The evening world. Newspaper, May 10, 1916, Page 17

\ stop worrying Nwusiness! Playing Sherlock Holmes Tainted Inwver, passed the Weth- Ti Cab to ace” Bet CHAPTER VI. (Continued) The Powders. returned them to his pocket and resolved to ask the local druggist if he knew what they were or remem- bered having sold them to Mrs. Wetherall. After breakfast he set out for the village. It was very sultry, with Dromise of a thundor storm later, and as he plodded along the hot, dusty road he thought half regretfully of the cool club rooms and the comfort- able leather chairs that he had given op ‘This was no time, however, he told himeelf, for such vain regrets, and the thought of Bertha quickly put every- thing else out of his mind. He went to the drug store and telephoned Brinsley, and, cutting short that indi- vidual’s complaints of important cases neglected, together with dire predic- tions as to the ruin of the whole busi- nm ‘bade him look up the records of Benjamin Wetherail’s will, which Bertha had told him had been exe- cuted and probated by his lawyer in ew York, a Mr. Spencer, 'Go and see him about it, and find ut all you can,” Gordon finished, ‘and send me an answer here atonce, general delivery. And for the Lord’ me about the is no joke, and I've got my hands full here.” Ile laughed as he heard Brinsley’s aggrieved grunt, and rang off before he could foliow with any more pro- tests, Next he called up Dr. Wilson, a well-known neurologist. He got very little satisfaction there, The busy Specialist demanded details which Gordon for obvious reasons could not supply, and he was obliged to take ‘bim into his confidence at last. Even then the doctor could tell him little more than he already knew. A person walking in sleep did not re- tain any memory after consciousness. He did not think it possible that any dream or idea she might have had during that period would be so real when she waked as to convince her that she saw her aunt come down- stairs and fall. Only one thing gave any hope. “Now, if she had fainted insiead," aid the doctor, “at the precise mo- ment she saw her aunt starting to come downstairs it might t govering she would not re: Nad fainted, and would supply Bap with its natural continuation the picture of her aunt falling, It is # nice question as to how much of Anterior impressions the mind retains after @ faint, but there have been cases whore a person has been totally unconscious afterward of having t all, and declared he had only slept, And we know how in- dignantly old people deny having nodded during a sermon or conversa- tion, That last depends largely upon ¥ 0 Paxchological make-up of the in- ividual, and 1 should have to study the young lady carefully before pre- tending to give a definite opinion. With that Gordon had to be con- tent. At least he had found a loop- hole through which, if matters came to the worst, they might drag Ber- tha, She admitted having felt faint for a moment when she saw her aunt fall. Cauld it not been for myel lodger period? gave the packet of powders to the druggist, and asked him if he knew what they were, The man smelled, tasted and examined thei carefully, “They weren't bought here, for one thing,” he said. use a differ- ent kind of paper to put my powders §u—a sinaller size usually, The pow- der looks to me like some coal-tar product, Tecan't tell for certain with- out making a chemical analysi “How long would that take you?" demanded Gordon, “The better part of the morning, T could let you know by noon Gordon” hesitated. After all, it might not be of ar importance, But the man seemed unusually intelligent, and something urged him to follow up this clue, “Good!” he sald, “Go abead, and Vil stop in for the result, By the way"—on an iinpulse: e you ever sold any large amount of drugs to the Werther Th wis? Any kind of narcotic?" » man looked at him oddly for “But you used to? Please be frank with me. Tam conducting an inves- Mgation for the fumily, and they want Al the facts, and are not afiaid to have anything told that may assist “Well, sit, I did used to sell Mr Wetherall quite a. bit of morphine sift cocain. He didn't use it himself, tie eed he wanted it for @ fraend who aying with