The evening world. Newspaper, May 12, 1916, Page 17

” ern by + SROIARIRSIRORNBO TRB 2 BNR: RAR RDB TKI House A Me M: Wi (Oopsright, 1919, by FF SYNOPSIS oF v1 A, Munsey Company.) ING CHAPTERS, ou i lawyor, passed the Weth- le 1 atignt in Hime, to see 7 a for ove te by et is ead Bertha says ine Vethere | i front stairs o! it Owe uate wa: is faan Wen shee guspected of ft connael. a ilet wolve the mystery. Tawser of shady’ tamer ie. wait byt Ard ther Jim 0 orp arouses of the Purple Stairs stery Story witha holly New 1 ida B RMP RS EAR TAA MBAMAE SS i ‘ ( ‘wis’ By JEANNETTE L. HELM enahoanenninnmmneeesmnenen “Who did—where was he, Jerry?” “The man—dad said he was the one you were hunting for—out in the old ‘sawmill by Hessian Hollow. I was chasing a squirrel, and it ran away up the side of a dig tree that hangs over the old mill. ‘Taint used any more, and it’s all shut up now, #0 the boys can't go in and play rob- bers like they used to. I knew a way though to get in by shinning up the tree where the equirrel had gono and dropping onto the roof, “Part of it's fallen in, and it ain't If you were lost in the Canadian woods end a gloriously beautiful girl should happen along AN THER Wess SHORT Well, that is the situation coniront'ng the hero of Bor teaaed SKIRTS ARE SURELY WOMAN } A GIVE. AWAY 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 in springtime. There is plenty of adventure and mystery in it and « goodly portion of somewhat unusual love interest. fact, it was Dr, McDonald wi! Panted up the steep incline toward them, followed by Quinn and little Jerry. After one glance at the faintly breathing man on the floor of the shack he wasted no words, but went to_work with a hypodermic. hard to get in through the holes. I guessed the squirrel had a nest where 1 saw him run in, #0 I went in too. Just as I Jet myself down I heard rustling inside, and some one whis- pered, ‘Who's there?’ = writhed inwardly under his “I was scairt ‘most to death, ‘cause CHAPTER XI. (Continued,) Gordon Takes the Trick. IN THE Wi on! A) He shook his head as he pushed up i from deputy appeared at the entrance gate and stepped up to them. He Quinn a telegram, and as the other halted to read it by the light of his ocket torch, an automobile flashed y them on the road and both men ped to one side to id it. the road and out of sight. Then he Jordon took. advantage of the @i- 7 they say the ghosts of the Hessian A GED WONEN the ragged sleeve the pitifully verston, and calling out carelessly. impotence and the Sere soldiers that were killed in the battle WEAR SHORT SKIRTS } shrunken arm, and his face was grave “Well, good night. Quinn, I'm going that his sympathy for Ber- waik there at nights and groan.” when he finished sounding his chest to the village to telephone,” walked tha had only resulted in “Yes, yes!” prompted Gordon in an and Hetening to the faint, irregular off briskly. making her position still agony of haste, “What else?’ eart-beats, ae 4 anit, Rained 9 start of neveral feet harder and the case against her "I was afraid to run away even, ‘Not much chance there," he said that brought him around the ourve of iaeker. and stood there. After @ minute my | bruskiy, ‘Both lungs are nearly gone eyes got used to the dark, and I eaw ; # man lying on the hay just a little} way from me. He was awfully white and still, and I thought he was dead, only just then he moved his head and whispered again ‘Who's that? and then, ‘Water, water.’ “I hadn't any way to bring it to him, and I didn't know what else to do, so I shinned out the way I'd come and ran back hom ae I could. I told dad about it, and he come right up and tell you ‘ause that might be the man you were lookin’ for. He'd come up himself only he’s got the rheumatiz. ae it Is, and he no shape td {stand ptarvation. I've given him a \etrong solution of strychnin, but I doubt very much if he even recovers co Garten 7 Soins to die?” asked rdon anxiously. The doctor took from Quinn's hand the steaming can of soup they had t and began gently to drop some between the parched lips. “I'm afraid so, How long has he been without food?” “Only forty-elght hours at most.” “That wouldn't hurt the normal man, but this chap ie very eubnormal, Was this the