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Show I ROBERT ffiES BENNET J - zo "ON YOUR HEADS BE IT." SYNOPSIS. Alighting from a train at Denver a well-dressed traveler trav-eler la familiarly accosted by a man about his own age. The traveler trav-eler iKnores the advance. A few mlnutei later he Is greeted as "Will" by an elderly lady and gentleman, gen-tleman, who stop their auto to speak. He Imagines it a case of mistaken identity and announces hlrasolf as "Richard Clinton," on his way to the coast. The couple appear greatly surprised, and learning learn-ing he is to be In town until midnight, mid-night, the lady, introducing herself as Mrs. Kirkland, and her husband ss Doctor Kirkland, invites him to dinner, explaining the action by his truly remarkable resemblance to a friend of theirs. He accepts. At the Kirkland home he meets a young lady who greets him as her hance. She is Ellen Kirkland, and plainly is greatly hurt by his assertion asser-tion that he Is Richard Clinton. At dinner Clinton learns that his host is a medical specialist and that he is believed to be Will Lowrie, a young man who had been suffering suffer-ing from a nervous breakdown and had gone east for medical treatment. treat-ment. Jjowrie had had In his possession pos-session bonds of the value of S100.-iX S100.-iX belonging to the bank where lie was employed, which have disappeared dis-appeared and of which he has no r. . olle. tion. With Doctor Kirkland (hn:on goes to the l.owrie home, the doctor being satisfied that Amy l.owrie. "Will's sister, will convince Clinton he is really Lowrie, suffering suffer-ing from loss of memory. Amy declares de-clares at once he is her brother, and insists on treating him as such, to his great embarrassment. Doctor Doc-tor Kirkland sends a telegram to tile sanitarium where l.owrie is undergoing un-dergoing treatment. Ellen and Amy try in vain to convince Clinton he is Will Lowrie. They manage, however, how-ever, to prevent his going. Bemm. a suitor of Amy and an agent of ; the bank, moves In the matter of tlie missing bonds. O CHAPTER V Continued. 6 "His busy day, y'know," drawled Return, signaling Clinton to come with him through the door behind the rail. "Cashier runs the bargain counter of a lianU. Quite a bore, I take it Give me the vice presidency. Stately leisure lei-sure all that, y'kuow." Clinton stopped short, his fingers thrust into the fold of his wallet. "It must have dropped out," he muttered. "What's that?" inquired Bemm. "The check for the suitcase. I must have dropped it." "You did last evening," replied Bemm. "No doubt it fell out with your baggage checks. I must Have been still a bit confused from that knockout Mow when I picked them up. This morning I found the brass check in my pocket." "Yes," said Clinton, holding out his hand. Bemm smiled suavely. "You'll pardon par-don the liberty, I'm sure. I happened to be down at the depot, and thought you might like to have your suitcase up nt the house." "Thanks. Doctor Kirkland will hear today with regard to Mr. Lowrie, so I may be leaving toaight. But It was thoughtful of you." "You think of leaving tonight?" protested pro-tested Bemm. "The moment my Identity is established estab-lished I fancy neither Miss Kirkland nor Miss Lowrie will urge me to stay. ' "I'd be glad to put you up In my diggings until you've got in touch with people here," offered Bemm. Clinton met the cordial invitation with a frank smile and an equally frank refusal. "That's good of you. But with the town determined to believe be-lieve I'm Vr. l.owrie, and the young ladies annoyed at finding I'm not, it will be a bit to uncomfortable." "Ah, yes," murmured Bemm. and he knocked softly at a door. "Here Is the office of the vice president." A bland, elderly gentleman opened the door. Bemm introduced Clinton to him, and declined the vice presidents invitation to enter, with the excuse that he wished to chat with one of the assistant cashiers. Clinton sat down with the vice president, who remarked re-marked casualty on his strong resemblance resem-blance to Will Lowrie, and started a witty conversation. Bemm, meantime, had gone through the inclosure of the first assistant cashier Into the office of the bank president, a small, cold-eyed, correct hanker. Bemm slipped into a chair at the financier's elbow and murmured concisely: "No trace of the key In the suitcase, sir. I saw his baggage checks and noted the numbers. His trunks went on to the coast. Wired 'Frisco for them to be watched and held. If necessary. The probability is (hat he has the key on his person. He has changed suits to one he wore last Rummer, to which, no doubt, he has shifted ihe key." "Cot it," said the president. "At the first opportunity, sir. I do not think if t""-t to show our hand until we li'ive our proofs or he at-tempt at-tempt To l.'