him at the time, and athehad to have it, Mr, Wethe all sald he was trying to break him off by decreasing the doses, but he had to give him some to Keep him from going crazy. It seems to me, though’ A Well?” encouraged Gordon as the man hesitated Well, he seemed to Use just as much in the end as in the beginning maybe a bit more if anything, Mind blame for selling sir, T wasn't te ‘e The laws weren't so strict then as they are now; agd I'd have had to give it to Mr, Wetherall, anyway, eeing as he wrote out the prescrip- tion regular “Wrote prescriptions! How could 2 He has a doe s diploma, sir, all right and legal, for 1 asked to see it College ft ie vania, and signed by the faculty, Ue told me he had piudied to be a doctor, but didn't Practica except now and then. So tt was all right my giving it, and he e Ot the Purple Stairs miteaeeigee oF ’ } The Evening World Daily Magazine, Wednesday. May with a ‘wist. wouldn't mind my tellin expect.” ‘No, of course not. How long ago was this?” “Summer before las “All right. I'll be back for the re- sult at noon.” He walked on toward Rollins’s hotel, thinking over what he had just heard. Mr. Wetherall with a doctor's di- ploma, cocain, and the powders— there was some connection between all of them if he could only get it. He met Rollins just coming out. “This is luck,” sald the detective. | “TL was just starting out for you. [| have been down to the station, where, by the way, I met our friend Quinn nosing around, and the station master | was positive that Martha Jenkins had not taken any train the day of the murder, He did not remember, either, having seen her the next day, and as he said he was at the station all the time, and I know for a certainty that he's a nosy old guy, that settles Mr. Wetherall’s story of her having come back from the city. fe remembered seeing the other servants take the train—like every- body else in this small town, he knew them by aight. 1 also got word from Hazleton, which is ten miles below here, that a man resembling our | tramp had been jugged for drunken- ness six days ago, so he must have come through there on his way her “Now I want to talk with old Jerry. Heard anything new?" Gordon told him in full about his interview with Wetherall, the sleop- walking episode, and the docto! comment, adding the fact of the pow ders. Rollins listenod, chewing his ‘unlit cigar with a thoughtful air, “You did a pretty good piece of) work last night, Mr. Gordon,” he id. “Wish I had been there. It a clever idea to keep those pow and have them analyzed. We can't afford to overlook any possible clue in thie affair, So the specialist thinks she could have fainted and then when she came to not realized | it? That's interesting, and bears out a little idea of my own. So dues the fact of Mr. Wetherall’s having a man staying with him. Wonder what she looking for last night? “That theory of Wetherall's !s about as neat an explanation of a| crime as I've ever heard. But we'll fix up a better. I've a little joker in my head that will give this thing the jinx But when Gordon pressed him for an explanation he only remarked again oracularly, “Walt until we've seen Jerry.” and walked on, whistling thoughtfully. They found the old man pottering about the greenhouse; and, though he first inclined to fight shy of tective,” Rolli good humor and ready tact speedily set him at his 0. Had you ever seen this tramp be- fore?” asked the detective. “Well, now, come to think of It, | seems like he was kind o' familiar; | but tt was dark and I couldn't get | more than one look at him. I can't remember faces good, but voices stick either, 1! ton to me; and, though he was whisper- in’ and husky, seems as ef I'd heard him talk before.” did you ever hear of Jim Mer- "asked Rolling abruptly, CHAPTER VII. Mrs. Snow. HE old man stared, “Why, o' course; he was the man that came up here a@ year and a halt ago to do some work for Mr. Wether- all. The folks, Mrs, Wetherall and Miss Bertha, were away, and he and Mr, Wetherall sort of camped out. I remember 1 wuz laid up with the rheumatiz that summer and only saw him a few times. Nice spoken chap he was, but a bit given to crooking his eibow, I'm told.” How long was