Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-20
Gregory Tries Deception


nAsSETr lounged outside the neat
Dpriyct hedge which 1t was Harrison
MilIer's custom to clip with his own
bachelor hands. and waited. And as he
vaitcd he tried to imagine what was
soing on inside. behind the neatly cur
tained windows of the old brick house.
lie was tempted to ring the bell
again, pretend to have forgotten some.
thing, and perhaps happen In on what
might be drama of a rather high order |;
what. supposing the man was Clark
eftcr all. was fairly sure TO be drama.
beynn again his interested survey of
tho premises. Whoever conceived this
sort of haven for Clark. II it were
Clark. had shown considerable shrewd-
ness. Tho town fairly smclt of respec
liability; the tree shaded streets. the
children in socks and small crisp laun-
tlered garments. the houses set back,
each In its square of shaved lawn, all
pcaccful. middle class and uncxciting.
TLc last town in the world for Judson
Clark, the last profession. the last
house, this shabby old brick before him.
lie smiled rather grimly as he re-.
Ascted. that If Gregory had been right
10 his identification. he was. beyond
those windows at that moment. very
possibly warning Clark against himself.
Gregory would know his type. that he
never let so. He drew himself up a
little.
The house door opened. and Gregory
came out. turning toward the station.
Bassctt caught up with him and put n
hand on his arm.
= "wcll?" he said chccrfully. 1T
was. wasn't it!''
Gregory stopped dead and stared at
him. Then:
'"Old log Tray ~ he said snecringly.
"If your brain was as good as your
nose, Bassett. you'd be whale of n
newspaper man."
Don't bother about my brain. It's
working fine today. anyhow. Well,
y what had he to say for himself?'
Ciregorys mind was busy, and he had
had moment to pull himself together.
I'VE both get off together" he said.
more amiably. '"That fellow isn't Jud
Clark, and never was. He's n doctor,
and the nephew of the old doctor there.
They in practice together"
Did you see them both:'
"Yes."
T,assett eyed him. Either Gregory
was a good actor. or the whole trail
ended there after all. He himself had
felt, after his interview. with Dick.
That the scent was false. And there
was this to be said: Gregory had been
in the house scarcely ten minutes. Long
enough to acknowledge mistake, but
hardly long enough for any dramatic
Identification. He was kcenly disap-
pointed. but he had had long experience
OF disappointment, and after moment
he only said:
well. that's that. lie certainly
looked like Clark to me-"
"I'll say he did,"
Rather surprised him. didn't you?'
,"Oh. he was all right" Gregory said.
"I didn't tell him anything, of course. "
BasSett looked Mt his watch
II was after you. all right" he said,
chccrfully. But il I was barking up
the wrong tree. I'm done. don't have
to be hit on the head to make me stop.
Come and have soda water on me. ="
he finished amiably. '"Thcrc's no train
until Z"
But Gregory refused.
No, thanks. III wander on down
to the station and get paper"
The reporter smiled. Gregory was
holding n grudge against him, for a bad
night and bad day.
"All right" he said affably. w'll
tEc you At the train. I'll walk about a
BIT
lIc turned and started back up the
street again. walking idly. His chagrin
was very real. lie hated to be fooled.
and fooled he had been. Gregory was
NOT the only one who had lost a night s
tlr"p. Then. unexpectedly, he was hailed
from the curbstone, and he saw with
amaZCmpnt thOt IL woS nicL iv,py
stone.
Takc YOU anywherc:" Dick asked.
"liow's the hcadachc?'
Better, thanks.' .Bassett stared at
MN. No. I'm just walking around
until train time. Are you starting out
or going home. at this hour?'
better. - e INV '
lie drove on, leaving the reporter
gazing after him. So Gregory had been
lying. He hadn't seen this chap at all
Then why? lie walked on, turning
ihis new phase of the situation over In
nus mind. Why this elaborate fiction,
j Gregory had merely gone in, waited
'or ten minutes, and come out again?
1t wasn't reasonable. 1t WASH log =
zeal Something had happened inside
the house to convince Gregory that he
was right. lie had seen somebody, or
something. lie hadn't needed to lie.
ile could have snid frankly that he had
seen no one. But no, he had built up
y fabric carefully calculated to throw
Bassctt off the scent.
lie saw Dick stop in front of the
mouse; get out and enter. And coming
70 decision, he followed him and rang
tne doorbell. For Il long time no one
NnSWprnI A .,g l., Ga,
noon opened the door, her eyes red with
.:!rying, and looked at him with hos
,Dr. Richard Livingstone.
,iou can't see him"
ITS important.
,Well, You can't see him. DR.. David
hss Just had stroke. Hes in the
once now, on the floor"
she closed the door on him. and he
turned ana went away. 1t was all clear
10 MIN : Gregory had soon not Clurl;