New Britain herald., 1922-05-17
What Tom Chester Had to Tell
 Lillian and Nla1lge.


 realized now one reason for Lii. lian's unusual loquacity, She general ly Is most tacturn when engaged upon any problem of her work. But the explanation she had lust given showed me that there was a good hour of waiting before she would be sure enough of the return 10 slumber ot the ricer family in the neighhoring farmhouse 10 risk young Tom ches- ter's nocturnal expedition to the roof for the salyaging Of Smiths rope lad der.
 And she Is q good enough psyche. logist 10 know the tension which silence gives the nerves. She wished the young eX-service man to have steady nerves for his crawl on the roof with the darkness only illumin- ated by a flashlieht, which he must keep as much concealed as possible Therefore, she meant 10 talk about anything or nothing until the hour passed, and expected me to abet her efforts.
 'T'l admit l was a little bit up in the air when Jerry breezed in Lil- lian went on. You see. he was over here in an incredibly short time and the sketchiest of toilets Being an ingenious youth where saving toll Is concerned. he has made a path across the fields near the edge of the fence where the ploughing will never disturb 1t. and he rides his bicycle across it whenever he makes the trip He has attached an old automobile headlight with a clever battery con- trivance to the front of the wheel so he can come at breakneck pace even on the darkest nights. But I was on pins and needles for fear you'd drop in"-she turned to Tom Chester while he was here. And he hadn't been gone but two or three minutes until you did arrive
 Tom Chester smiled.
 You forget" he said boyishly. "that Jerry's headlight is not exactly one hidden under bushel. l heard the shots, of course, and was hurry ing down the road toward the house, when I saw that light coming along the fence. Naturally I kept under cover. as I came on, and when I
 
 tone that no one was hurt, I waited in the shadow of the bushes until Jerry went away again. Luckily l did, too. for Brennan came puffins along a few seconds later with the news that a strange tall boy in a stocking cap, sweater and knicker- bockers had come out of Briggs barn on bicycle and beaten it down the road
 Smith Slips Away.
 Brennan, Tom Chester went on, had seen Smith go into the kitchen a little earlier and later had seen his shadow-as if undressing on the cur tain of the room above the kitchen. which Brennan, by shrewd inquiry. knows to be his The few seconds Brennan lost in making up his mind that the strange boy was Smith in dis guise were just enough to let the fel- l7w lose himself in one Of those wood paths. I sent Brennan skirtng around the fields so that he would come into the orchard from the side away from the Ticers, and instructed him to watch for Smith.
 Luck certainly was with him." Tom Chester smiled. He was able to pick up Smiths train-the fellow evident ly sprained or broke something in his fall--and wasn't able to get back to the Briggs farm in as noiseess fashion as he came over, and Bren- nan said when Smith mounted his bicycle his whispered cussing was enough to scare the owls. I caught up with Brennan after my talk with you, and we saw Smith get back into Briggs barn. Then l beat it back here. leaving your instructions with Brennan. He was sure cut up about having let Smith slip, and tickled to death that you permitted him 10 keep on with the job. think he expect j, ed to be shot at sunrise or some thing like that
 "Hobson's Choice
 I'm not say wasn't tempted to order out the firing squad" Lillian answered dryly. But, on the other hand, Brennan is good. faithful man, though he'll never be jailed for a sur plus of imagination. Tinker, the other man, can't work day and night, | and can't spare you, MT. Chester, | so---it was Hobsons choice. And Brennan will work twice as hard be- cause of stubbing his toe tonight. Mir. | Smith won't be able to get away for another try at us until l give the | word' I stared at her in open-m -mouthed as- l