he here?” About four weeks, (think, He lets jist as 1 was gettin’ around again,” What did he look like?” “You might call his o0d- Weak and soft-like. He had a nice Way with hita, though, and always a ot word,” What was his voice like?” Jerry stared again, “Kind o' soft, and he had @ funn way of putting things, Say, 1 won- der now—that tramp's voica sounded # bit Mke his—but it couldn't have bin him." The detective gave a satisfied nod. Wa rather think so, but we want to make sure. Did he have a bear when you knew him?" : Only i little mustache,” +} SUPpOSiNg he hid grown a beard und had gone to the devil, wouldn't he have looked pretty much like the man you saw?" He might,” returned Jerry doubt- fully, “Come to think of it, his voice sounded much the same, but | couldn't swear to his looks.” “Did you ever see Martha's hus- band? “I beard she was married,” was the cautious answer, “but L ain't never seen him; he didn't come from these parts,” “Had you ever seen Jim before he came up to stay Werherall?” “No, sir. He was a stranger, too.” “Did Martha Jenkins come’ from Merton with Mr, 0; but she has an aunt living here, up along the Hazleton way; that's how she came to get employed here, through staying with her in the vas the aunt's name?” rs, Snow.” “Ig she living there still? is it from here" “About a mile, | guess. ‘Turn to the right after you get to the big ice houses, You'll find her in the yaller house at the top of the hill.” Rollins carefully noted down th old man’s instructions, and then went on: “Did Martha ever say anything to How far you about her husband's antece- dents?” “L don't know what them is.” r turned Jerry, puzzled, “Do you mean habits?” Gordon could not repress a smile, and the detective laughed outright ag he answered. "Yes, of a sort, Where he came from and what his family was.” “No: she Was-close-mouthed, Mare tha was, They say he was pretty * WHAT A Gooo LOOKING BABY You Have HRs PARENT Your BABY IS VERY CLEVER, MRS PARENT \Your BABY HAS A TEMPER EVERYBODY SAYS HE LooKs Just uke ME HE GETS THAT FROM FINE Lookin You Ave Hi PARENT My, WHAT A TEMPER Your BABY HAS HIS FATHER HE GETS THAT FRon ME HE GETS THAT FROM HIS MOTHER 10. 1916 Well, that is the situation in springtime. “I forgot it,” confessed Gordon jeepishiy, “Something else came up, and I couldn't seo where it had any vital bearing on the cas “Well, you will,” retorted Rollins; “and after this please tell me every- thing you pick up. Good Lord, man, anything is important in 4 case like ‘thi acknowledged Gor- ‘Nt was stupid of me, But to return to Mra. Snow—<do you. think she was telling the truth as to the exact timo Martha returned?” “ant say; but she'll stick to her story probably, and that will let Mar- tha out with an alibi. It is probable that sho came back at that time, but before she left she put her husband wise to some things and set him on to finish up Mra. Wetherall, He's a weak character anyway; and, as I know now from his being addicted to coke, undoubtedly he needed very little to wet him going. Ho's our man, with- out any doubt. “You got what you wanted out of Mrs. Snow, but ft was rather a long shot that ehe didn't get suspicious and tell you nothing.” “Oh, I had her framed up and cata- logued, full-size cut, ready for deliv- ory, fo. b, after I'd taiked with her ten minutea,” returned Rollins com- placently, J'Curious old girl, full of information, corked up by niec &@ pull or two, out pops cor! there you are. I only wish the nieco | Was baif so easy to uncork. She's a |deep one; sho didn’t tell everything {she knew at the inquest by a long shot, And that jay of a Coroner didn't think to ask her where she stayed in the city. “Perhaps she really did go back to her aunts at the time she said, apd then slipped out without her knowl- edge and returned as secretly at's likely, too, but we've no | pI Hello! Het oyr friend Quinn,” as 4 turn of the rodd brought them in sight of the little figure of the other detective, also going toward the village, “Now, what's he up to? Pushing his nose into thing, I expect, 1 wonder what he's found out?” “Very Iittle, I hope. He's not the sort I'd like to confide my deepest worthless and ran away and left ler. Mis’ Wetherall was very good to ber and took her in as maid. “How long ago was that?” “About seven years, I guess. Just after Mr. Benjamin died. But say,” (s his shrewd old mind began to Like in the significance of the other's ques- oning, “you don’t think her husband und Jim Merton was the same fellow? He was a gentleman und far above the likes of her—and anyway, his name was Tompkins, or something like. “Um not saying anything,” returned Rollins sententiously, “and you'd vet- ter forget what you've said, too, if that fellow Quinn comes around, He'd make it out somehow that you did the murderi ‘And having thus frightened the old man into silence, he walked off, fol- lowed by Gordon, “How the dickens did you find all that out about Jim Merton?” asked Gordon, “Basy enough, The station master 1s. @ gossipy old gink, and all I had to do was to start him going. T asked if there had been many visitors at the place, or any one staying there 4e- cently for a long time, and he told me about this Jim Merton much as Jerry did, ‘The rest 1 doped out for myself, and what the old ngin just told us about Wetherall's having a man up with him clinched it, Thompson had « close-cut beard, bult the description of Merton reminded me somehow of the tramp in spite of the lack of beard, It did Jerry, too, 1 took # chance shot there, That was mighty clever, If we can establish that he and Martha's husband game man, and that he and 3 had good reason to want Mrs, Wetherall out of the way, the rest will be easy. think the motive part is well cov- J, Lasked the station master, who a memory like the oldest inhabi- tant, why Martha's husband (nam then, by the way, being Thompson) had left her, and he said there was some money trouble at the bottom of it, Thompson had helped himself out of his employer's cash register, so it was rumored around, Anyway, the police were looking for him, but he had seen them first and done the get- away, “And now [ think we are beginning to sec light, If Martha's husband and the tramp are, as I think, the same, it might very well be that Mrs. Weth- erall had some hold over him, and that in puttting her out of the way, he had destroyed the only evidence against him “But if Thompson and Merton are the same, why did he come back and stay with Mr, Wetherall in a place where he had been known?” “Very few people saw him as ‘Thompson, and he had a beard then. T don't know what his qgetve was In coming back, but [ fee’ eure he was Thompson from other things—such as the drinking.” “But, according to what Jerry over- heard, he came that night to stop some scheme on her part which didn’t seem to be connected with him, How do you explain that “L think there was some acheme,” returned Rollina quietly; “one that even Jim Merton, or Thompson, him- elf, wouldn't countenance, [| don't believe that Mrs, Wetherall was quite the sainted character she ap- peared. The schema wasn’t against him, I think it wae more likely against Miss Bertha, and by what ever hand Mra Wetherall met her end, it was not wholly unmerited.” Gordon looked grave, “Do you think Wetherall was in pu think the scheme at uu ? Murder Probably not; but It was som thing devilish, Remember what Mi Wetherall told you about her aunt's uightinare and apparent remorse, [t might have been the same thing. ‘This is only theory, butA think that Mrs Wetherall really did come down the Gtuirs as her niece described,’ o you think that Miss Wether- a Yo; I don't believe she was guilty of an attempt on her aunt's life any more than you do; but I think that she either Knows more than she tells and {sg shielding some one, or what ts more probable, that her mind. re- ceived a different impression from what occurred,” “Look here, Rolling," exclaimed Gordon, “what are you driving at? Do you think that before, or just as the “girl fainted, either Jim Merton or his wife sprang out and stabbed Mrs, Wetherall?” The detective nodded, me," he said laconically. Gordon was silent a moment, run- ning over the facts in his mind, “You get “It seams to fit in,” he Initted fin “{ don't think Miss Wether- all is\ hiding anything—knowingly, She seems convinced there was no one there beside herself, and she would have to have