my
self-Richard Clinton"
"ClintonT muttered BENIN. "Then
you are motifs he?"
"Of coursew exclaimed Mrs. Kirk
land.
Are you biindT' scoffed Ellen, clasp
ing an arm about her lovers neck In
absolute certainty.
Amy, suddenly conscious of Clinton's
arm. uttered cry. and fled away
down the garden.
Clinton whirled to sprint after her:
only to check himself at sight of
Bemm's upjerking pistol
Halt" commanded the detective.
you may not be VIII Lowrie; but
those bonds and that bank deposit In
Chicago"
Don't be fool, BENIN, even If you
are a detective" testify admonished
DR.. Kirkland. Here are the bonds"
He opened the envelop and spread
out the contents for Bemm's inspec-
ton. BENIN looked at them and then
there" he said. But the fact remains
they were taken from the safe deposit
box. This man must have dope it. ]
found the key in his pocket"
81 had on suit of Mr.. Lowrie's
clothes" stated Clinton. You must
have found the key in that suit, not
my own"
"And l did not leave the bonds In
the box" Will Lowrie spoke for the
first time. You may remember that
suggestion you made when we were
motoring from Pueblo"
81 remember no suggestion" denied
BENIN.
"You do not? Yet it was that which.
In my neurasthenic condition, caused
all the trouble. l took 1t seriously.
That was why told you had put the
bonds In safe deposit box. To carry
that out.4I had rented box. But in
stead of leaving the bonds In 1t. | hid
them in the abandoned brickyard pit
out near City Park. You see. because
Of that suggestion Of yours was NOR
bfdly fearful lest you might take
them"
az? Take them? What do you
mean?" stammered BENIN, flushing
darkly.
Hal" exploded DR.. Kirkland. "You
redden-and the color came first to
your ears, not your eyes. You should
know what that means. And you never
mentioned the fact that VIII told you
about the safe deposit box. Mr.. BENIN
Mr.. Detective BENIN, | advise you to
put up that pistol and go to the bank
and to police headquarters without de-
lay. My future son-in-law must be
at once cleared from the stigma of all
that is implied by that warrant. Go"
BENIN thrust the pistol into his
pocket and went.
10 fnd NJ nh
Clinton, with a swift change to digni-
fed apology: "Sir, If you can forgive
the Grass stupidity of an over-contident
psychopathist-"
"Say no more, doctor!" interrupted
Clinton. "In view of this remarkable
resemblance between myself and Mr..
Lowrie--"
Indeed. yes, papa !' exclaimed Ellen,
hiding her face behind the shoulder
of her fiance IF anyone, it's for him
to apologize for letting me"
"What's thatf" aggressively demand
ed Lowrie. and ne frowned ut Clinton.
did that man take advantage of his
resemblance when with you?"
my dear WILL" tactfully interposed
Mrs. Kirkland, 'quite the contrary. 1t
was he who insisted-come back into
the house. We shall tell you every
thing"
"Well, If he did not" the Modified
lover lowered his crest "We shall all
go in. But how about Amy?"
DIR. Kirkland noted Clinton's face,
and diagnosed its expression with a
flash of his real shrewdness. Mr..
Clinton may be willing to fetch Amy"
he suggested.
"O-o-oh," Ellen drew in her
breath. "Now / understands
sWhat?" asked viii Lowrie.