The Hope pioneer., 1921-04-14

Ihat settles one question:, COM
mented Doctor Paul, grimly. "You
shot Devon, Reggie" and the boy sank
into chair beside his mother. snow"
continued the doctor, ''who robbed the
safe?'.
To know that her mother hadn't
done the shooting relieved but one Of
Tonnibel's worries. Uriah wasn't hurt
much anyway, but the doctors ques-
ton brought wildly to her mind an
other danger, not a whit less serious.
Edith was certainly involved in looting
the safel
II told you once" Tony began
weakly. 49,
"Child," tnterposed Doctor Paul,
you'll shield no one else. shudder
to think what might have happened II
your mother hadn't come here for her
husband"
His tones were low and stern,
though much moved.
His eye caught sight of the black
bag at the same time his brothers did.
Doctor John opened it and, amid an
appalling silence, took box after box
out of it.
"Plain stealing" he growled, and
then he stared at Mrs. Devon in open
mouthed amazement. "What'd you
bring 'em back for?" he questioned.
Edith paid no attention to Doctor
Johns query but addressed her hus-
band.
"Urtah. now you went and done it
again" She turned to Doctor Paul.
'You got everythin' back, give me my
man. He didn't know what he was
doin', SIR"
"Then he'll be taught a lesson, the
same as Reginald will, madam" re-
Joined the doctor. "Ever since your
daughter came to us, she's been in
dread Of your husband, her father.
Once he was sent away, and she had
peace. This time he won't come back
in hurry"
Doctor John reached into the drawer
Of the table near him and produced
the roll Of bills that Philip had found
on Devon the night before.
AO" 0OOuI (AkSS yOuS uS lu4UyISu
of Devon. "Where'd this come from
before it was in your pocket? While
we're at 1t, we might as well clear up
everything"
The center of interest, Uriah Devon
shifted uneasily In his chair. He had
discovered the loss Of the money but
had not dared to make any inquiry
about 1t. Hastily he ran over the sit
uation, and it appeared to him as hope
less as possible, but five thousand dol
lars was good thing for a man to
have, whatever his position. If Mrs.
Curtis claimed the money, her connec-
tion with him would come out, and
that might make things easier for him.
If she didn't, he'd have the cash any
how.
"That's mine, mister" he grunted,
"and didn't steal it, neither. Give it
to me-"
The same considerations had been
chasing through Mrs. Curtis mind,
and, in the general cataclysm that she
saw before her, she concluded the
luOACy AAA6At OS NOly ACCCoSuIy 1OI
her and her children.
"Don't let him have it, John," she
screamed. "1t's mine. Give it to me-"
Doctor John arose and stood be-
tween Uriah and Mrs. Curtis, holding
the roll Of bills in his hand. Amidst
the closest attention of the rest Of the
group, he looked from one to the other,
while the claimants indulged in dis
pute.
"You give it to me, didn't you,
ma'am?" asked Uriah, roughly.
"Didn't you?
"Yes, suppose I did," she acknowl-
edged, ''but you haven't done what you
said you would"
"'Twasn't my fault" Uriah grum-
bled. IF that fool Of a son of yours
hadn't butted in and shot me, I'd tax.
en- Tony like bargained to-"
Then Doctor Paul interposed, and
a few questions, sternly put and cate
gorically answered, discovered the
whole conspiracy between Mrs. Curtis,
her children. and Uriah Devon.
OOAA L VCus WAOSV du6SE lldu
been steadily rising, suddenly stepped
forward and brushed his brother aside.
"Ill take charge Of this now, Paul."
he stated. you're too id easy.
Here's where you treacherous snakes
(, go to JAIL" he included Uriah and the
Curtises in a sweep Of his hand "Ev.
cry one of you!" He turned savagely
upon Reginald. "You little pup" he
charged swiftly. "you tried to poison
Paul, didn't you?" He crossed to his
side and lowered over him with up.
raised fist. "Own up, d-n you. Didn't
you?"
Reginald covered, slipped out of his
chair and attempted to shield himself
in Mrs. Curtis arms, who leaned pro-
tsctingly over him.
Ill was drunk" he excused him
self, "and thought" he whimperet
to his mother, II thought you wanted
me to-"