a tremendously strong motive for shielding the real criminal to expose herself to such an accusation.” Rollins nodded again. “Yes, it seems much more likely that she believed that she was telling the truth; tha her aunt ne natairs she fainted, and hen came to a few minutes later, and saw the body lying he foot of the stairs, the second k drove the fact of her having nted from her mind and made the two acts seem almost siinultancous, You remember, sho too, in the inquest she testified that sho felt dizzy for 4 moment after sho saw her aunt fall, and before sho screamed and ran out, There might easily have been a longer interval between than she supposed.” Gordon drew a long sigh of relief. “That explains everything, Of course she would stick to the truth as she saw it, and tt offers a reasonable reconciliation of those two contrary ots, her story and the presence ot the pin; one, too, that no sensible jury would disregard. By Jove, Rol- ling, you're a wonder!” "Oh, there's always an explanation to everything,” returned the detec- tive modestly; “only you've got to fit theories to facts, and not the other way around. You get the head and tail of these affairs, and no between part; and the apparent aolution is not the only possible one “L think we're on the track, though, and as soon as | get ail the facts into ling (in gomg to put Martha Jenkins through # vittle third degree of my own, I don’t want to scare her now by asking suspicious questions T expect this ia the hill Jerry told us about; an§ that must be the ‘yaller house’ up there. Gee, but {t's hot!” It was indeed very sultry, and a Dlack thuni@r-cloud was rearing up menacingly across the river. A stout woman opened the door of the “yailer house’ and grudgingly ac Knowledged that she was Mrs. Snow [don't want any carpet-awcepera or patent potato-peelers,” sha added Qxing Rollins with a suspicions ay “and Ive got enough booka to keep me busy the rest of my life” Rollins smiled his most charming snile, which made him look almost too innocent to be true, “We have no designs on you In the shape of books or buncombe,” he re- marked suavely. “We have come to buy, not sell. My friend and L are both very thirsty and very fond of a Klass of fresh, cool milk, and they told us we could connect the two he if you'll be so kind. “Oh, certainly,” answered = Mra, Show, relaxing somewhat, “Come in, gentlemen, and I'll give you a glass of the finest milk you ever tasted. My Dalsy Is the beat Alderney around ner She certainly 1s a ‘daisy.’ Noth- ing better than this for a day like this," as he took a long drink from the glass she handed him, "Kind of hot, even for the Hudson, isn't “Pretty warm,” she agreed; then, @ peal of thunder resounded and a Jagged streak of lightning stabbed the inky cloud now spreading over thein, she added hospitably, “We're going to have a right lively storm. You can wait here until it's over, if you like.” Rollins thanked her, and they gladly stepped inalde the dark little parlor, for big drops of rain were already falling. “This is a mighty pleasant house you've got,” approved Rollins. “I'd like to buy one myself, settle down and get rid of business for a while—If I had the money, Might as well enjoy the country while | have it, though.” “Are you taking a vacation here?” asked Mrs, ‘Snow curiously. It's not supposed to be,” he an- swered dryly, “I'm travelling in flour and came here to see if I could do some business, but everybody is too little much interested in this murder ense to talk about anything else, Guess Ml! have to go back empty handed.” ve you heard anything new about the case?” asked Mrs, Snow quick! Have they found out who done it "Not yet; everybody'a got a ferent opinion, It’s inighty puza! but, judging from the little [ it seem hardly possible that the young lady could have done such « dreadful thing.” “So It «agreed Mra, Snow, “Mebbe she wasn't in her mind, though Martha says” She stopped as {f she bad sald too mucl "Who's Martha?” asked Rolling ssly. nie do Mrs. Snow kuardedly She's in service Uier but she don't know nothin’ about it “Indeed? I should think she would have seen something, Didn't she tos tfy at the inquest? Some one wa telling me about