help, the protection ho had hoped to give her? Must he sub- mit to dropping all further investiga- ‘ions and being slut up in prison by this enemy of his, whose every look aad word showed his malicious tri- umph? Gordon Was a lawyer with all a lawyer's trained respect for the law; he knew that resistance could only humiliate him and make it hard- er for Bertha, but for a moment he was tempted to defy Quinn, to take him by the throat and choke him like Haan't any vitality le! And he says I'm to do jest as you ‘Do you think he can be moved?” beng eay.” “Not now. He might So much of this Indeed was in hia Gordon thought rapidly. Was hands—and yet this Is place to leave him in. He needs con- etant care and ge “Til stay and look r him, doc. tor,” said Rollins quickly, “Anything speaial to do?” ‘Nothing but to give him @ spoon- ful of that soup every ten minutes, Tl give him another hypo in an hour, and that's the best we can settled themselves eyes as they rested on the little de- lective that the latter moved rather hastily near the door. Gordon's voice was calm and controlled, however, when he spoke, “I al be at your service, uinn, as soon as I have put a few things into g¢ny bag. 1 presume you have no objection “Certainly not,” rumbled the detec. tive, “Provided you don't object either (o my being present. And if the young lady likes she can put some things together also, My man out~ side will go up with her,” jon could see Bertha shiver, but she made no protest. Her courage chance relenting and sending him the man he most wished for, and what usi would he be able to make of {t in hi present situation? He might not be the man after all. How had he got in that deserted sawmill? And more important still, how was he to be got out? “What did the man look ke?” be asked quickly, “T couldn't see very well, was dark, but ] think he and long white hair.” + “And a red mark on his cheek?’ The boy nodded. “I ‘member that ‘cause his face was @o white every- where else.” {T's IT'S EXTRAORDINARY Surprising ! THE NUMBER OF Bow LEGGED Women Nou SEE Now ! yO ‘cause it @ beard flor the doctor sald aside to Gor- ‘ho's the chap, anyway? Your man there said that he was an im- Dortant witness for Misa Bertha,” “He will be, if he ever talks,” re. turned Gordon. “He's a man that used ta be here before, named Thomp- mone wall. that ‘edged, the, property wall that edg e and crouched down in its shelter. ‘An he had expected, he heard the deputy coming along the road he had taken at a discreet distance after him. He waited until the Quinn was going there to keep wateh, he struck off in the same direction, but at an angle that should bring him there before the other. Tt was hot work to run fast and quietly, but he did both, and slipped in at the back unseen, It was now nearly 10 o'clock, and he had not had a bite to eat, His heg Need felt tired and diazy, but te did not wait to get any food. He must ae Satpeeed, the bg Be her what |. then @ watch on Wetherall, All was #0 still in the house be felt uneasy; to his excited 1 - tion everything seemed waiting, men- acing, and tt was with a arent throb of relief that he heard Berth: voice answer, “Come in, knock on her door. he was in a light muslin evening gown, which made her fair beauty more lovely still, and the lover in Gordon overcame hie anxiety and made him take her in his arms first and kiss her. and strength In this testing moment were superb and made his heart glow with pride of her. He gave her a «lance of encouragement and then tui again to Quinn, “And I shall have“to have a word with my man. Iam Miss Wetherali’s counsel and I must give him instruc- you can,” observed Quinn dryly. “But as 1 saw him a half-hour ago on the trolley going over to Green Plains, 1 don’t imagine he will be hack soon. He is probably on the trail of our friend Martha, who had disappeared quite unaccountably.”” He turned away with an open sneer and going to the door gave some directions to the man waiting outside, Gordon inwardly cursed Rollins. ‘What business had he to go off like that without reporting to him first? And why bad Martha disappeared? ‘The whole thing was a mess, and here he was with his hands almost literally tied, unable to do anything toward