Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-05-14


sented
Shopland gave the driver an adj
dress and the two men seated them
selves in the taxicab.
Any news?' Francis asked curl
ously.
Not yet" was the cautious reply.
1T will not be long, however,"
Before you discover Reggie Will
more?"
The detective smiled in superior
way.
Il am no longer particularly inter-
ested in Mr.. Reginald Wilmore," he
declared. Il have come to the con-
clusion that his disappearance is not
a serious affair"
Its serious enough for his rela-
tives," Francis objected
Not if they understood the situa-
tlon," the detective rejoined Assure
| them from me that nothing of conse-
quence has happened to that young
man. have made inquiries at the
gymnasium in Holborn, and in other
| directions. / 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 Kensington and tell his
mother so, the BETTER" Francis said,
a little severely. "Dont forget that
| put you onto this
"QEite right, SIR" the detective ac-
quiesced, ''and l am grateful to you.
The fact of it is that in making my
preliminary investigations with re-
gard to the disappearance of Mr.. Will
more, | have stumbled upon a bigger
thing. Before many weeks are past,
hope to be able to unearth one of
the greatest scandals of modern
| tines"
"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
buoyant with hope and with stif1ed
| dissatisfaction
| 81 am engaged" he continued,
upon study of the methods and
| habits of one who / believe to be
great criminal. l think that when I
place my prisoner in the bar, Vain
wright and these other great artists
in crime will fade from the memory"
rs Sir Timothy Brast your man?'
| Francis asked quietly.
His companion frowned porten-
| tously
No Names" he begged
Considering that it was I who first
put you on to him." Francis expos
| tulated, II don't think you need be so
sparing of your confidence"
"Mr. Ledsam," the detective assured
him, Il 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 time,
however. your own relations with him,
to an onlooker, have become a little
pulling"
II see," Francis murmured. you've
been spying on me?"
Shopland shook his head In depre-
eating fashion.
"A study of Sir Timothy during the
last month" he said, "has brought you
many time into the focus"
Francis for the first time vas con-
scious of an utterly new sensation
with regard to his companion. He
watched him through half-closed eyes
AN significant-louking little man
whose clothes, though neat, were i'll
chosen, and whose tie was an offense.
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. sudden flash of
realization had come to him, wave
of unreasoning but positive dislike.
when do you hope to bring your
case to an end?" he asked.
The man smiled once more. and the
very smile irritated his companion.
within the course Of the next few
days, sir" he replied.
"And the charger"
The detective turned around.
"Mr. Ledsam,' he said, Eve have
been old friends, if you will allow me
to use the word, ever since l was pro-
noted to my present position in the
force. You have trusted me with a
good many cases, and / acknowledge
myself your debtor, but Ia the matter
of Sir Timothy Brast, you will for
give my saying with al respect, sir,
that our ways seem to lie a little
apart"
"Will you tell me why you have ar
rived at that conclusion?" Francis
asked. 'It was l who first melted
you TO set watch upon Sir Timothy.
1t was to you first mentioned certain
suspicious / myself had with regard
to him. treated you with every con-
fdence. Why do you now withhold
yours from me?"
1T is quite true, Mr.. Ledsam, Shop
land admitted, that it was you who
first pointed out Sir Timothy as an
interesting study for NV OrofnSSion