it, She left with t rest of the servants, didn't she?” “Yes, abe did.” Mrs, Snow shut her mouth with a snap. "She's at home with you, then, 1 suppose?” “ she don't make her home with ." ‘answered Mrs, Snow shortly. She went back to the house to heip ‘am out, I told her not to get mixed up any more in tt, but aie would have it that it was her duty to Mra Wetherall. She was powerfully fond of the old lady.” “She must have been,” observed Ro with ingenuous admiration. “to have come right hack from the city the next day, Some folka would have hated to stay there any longer for fear of heing connected with tt in rome way. ‘These detective « ara ones for fixing thing any that has been within a mia of the pla She ain't got nacail to he worried @bout that,” returned Mra, Snow ) sharply, “though she didn’t go to the city, either, She started to, but she had’ a terrible nose bleed and came right up here. T can testify she was in my spare bed at 8 o'ch that very night; though it ain't no concern of any one's thac 1 can see,” she added with a suspicious glance at Rollins “Martha's a good girl, and no ene can say a word against her” ‘Of course not,” agreed Rollins heartil ‘and that would settle it, anyway He 4 down a coin “thanks for the milk and the shelwor from the storm, It's cleared off now, so | guess we'll be moving along. By the way" s he turned to go T used to know a chap that came from her-—at least, he said he'd lived here for a while—name of Thompson, I think {t was, Did you happen to bear of him?” “Yes; and 4t wasn't no good” snapped Mrs Snow, “He married my niece, and then took to drink and drugs and takin’ other people's mon I'm sorry for you if he's your friend Not at all; merely @ parsing ac- intance that 1 made about five years ago, L knew he drank, but [ didn't think he was that sort, ‘Too bad, for he seemed a pleasant enough young fellow, Has he ever been back sinc “ive always that pleasant kind that goes wrong.” returned Mrs. Snow grimly. "No, he ain't been back again; didn’t dare to.” “[ @hould think not.” agreed Roll- ins, “Thank you again, Good morn- ing!" and with his most genial smile he followed Gordon out into the road CHAPTER VIII. The Use of a Pocket-Piece. HWY walked along tn sl- len for a few minutes, H the detective with his brows drawn together and his usual cigar unlit be~ tween his teeth, “Well,” observed Gordon at last, when they were out of sight of the house, “what do you make of it?" Rollins came out of his brown study wih @ “If Mrs, Snow's story ts true--and we've only her word for Martha will have to be left out of our murder theory; at le any active pa it Say, did you hear Mrs, Snow say that he was a drug-user? 1 wonder what kind?" ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you that! He confessed himself, when L first mot iin the morning after the murde nat he was an addict to ‘coke @ hite stuff,’ as he ealled it.” ycoine’ and morphine ex: claimed Rolling, “Why didn't you tell me before? ‘That is a very im- portant fact and explains @ lot that I didn’t understand before, Do you know how long he has been using it?” “The druggist said that he had some morphine to Mr, Wetherall for aman he had staying with him, He was trying to break him of the habit by giving him decreased dosea; but 1 v« from what the man said, he hadn't succeeded, That wax two years ago--just the time when Merton was staying with him, ‘They are evidently ne Ame person, He must have had the habit pretty well established a m See here exoatied Rolitne. “Vay on had thin inf tien « your chest @ ne time and ne thought it neceasary to put secrets to." “Let's aoe If we can @ jome of bis ‘out of him, I believe he’s slowing up jon purpose; we're bound to catch up with him, Good morning, Mr, Quinn,” “Good morning, gentlemen,” rum= bled the little detective, “Quite warn, ivn't it?" “We're nearly hot," chuckled Hol- Ins, with @ wink at Gordon, “How's business?” “Pretty fair, Mr, Rollins.” As Gordon had not told Rolling that Quinn had recognized him, and to the best of the latter's knowledge the 1) tle man had never seen him before, the smile left Rollin's f “My name is Smith,’ stiffly. "Quite so,” blinked Quinn, “I for- Rollins—Smith, [ mean, your