straightening it out. He guessed that Quinn's motive in accusing him of complicity in the murder was to do this very thing, aince there was not the slightest doubt but that he could prove his impocence. And yet the more he thought it over the worse the matter seemed. Kven the fact of the tramp having met hin and his giving him money could be twisted into an accusation if well hendied, and that Quinn ould y bit of his clever- Ing out a case against uncomfortably inwardly as he felt the net closing around.him. If only he were free to hunt for the tramp! He felt surer than evér that he was the key to tho situation, And where was he? Bertha had gone upstairs, followed by the deputy, and Quinn was still at the door, talking to the driver. They had all moved out as by com- ‘mon consent into the big hall, which now was cool and dark, except for the abimmering purple light that spat- tered across the stairs. ‘As Gordon stood lost in gloomy and hopoless thought, a little shadow crept out from behind the big palms of the conservatory and twitched cautiously at the tails of his coat. He turned quickly and looked into a sharp, wiz- al Iittle face that, in spite of its had a shrewd likeness to old “Te you please, air,” piped a little voice—ridiculou like the old man’s—“can I tell you something?” “Who are you? asked Gordon, lowering his voice. “Speak softly,” "tm little J My father seni me to see you! Little Jerry?” Then, as he took a ihe connection and’ remembered the futher's proud promise to set his f little shaver on the lookout,” quickly: "Have you found “{ dunno, sit; but father told me to come and tell you all I geen to- day.” sir, yes," whispered Gordon. "G on nel but speak low and keep ont ight behind me." The little fellow sifd back again into the shadow, and Gordon leaned carelessiv against the door go as to hide him, “) was out with my gun trying to get some squirrels away over by Hos- Sian Hollow—you now where that is, int” nd it's esome, fe from here Ai wood dreadfully 10 Where isn't my siae tha go there alone, but | ain't afraid, added proudly. r Tividen thought ¢ “ls near lon, in fever of impatience, the resemblanc between the old and young Jerry went further than mere looks, He was afraid that any minute Quinn might come in, and yet he dared noc hurry the boy tuo inuch for fear of confusing WM yo re both a brave boy Tell me what you us you ean, will you?" it P rness way, if you and Ww a clever don't hurry out there soon, he'll’ h dead. He looked awtul w and | e@uldn') speak-just whispered’—— “Good. Now, Jerry, can you take me there at once?” “Yes, sir.” In his excitement Gordon had for- gotten everything else—his arrest, the detective, everything but the fact that his man must be found and brought back at all costs. With his hand on the boy's shoulder, he started toward the door, and it was only when Quinn, who had been silently watching for the last couple of minutes, sauntered over and placed himself by it that he was brought back with a sudden shock to his position. “See here, Quinn,” he said frankly, “this boy has just brought me so:ne news of the utmost importance—he thinks he has found the man we've been hunting for and who can throw more light on the case than any one else, He is lying half conscious in an old mill, where he has either been shut up or crawled into it himself, and if we don't get there soon he may be dead. I've got to go there at once, and I ask you as a favor to allow me the time to do so. It is of vital im- portance to Wetherall that I should see him.” Quinn did not move from his loung- ing position by the door. Only in his Uttle, shifty eyes gathered a cold gleain of amusement. “Quite so, Mr, Gordon. I under- stand your anxiety, but I'm afraid the district attorney would hardly un- derstand my allowing you to meet your accomplice now.” “Accomplice!” Gordon stepped back and looked at the little man haught- ily. His face was white, except for patches of red on the compressed cheek bones. His tone was danger ous, “It looks that way, doesn’t it, sir?’ Quinn went on in the same soothin, ly good-natured tone that was so irrl- tating. “Especially if he is the same one you gave tle mogey to—Jim Thompson. You see, I've been doing some investigating too, and I wouldn't be in such a hurry to find him if I were you, I'll attend (o that myself.” Gordon's figt clenched itself long- ingly. There was a point on Quinn's jaw where it ached to land, and for a moment it seemed dangerously near doing so. But the little detective’s taunts, skilfully aimed as they were, had another effect from what he had planned. ‘The young man's anger passed trom the first flame to a white heat that left him outwardly calm and unmoved, and in st moment his reason had time to assert itself, Everything could be lost and nothing gained by a clash with Quinn, and he saw that that was exactly what the other intended But his resolution to go himself for the tramp was unshaken; he must bluff the detective into allowing {t. But how? ‘The man's own words and @ sudden flash of remembrance gave him an idea, “And T wouldn't be in quite such hurry to aceuse others,” he said ly, “I warn you that you are mak- ing @ mistake in arresting me; but it will be nothing compared to. the mistake of preventing me from find- ing this man, For mysulf T do not mind; I feel confident that the Dis- trict Attorney will take the word of @ lawyer in good standing rather than that of an ex-grafter and gun- mM lie The Quinn's lips, now white with anger in his turn, Gordon laughed mock- you sure you know the truth when you see it? But if you doubt me, ask Toney the Bull.” ny the Bull? 1 don't. know id Quinn, with an effort at his usual dry sneer, although he , moistened his lips nervously and put his hand to bis collar as if he were choking. Noy but he vs you-or sald he did,” went wrdon, narrowly watching the effect of his Words, “As you are aware, when we sent Big Bill up the river it ces Tony's evi- denee that helped us We had to promise { he sho protected sainst and ald ‘ ife et, and the only » he can will y be when all of the gang are boarding | words burst from ph “Oh, where have you been?’ sho exclaimed, clinging to him. “T have been so anxious, so afraid that you had come to some harm with that horrid little man. I am peta a so glad yeu son or Merton, and I've every reason to believe that he's the man that mur- dered Mrs, Weseeral: * She still clung to him fe: ' ib Pt ee eee, ata uae and he devoted himself first Mp. ete Venn — es + some, faint | resenblance, but 1 If, Ner ‘Sil'right, dearest; and thiage gouge t have connsoted the two ber a9 sociining to clear tin. We bere \ found our 4 man—Rollins is with him. He stopped es the man moaned and “You've found bim — Thompson? — stirred, and they all bent forward pao alls eagerly, But bis eyes remained closed cp : af re Bey thet: ‘p in the old sawmill.’ a2 2 a camara Mignon te ance renewed ulcer gion 1M den x lace ‘as he alive ing the maa, held it Then the figure of Rolli: the Injection at the end of the hour, “wganity. H at government expense. If I hint to gnome-iike little face at Jerry, and te gui further signs of life ex- | “Barely must have been there ps. Then he gave him some below, preceded by = darting spot of he gave no furthe without food for nearly thi lpg Ree eae the he ee erom, the Rartow path below. more brandy, and bad the eatlsfaation jleut’ trom wie prcket. wea cept that the pulse grew a tiny bit or nearly three days. We brought him over to a little hut of seeing a little color crawl back near there, and got the doctor. stronger. into the ashen lips. nh. Gordon called, and he made bis way CWell, I've done all I can,” he sald toward him. will tell ail he knows. And if you ‘hard; only look out you don’t slp!” He block my way now, I won't rest until The warning was needed, for the did what he could, and I left Rollins " " inn had also climbed down into “rucky thi led and that I at last. after another hour of watch- 7 I've blocked yours—of escape!’ path was ly more than a trace, Qu . jucky thing you an re with him and came down here to tell He was aiming at @ half-guessed and almost vertical. At times the two {"e Jor, und stood silently by, watch: had thi nearly tumbled 1 I've got a very sick woman to mark, prompted by chance word men had to lie flat back to keep from or two, and inspired by necessity; falling into the ravine below, but he was surpised himself at the Jerry, however, scrambled down see to now. I'll go home and here on my way back.” He gave Rollins some final direc- ‘op in YOu and to keep watch on Wether- “Better get him somewhere, soon, al) ‘That will only give him a short spurt, ‘Why—did you discover that Uncle and he'll be weaker after it. He nee enough,” he grunted, the ed awa: Godfrey had anything to do with it?” result. Quinn's face grew gray, and without any apparent trouble, and 1 How did you ever find the way?" tions and turn “ “ his eyes shifted nervously from aide they had to call to him to stop, for S,doctor Lent away, or he'll croak OM jerry ‘tipped me off. Td Just got |,"lll_ Ko. with Fea Me GERD: ont wane Men) ogee to side as if hunting for help. Re- the noise of the brook, which in- "st unow it. The only difficulty is back from 4 wild goone chase after “There's no good in all of us staying uspicious, membering the gleam tn Tony’s sav- creased as they drew nearer, drowned age little eyes as he registered his out his directions. threats against “de gang” Gonion It was the last place where one did not wonder at his alarm. He only would have expected to find a ge wished he knew half as much as Tony. being; and as they came in sight o When the detective spoke voice the weather-stained old mill, with its sounded flat cracked bell. decayed remnant of a huge wheel here, and I've just remembered T haven't had any dinner, I'll be back in_a couple of hours, Rollins.” Rollins nodded, and Quinn, after @ second's hesitation, followed Gordot the latter congratulating Rollins tr wardly on the success of his plan, Where has he been all evening?" “In his own room, He said he wae suffering terribly from lumbago, and didn't want to be disturbed. I really think it is true; he looks dreadful. He can't possibly have found -out anything, for he hasn't left his room ‘We Martha—she must have got wise to my intentions and skipped. I treced her as far as Green Plains, called you up from there, and got Miss Bertha, who told me what had happened. [ didn’t want to leave you in that fix, so put @ man I knew there on thi we how to get him out of here. could never lift him through the roof, and I don’t see how wo are going to carry him up that hill.” “There's another road back in the ‘woods that’s not so steep,” Jerry chimed in, “It leads to an old shack ri? lunch.” “Certainly, Mr. Gordo he sald, hanging over the rushing brook, Gor- ‘bout half between there and the track and posted back here. I met Quinn would naturally want to keep Since 8 with a poor attempt at his usual ur- don wondered if it was an accident house that ain't meen ‘good, I guess, Jerry Just as T was coming in the his eye on Gordon, and it was evident aeaiaie ‘Bhs 1 lees fenton banity, “I don’t intend to stand in which had brought ghe man here. The but you can leave him there and get gate, and he gave me your m . that he did not attach as much im- iy. ut it will be better to your way. Only I'm responsible to brook would drown any calls for help, the District Attorney for your pres- and the inaccessibility of the place for ence, and I shall have to go with any but a small boy of Jerry's type ‘would keep the very occasional pass- I right,” answered Gordon curt- ers-by from discovering the siek man. “Tell your man to let us have the How, too, had he ever reached here carriage and to drive like the devil. alone, weak as he was? Stop a moment—" Gordon had little time for answer- keep @ watch on him to-night. 1 don't want him to know that we've found Thompson, And | want to keep out of Quinn’s way, I gave him the sitp coming back; he thinks I've pect he fer ni essage. I got the directions from him and doped out the rest for myself, as | Wanted to get ahead of them—ani here 1 am. Where's the man—is » our chap?” “Not @ doubt of it, but he won't be anybody's if the doctor doesn’t como the doctor to come up to see him. ‘There ain't no road through to there, and the brush is too high for the hosses, so we've got to walk over, anyhow. See, there's a dvor at thi side; only it's locked. Mebb though, wo kin bust It open.’ “That's the idea. Now, everybody portance as they to the tramp. Would their faith be rewarded? CHAPTER XII. The Stairs Again. T the road the doctor left t ° to the village, but I ex re now, He means to watch, too, 8 UP to some mischief. goon, “Let me go down and see where He scribbled a line to Bertha, tell- ing any of these questions, for Jerry let drive and see if we can't break it Rollins bent over the tramp and them, and Gordon and ,,» or he ing her what had happened, and to had alteady clambered to the roof of down.” studied him intently, “He's pretty Quinn continued alone to- room aed Tit nec on Wego eau warn Rollins (if he should return in the mill and was beckoning them to Under their united efforts it finally far gone, And he must have led a ward the hous Gordon ly if the coast is clear,” 4 time) of his whereabouts, ‘and gave it follow by way of the tree as he had cracked and gave, and they were able hard life from his looks. Jove! if he } to the deputy whom Q: had called downstairs, ried Jerry into the carriage, jumped in himself, followed by Quinn, and they whirled off in a cloud of dust. CHAPTER XIil. inn's whistle’ done, Gordon rather ‘Then he hur- tl Pe pected that Quinn would decline the diMoult task, but the little man swarmed up the tree After him like a cat. Jerry had already jumped down into the dark interior, and his shrill voice came up to them reassuringly: to push out the splintered boards until there was an aperture large enough to permit of their carrying the man through. Jerry ran back to tell the driver where they were going and give him directions to meet them at the nearest point on the road, “Gordon agreod, and Bertha slipped downstairs, He went to his room after first listening at Wetherail's, where a light showed that its ocou- pant was still up. After a few minutes Bertha's soft tap sounded on the door, He opened it quietly, was trying to devise me: by which he could get rid of Quinn, and the latter was as evidently deter- mined not to lose sight of him. “Your theory is that this ‘Thompson killed Mrs. croaks without telling us whht he knows" — Both men were silent for a moment; then Rollins said practically: “Well, we've done our best, It's got to lie there. Tell me what put Quinn up to this idea of making the arrest? man Wetherall?” y “He is not in the house he whis- “He ain't dead yet; but, gee, he's while Gordon gave Merton some ;)., h fraid he was cook Naw stallead ered, “'T lookas The Tramp at Last. hardly breathin'! more brandy. uve | been, efrais te cooking Up rumbled Quinn as they walked along, pered ooked in all the rooms and Gordon swung himself down be- In @ couple of minutes Jerry re- T HEY rodo in allence, except ,ucrdon OW une Rimself, down be- joined them, the two men lifted the tramp and, one at bis head, the oth at his feet, began the task of carry ing him to the shack. And task it deppite the pitifully light body they were supporting; for the path, though more level than the one they had come down by, was scarcely less closed the outside windows. ‘Then I Just saw him cross the lawn and go into the summer house, [ think he “1 believe he knows who did,” an- swered Gordon curtly. “Not always the same thing, See here, Mr, Gordon, hadn't you better be frank with me? I've got to give the district attorney some good rea- son for not proceeding with the case Wie Pia against you. This man may be an “He certainty chose the psycho- logical moment, and very nearly «ot @way with it, If it hadn't deen for Uttle Jerry, we should both be on our way to jail now, His theory, so far as I can make it out, 1s that I'did the crime.” “You! Great Sherlocko, how does when Gordon leaned for- guided by touch and the sound of ward to urge the driver on, Jerry's voice, made his way over to or asked a direction as to Br fA the poy good The place was the road from little Jerry, SUMiNe min ie It was nearly 6, the hot afternoon the still bri light without, his eyes was drawing to a sultry close, and a felt suddenly blinded, ineans to Watch there for you to come “He'll ° wait some time, then,” ob- jon grimly. ‘“Ian't’ there ce where I can watch myself being seen? I want to see he dope that out?” "Ha, 0 @ that no one goes in or out of the . . In a few minutes, however, as he rough. important witness, and again he may j)" pun nF Hh ae SORE into ® ow more accustomed to if; ce could At last. they reached the shack, warrdon frowned as If the mubject