The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1946-02-22
CHAPTER TX

there looked up. Then Whitlock
rose.
Hello, Tope," he said.
Tope stared at him. 81 knew I'd
seen you somewhere. Where?"
The other hesitated. "Are you on
this thing, Inspector"
T0pe suddenly nodded as though
remembering. you're from a pri-
vate agency?" he guessed.
Whitlock said reluctantly: "Well,
yes"
"What are you after?"
Whitlock. wary as a dog In a
strange yard, looked at the others
here, doubt and caution In his eyes.
The Inspector said insistently:
"Whitlock, this gentleman is Mat
Cumberland, the District Attorney.
You'll have to play ball with u.s."
And he added: "You were here Mon
day night, tracing a stolen car-or
30 you said. Why did you come
back?"
"We heard that a dead man had
been found here"
"What of it," Whitlock was 81
lent. "Who put you on this?" The
detective said nothing. Whats your
outfitf Hutchins2 Or Myers?"
myers agency" Whitlock admit
-ted.
"You boys stay here tonight"
Tope said CURLY.
"You're taking a high hand"
Whitlock protested. "Where do you
rate, anyway"
But Adam Bruce said quietly:
'I'm from the Department Of JUS
tice. I back Tope; and so does Dis
trict Attorney Cumberland, If you
want to arguel"
"Oh, all right" Whitlock grudg-
ingly agreed. II guess you carry
TOO many guns, Tope. Wen playl"
Bee Dewain said, "Pn show you
q cabin, gentlemenl" and they fol-
lowed her away.
Tope, as soon as they were gone,
turned in haste toward the telephone,
which was in a closet under the
stairs. They heard his voice, muf-
he'd, as he put in the call.
A little later he emerged, his eyes
shining; but he only said, speaking
70 the District Attorney: "Well, Mat,
that's about all we can do tonight.
You'd better take Kell along to
town." Then he turned to Ned Quill,
and without any apologies to the 9TH
srs, drew Ned aside.
son." he asked the trooper, "do
you know Sally Tennant-the daugh-
ter of Holdom's gardener"
"Sure," Quill returned. He
grinned. mighty pretty girl"
The old man nodded. Cali right.
Quill, go see this Tenant girl-to-
night or in the morning. Her father
said she was in love with Bob Flint,
Holdom's pilot. Ask her when she
saw him last, anything else she'll
tell you"
"Okel" Ned agreed.
Tope turned back toward the 9TH
ers. "Mat," he said to Cumberland,
don't forget to have Doctor Med
ford check on gas in the dead mans
lungs, and whether he was drugged.
Now good night. I'll meet you at
the quarry in the morning."
Cumberland assented heavily, and
turned toward the car. When they
were gone, Tope mopped his brow
and sighed and turned to Mrs. Tope.
II had to get rid of Mat" he said.
Having him around is like pushing
o piano. He's-slow, heavyl Now
can get busyl"
The phone rang, and Adam went
in to answer it. Mrs. Tope asked
bolicitously: Must you do anything
more tonight? You're so tiredl"
''I'n rest tomorrow night" he
promised, and he said with a chuc-
Me: eyes ma'am, tomorrow night
! aim to sleep about twenty-four
hours without winking. You 60
along"
But before she could go, Adam re-
turned from the telephone, and Bee
came back from showing Whitlock
and Beal their cabin. They're all
tucked in like good little boys" she
reported; and her eyes were twin
king. $50 meek and midi loved
the way you squelched theml"
Tope chuckled; and then he
asked: miss Dewain. do you know
anything about a lodge back in the
hills somewhere? Ledforge's placer"
"Oh, yes" she said quickly.
"Why?"
''Mr. Eberly's there" Tope ex-
claimed. She uttered an exclama-
don ut once of relief and of sur
prise; and Tope asked: "Adam, you
know 9here it ISL"
Adam shook his head.
'A&;ss Dewain, you ten him."
Tepa requested. II want to see Mr..
Ebefly.' And he added: "You
aaight give me that letter to him
Aom Mr.. sLAdforge. I'll give 1t to
hkon - ~ s}--sssEs =