name was Rolling in tae ae, | remember.” the devil do you know about the Heathcote case?” demanded Rol- Una. he remarked was present out of curiosity. Quite ® difficult case, and you handled it neatly, Mr, Rollins—-Smith, 1 mean, How are you making out with this?” he added ingratiatingly. Rolling did not seem gratified with the praise, but only grunted. “Its like Jersey mud, thicker as you get into It. I'm here as @ travel- ing man, Mr. Quinn; #o if you respect my tncog., I'll be obliged.” “Quite so," agreed Quinn blandly, He ‘had an irritating manner of drawling out these innocent little words. Gordon, despite his dislike of the little man, could not help admit- ting that so far he had the best of it. He wished he knew just how much of the affair the little detective had ferreted out An idea struck him, Men some- times grow chatty over a drink, “Milk may be a nourishing diet he observed, “but it's hardly stimulat- ing. Wish this wasn't a dry town, or that I knew the knock, How about ier “There's a place just outside the village where | think the proprietor haw a sympathetic look,” suggested Quinn meekly, “As you justly ob- served, Mr. Gordon, this is a dry business, Shall we—eli?" Rolling gave Gordon a quiet flicker of his ey nd the latter noddes Un der Quinn's guidance the three men made the Way, chatting amtably enough, to a small, very dingy gro- cory on the outskirts of the village, with the name of “Peter Mincus” over it, The windows were fly aspecked, and thelr contents had an equally unattractive look, A dirty white cat was huddled forlornly on the steps, and a tow-headed child that matehed tt played tn the dirt be- fore the door Where's your father?” gumbled Quinn with What he meant for an ingratiat tone, "The frightened ehild fled and presently @ slack limbed man appeared in the doorway and stood glaring at them suspiciously. He had hardly de- served Quinn's description of “aym- pathetic.” and their fall « hopes began to Hut the little detective nodded fidently to the man, Phe » are friends of mine, Peter. t told them about your good but ‘ik, Can you let us bave The man studied them from under his brows @ moment longer jerking out, “All right! | ¢ back!” turned and went in. They followed him, Rolling whis- poring to Gordon: "Good Lord! termilk! I feel like a dairy 4 TL hope it'a the real thing this time.” It proved to be Certainly no cow could ever have produced the flery liquid that ir marly host poured ‘om a black bottle and set b 0 the Ing managed his, and tthen ome in But vinn di of a stiff dose un winkingly, but lon had choking work to toueh bis glass, vhes proprietor, after serving them, leaned up against the wall with his hands in lis pockets and stared out of the window, apparently ob- If you were lost in the Canadian woods and a gloriously beautiful girl should happen along— LURA OF THE NORTHLAND By ROBERT E. PINKERTON NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVENING WORLD This is a story of the Big Outdoors —just the sort to read There is plenty of adventure and mystery in it and » goodly portion of somewhat unusual love interest. * confronting the hero of livious of then. Ho replied in grunts to several remarks that Gordon made, and was only galvanized into som: action when the latter handed him @ five-dollar bill to pay for drinks. “Ain't you got any less?” he grum<) (cH! died, “It will clean me all out of 44 change.” However, he laboriously built aD ® ocig Pile of quarters and ten-cent pli with a handful of pennies for riok measure, and Gordon wae stowit them away in his pocketa when hi happened to notice that one of the , quarters had a curiously familiar ‘8 jook. He examined tt closely, Yeas thers ixoM ‘was the same worn surface, H Mieked'in the centre, and’ the date” %? 