not. i've my doubts if he lives long MOUSE to-night.” are all locked: The dust rose chokingly under their Make out what seemed to be a hundie dimly visible in the fast fading ght, Were unpleasant. enough for you to get anything out of locked: no and found it locked, A couple of vig- orous kicks from both men's feet shivered the fllmsy lock, and they carried the tramp inside, ems to think that Miss Weth- erall and I were in collusion. | hardly believe that he hoped to prove it, for there are very few facts to oO On, ex- wheels; and as they turned into the of rags lying on the floor, and the Woodland road, the warm smell of faint glimmer of a deathly white face, the pines filled their nostrils. It was He took out his box, and lighting a # little cooler here, and Gordon took match, stooped over eagerly and held one can get in from outside, and there but he did not '8 No Way of getting down from the justice {2@ second story except by the ble stuirs if we lock the side stairs, You bum at all” Gordon had his, als say #0, He acknowle of Quinn's appoal, | nl By the light of Gordon's matches cept my having been the first on the “tye told you nearly all | know, G4" &uard the big stairs and che front aft his hat and let the soft broese It Finn to te Mlle splinter Mickerea they made cut @ rough Interior, with fot with Mins Wetherall after the Quinn, ‘This inan ia. the Husband of 420%, fom the corner of the hall with: Oe tele tense; with> every nerve and went cut he had seen enough to 4M earth floor, on'which they laid'the murder and Before Wetherall came, Marthe Jenkins (ep calf), and nas O¥s."IN Ream from outside. tantened for nations yet strunmoly Know that this was, indeed, the man Unconsclous ‘man; for it svemed and my-—well—interest in her. 1 think peen associated with the taiuilly skele- » on. "Sit neu wisest to do as Jerry had suggested — leave him there and send help, rather than drag him in the deepen- ing twilight along an uncertain path, he wanted to injure me in some way, and thought that he could do it best by tying me up under the arrest, and so making it impossible for me to de- must wo to b rest “ they wanted, emaciated aimost be- Tey Elis eet ob lace en ae yond recognition, but atill the same by to thi : man, as he could tell by the gray prayed that he might only be in time. fr eG beard and the red scar that , and get some na trying day, know what to-morrow ton In some way. He seems to have had @ grudge against Mra. Weth and to be a habitual drug taker will bring.” T 1 d int th ‘d 1d hi ith J tend h combination would se#m sue\rlent to esgen I uldn't steep!” at hey plunged Jeeper into e “¢ Gordon would have gone with Jerry fend her,” draw suspicion on him, especially as ong’ MO: f couldn't sleep Ne pro- woods, und the road hecame more fiashed bis cheek from forehead to » Ee Nor but he did not want to "You've got hie number,” responded om! A eerael inat"Eh Gan on’ thet ated, “Let me stay up—with You, heavily rutted, ending at last in @ Ps vneit beside the man and felt leave Quinn alone with Merton, The Rolling briefly. “How did you induce gconn'the hvenine uP tive wurden” John—pleas row lane, where the trees switched #14 qickoring pulse, and as he did so little detective solved the difficulty him to let you go off hunting the He watched Quinn closely us he Un ine ond she wou, and they went their faces viciously a# they forced 4 great fear came over him that they by offering to go himself. and he and tramp?” spoke. He did not trust the new Sftly downstairs together, Gordon their through them, The driver the boy set off, Gordon whispering to Jerry to stop at the hotel and see if Rolling had returned, and to leave ‘Oh, I took a shot in the dark and winged him, luckily. Keferred to an old enenvy of his, Tony the Bull, who, were stopped his panting team and looked With, 100 late, that any minute it cease, Fortunately, he had thought to slip a flask of brandy into had tell. little man iced as he passed that Wetherall’s nm was dark tha insisted friendly attitude the adopted toward bim, » ing him this on y pon getting him his is the nearest we can get to akat bs word for him to come up. I hinted, might be induced to loosen The detective could don m to th Ing to ¢ and