, 1924-04-23
The Evil Shepherd

al I'LL nOuT
IAN hour. If you like" Francis as
scented.
Shopland gave the driver an adj
dress and the two men seated them
selves in the taxicab.
"Any news?" Francis asked curl
ously.
mot yet" was the cautious reply.
1T will not be long. however,"
Before you discover Reggie Will
more?"
The detective smiled in a superior
way.
II am no longer particularly inter-
ested In Mr.. Reginald Wilmore," he
declared, 81 have come to the con-
clusion that his disappearance is not
a serious affair.""
TITS serious enough for his rela-
lives" Francis objected.
Not II they understood the situa-
tion," the detective rejoined. assure
them from me that nothing of conse-
quence has happened to that young
I have made inquiries at the
gymnasium In Holborn, and in other
directions. l am convinced that his
absence from home Is voluntary, and
that there Is no cause for alarm as
to his welfare"
"Then the sooner you make your
way down to K~ensington and tell his
mother so. the better" Francis said.
a little severely. Don't forget that
1 put you onto this"
"QUlte right, SIR" the detective ac-
quiesced. land I am grateful to you.
The fact of 1t Is that in making my
preliminary investigations with re-
gard to the disappearance of Mr.. Will
more. l have stumbled upon a bigger
thing. Before many weeks are past. /
hope to be able to unearth one of
the greatest scandals of modern
times"
1.-THE DEVIL" Francis muttered.
He looked thoughtfully. almost anx-
iously at his companion. Shopland's
face reflected to the full his usual
confidence. He had the air Of a man
b%uoyant with hope and with stifed
dissatisfaction.
81 I'm engaged" he continued,
upon a study Of the methods and
habits of n who I believe to be a
great criminal. I think that when |
place my prisoner In the bar. VAIN
wright and these other great artists
In crime will fade from the memory"
"Is Sir Timothy Brast your man"
Francis asked quietly.
His companion frowned porten-
tously.
"No Names" he begged.
considering that 1t was I who first
put you on to him." Francis expos
tulated. 81 don't think you need be so
sparing Of your confidence"
"Mr. Ledsam." the detective assured
him, II shall tell you everything that
Is possible. AT the same time, ! will
be frank with you. You are right
when you say that It was you who
first directed my attention towards
Sir Timothy Brast. Since that timr.
however. your own relations with him,
to an %onlooker. have become a little
puzzling."
81 see," Francis murmured. you've
been spying on meT"
Shopland shook his head In depre-
eating fashion.
"A study of Sir Timothy during the
last month";" he said, has brought you
many a time into the focus"
Francis for the first time vas con-
sclous of m utterly new sensation
with regard to his companion. He
watched him through half-closed eyes
An Notwithstanding little man
whose clothes, though neat, were ILL.,
chnQaU and vvhnaa tia ,ra. a.. ~
There was nothing In the face to de-
note unusual intelligence. but the eyes
were small and cunning and the
mouth logged. Francis looked away
out of the window. a sudden flash of
realization had come to him. a wave
Of unreasoning but positive dislike.
"When do you hope to bring your
case to nm endT" he asked.
The man smiled Once more. and the
very smile lrritated his companion.
within the course of the next few
days. SIR" he replied.
And the charger"
The detective turned around.
"Mr. Lcdsam." he said, 1--WE hive
been old friends. II you will allow me
to use the word. ever since I was pro-
NOTED to my present position In the
force. You have trusted me with n
good many cases. and I acknowledge
myself your debtor. but In the matter
Of Sir Timothy Brnst. you will for.
give my saying with nil respect. sir.
that our ways seem to lie a little
apart"
"Wnl you tell me why YOU hnve ar