1876, ‘There could ba no doubt about tt-— this was his identical pocket-plece od? that he had given my mistake to the. 4.» tramp the day before and had missed : directly after. aif There was only one inforence pos- ible; the man had come here to yollg spend his money, and if so, the pro prietor must know something of bis vcbe whereabouts, ail Without stopping to think that te: 01 might be wiser to leave his investi< gation until they should be alone, he said abruptly. “Where's Jim Merton +f now?" < ‘The shot told, Peter turned aroun@s/die at him with an alarmed scowl which his words could not explain away, “Dunno. I ain't got nothin’ to ée with him. “IT think you must have had quite - recently,” returned Gordon coolly, holding up the pocket-piece, ‘since he gave you this in exchange for a drink @ome time terday or to-day.” ‘The man's face was @ study, wrathful, half frightened. He gla: at Gordon Mke an angry bull held ‘back In the midet of a charge, Roliina and Quinn had come up close to them, “What's this? asked the former sharply. “What's he got to do with Jim Merton?” “That's what I've been askin’ him,* © growled Peter, ain't seen him, I * returned Gordon. “Prove It,” jeered Peter, “Easily, by thi a pocket-piece of mine which [ gave to mistake yesterday morning when he sked me for some money. He evi- dently came here and spent it, since you've just given it to me as part of my change. I could swear to its be-~ ing the anme. T put that nick in my; self to tell It by.” “And here's another thing you car” put in your pipe and smoke,” inter- rupted Rollins, pulling aside his coat and showing hig badge. ‘I've got * right to ask qfestions, and I meat to get to the bottom of this affair. Ser} vag you'll be a lot wiser if you hand them. back as fast as I send them, Other-* wine I might make some trouble, a see?” Peter apparently saw, although he grumbled out something about “city folk buttin’ In.” His fear of being ar- rested for evading the liquor law made him answer truthfully, if ut willingly. ‘ came in here yesterday evenin’ about 6 o'clock: At first I didn't kaow him. We useter be good pals when he was here before, but he had grown so gray and old-looking, and spoke so queer, that It was some time before I knew who he was, He had a beard, too.” What did he tell you about bim- ne?" wei Nothin’ much. He satd that be had been banging around a lot, an he looked It “Did he mention anything of Ble..i5, plans?” Peter hesitated, and Rollins fixesicd Ty him insietently with his eye. fa little game up to the house,” Peter answered unwillingly. “He fancied he had a sort of grudge against themsollig but I could never see where it came in.” “Against which of them?” ca “the whole tot, |guess.” He heats 7°? ‘ated. "'Sometim @ ta \You'd better be frank,” warned : Rolling sharply, wut Peter scowled. re rita atrald of tellin? the trute.> 94d T guess it was the old lady he favored the least.” Rollins and Gordon exchanged © *# glances, So fav the theory was work~ 7 ing out. Quinn had edged closer and was listening intently, bia nervous jig hands quiet for once, “What was the cause of this die- Ty Uke?" went on Rollins, “1 dunno, He never told me.” _ “Did he tell you anything of tte past life—when he was here two years ago?” “No; Lasked him once, and he #het me up. He was & queer chapj: tae wouldn't say a word at times, and got mad nothin Rollins nodded to himself. aon “How long did he stay here yesters + -\(a! day evening or “About a couple of hours, I should judge. He was pretty well loade@) :! after having three more drinks tn ad- 910 dition to what he already had aboard, »'ar #0 | suggested his lying down tn my back room and sleeping some of it 7 off, He did so, and was there unttl vs about 8, I guess, I stopped tm at ia about a quarter past on my way to bed. He Wasn't there, He must have} slipped out quiet, for no one seen him go, and [ain't laid eyes on him since." + You are positive that he ha: hidden anywhere around the place? I looked everywhere; but what would he want to hide for? You can take » look for yourself,” he added > aurlily, a “I guess we will,” said Roll Hie |) eyes feli on Quinn distastefully. He was wishing that he could avoid thea necessity of having the other detec. tive join In the search, The little man, however, made no move to go with them Vil stay with our friend he n said aside to Rolling, “I think you'll do better in your hunt without him.” Rollina nodded his thanks, and he and Gordon went out, (To Be Continued.) 4 It happens to be. tramp, otherwise Jim Merton, by” ‘He said something about spikig/O(Te ot a oo ow ne _ ow ode shel at | 19 Nee trod ui ee oe