Gordon w tho old mill. It les down there, pome- 24 Porket Vetere coming, and he now "Sr. made the tramp as comfortable up on some'information. “It: orton man with Rollin teh, and ¥. for he was beginning to where,” he said, pointing with his inan's sunken lips, With fingers on ® possible, with his coat for @ pillow, like a charm, and he gave me free if he knew how strong the se was lack of food on top of a whip toward a mass of trees from the py he waited, but not until he #4, # cigarette, vat down to rein, When it's all over I intend to he might show them more respect, or Strenuou Vening. They foraged in which came the trickling murmur of y4q repeated the dose wi he at was Sor the other punch his head, but Just now I can't even fear. the kitchen, and found some eold & brook. al 6 length rewarded by a quickened throb, ge situations 0 spare the time,” But Quinn's face held only interest moat, bread and a bottle of beer, @n “L knows the way down," piped the mai ni | Which Gordon had found himself dur- That was good work.” approved and congratulation which Gordon feasted with good ap- Jerry, “Jest a piece down the lane Henly 2 with’ dithoutty Hie bloganos ing this past eventful week, none was follins. ‘Is that a lantern down "You don't say go! That's very in- petite. Tn spite of the uncertainty of there's a path,” “All right” Gordon stranger thi this watch in the warm, wood-scented darkness beside the unconscious man whose lips might disclose at any moment the secret of the murder, But the other possibility lips murmured one word: “Water!” Gordon gave his hat to Jerry, briskly, followed by Quinn, "You “Cut along outside and fill this stay here, driver, Go ahead, Jerry!” from the brook! Get back ag quick Quinn said nothing as Gordon thus as you can!" Then to the man rean- there, or only another of these con- founded doodle-bugs that kept me going wrong on the Way up? Yea; it's @ lantern, all right. No before they come, let's settle one thing, One of us teresting. the motive equally well cove: that ease it doesn't matter the man croaks.” Gordon bit his ip with annoyance, ‘And I suppose you've got everything, and the suspense of thelr In situation, he fet a strange sense of much it happiness and buoyancy, and when ho told it to Hertha she confessed to feeling the same, jumped out took the lead, but his little eyes suringly: ‘You are al! right no had to be faced, also, that those lip® must stay with this man here until The detective had adroitly put h “Tt have a strong feeling that some. ned as he followed the young you are with frien might remain silent forever! he recovers consciousness, and the finger on the weak spot. They had no thing is going to happen to-night that man, If the tramp were dead, or his" The dim eyes searched his face. Again he felt the tramp's feeble other must keep an eye on Wetherall, real evidence that Merton had com- will settle everything happily—or un. evidence proved wortiless, there “How do | know it len't another trick pulse and moistened his parched I don't want him to get wind of our mitted the murder, and unless he told happily, L think the. formere vould be litte mercy for either of his?” he gasped, “He left me— mouth. If medical help did not come having found Merton, if possible, and his story, no proof of any one else's hope so. Only somehow T can't wo Bertha or Gordon, here—to starv svon there would be no need for it! it's probably better for me to be the complicity, He felt Quinn's mocking any more about lt. My old Secor “We're not gying to.” returned Gor- ad not gune more than fifty His nerves were at such a tension one to stay here, as you can do that eyes on him, and was glad that {t was nurse would say | was ‘fey’; due I te fore Jerry turned abruptly to don, “Hush! Don't talk any more, that when @ erackling of underbrush watching more easily and naturally, too dark for him to glean much from think it is because Lam with you the left and disappeared. When they but drink this," made itself heard above the shriliing Thank the Lord, here's the doctor at his expression. John veached the spot, (they saw his He took the dripping hat from of \.3 .asecte be started violently, las:!” Fortunately at thim moment the (To Be Continued.) aie, eee