.ave town." A cipher I'-N'L'nini was handed in to Hie prr-H. n fie unlocked his secret code book, translated the telegram, and stated, laconically to Bemm : "Richard Clinton, forty thousand, First National, Chicago. Main deposits: depos-its: draft on First National, Bostqn. for twenty-five thousand, in May, and check of International Security Bonds company for fifteen thousand, five days ago." Bemm smiled exultantly. "That clinches It. He took some or all of the bonds out of the safe deposit box when he went east; sold some, and deposited the proceeds In the Boston bank. To cover up he transferred his account to the Chicago bank, In May. under the name of Clinton. On his way home he sold more of the bonds fifteen thousand dollars' worth to this Security Bonds company. I must confess that I have had my doubts whether he was not right In his claim of mistaken identity " "All that is Immaterial, Bemm," curtly stated the president. "The next step Is to locate the unsold bonds." "Yes, sir. That is what I had in mind. I'll lunch at the club. In vino Veritas, y'know." The president made a slight gesture of assent and dismissal. Bemm rose and bowed himself out as if he had been making a social call. CHAPTER VI. Propinquity. When the bland vice president bowed Clinton out the hitter's draft had been cashed. Bemm introduced the first assistant cashier, who, smiling smil-ing curiously at Clinton, handed him his money. The owner thrust the packet of bills into his wallet aud declined de-clined an invitation to be seated. "Time to go, eh, what?" said Bemm. "Needn't remind me. You're not the only one made hungry by watching these laboring slaves of Mammon. We'll stroll up to the club for a bite of lunch." "The club?" Inquired Clinton. "To be sure the club. That's one on you, old man. It's rich taking you as a guest to one of your own clubs. Come and be introduced to some ot your fellow members." Clinton responded with the quizzical look that indicated a decided streak of waggery in his present personality : "All right. I'm with you." The answer put Beinm into the best of humor. His geniality became rather forced, however, when at luncheon Clinton not only refused wine but persisted per-sisted in talking on impersonal topics. This last may have been due either to the reticence of good breeding or to a consciousness of guilt, or to an antip athy toward Bemm. When they left the club Bemm suggested sug-gested that they stroll over to the Athletic Ath-letic club. They entered the dressing room, where Bemm signed to the attendant in charge. "Open Mr. Lowrie's locker, will you, Jones? He has forgotten his key." "Lowrie?" muttered Clinton. "Saves an awkward explanation, y'know," replied Bemm. "You'll need !' 'He Has Changed Suits." only the shoes; but It's as well for you to stow your coat nnd hat In the locker they think Is yours." A few minutes later the two, stripped to their sleeveless undershirts, under-shirts, were facing each other In one of the boxing rooms. The instructor, who had greeted Clinton as "Mr. Lowrie," Low-rie," was even quicker than had been Bemm to note his splendid muscular development. I'.emm paused a moment lifter Clinton Clin-ton took posltlou. The latter edged closer to him. Bemm dropped his hands. "Wait!" he said sharply. "That mark on your arm." Clinton twisted the arm around. "What do you mean? I see no mark." "Nor do I. That's just it," rejoined Bemm. "It's not there now. You know, Red the brownish blotch birthmark." "Sure," agreed the instructor, staring star-ing curiously. "Have you been to a beauty doc, Mr. Lowrie?" Clinton looked at the two with a quizzical smile. "You say I used to have a birthmark on my arm?" "Size of a dollar, on the outside, three Inches below the elbow," concisely con-cisely stated Bemm. "And now it Is not there," remarked Clinton. He held the arm out to the instructor. "That's a slick Job. Mr. Lowrie," the man commented. "No scar; no sign it was ever there. How'd you do it?" For the first time since midafter-noon midafter-noon the. shadow of doubt in Clinton's eyes gave place to a twinkle. "It's n process not yet fully understood," he answered. "In a few days, however, I may be able to explain it." "A very few days, I hope," added Bemm. He put up his hands in response .o Clinton's resumption of boxing position, posi-tion, and they began a lively round of IHi wm ; I p i Began Searching the Pockets of His Companion's Suit. sparring. He started a trifle slow, as if his thoughts were not entirely centered cen-tered on the contest. This was succeeded suc-ceeded with a burst of speed that would have disconcerted even some protessional boxers. Clinton met it with a cool ring generalship that frequently fre-quently put his more agile adversary at a disadvantage. At the end of the round, provoked that he had come out second best. Bemm called for another. Clinton shook his head. "I am warm enough already," he said. "Very well," assented Bemm. "We'll call it off for this time. How about a swim?" "Just a shower," said Clinton. "I wish to go out and learn if Doctor Kirkland has heard." Bemm nodded and took his companion compan-ion back to the dressing room, where they shifted into bathrobes. Clinton was first ready, and Bemm waved the attendant to take his towels in to the shower bath. "Go abend, old man," he said to Clinton. Clin-ton. "I'll be along in half a minute." Clinton followed the attendant. The door closed behind him. Bemm was alone In the dressing rom. The Lowrie Low-rie locker was next to his own. With a calculated swiftness that lost no instant in-stant in unnecessary movements he opened the locker' nnd began searching search-ing the pockets of his companion's suit. Everything that he drew out be examined with quick but minute scrutiny scru-tiny and then carefully replaced it. There was one exception. Almost the last article that he found was a key such as is used for safe deposit boxes. This he did not replace In the deep Inside pocket of the waistcoat from which he had taken it. After a single keen glance he thrust It Into one of his own pockets, closed both lockers, and hastened to the shower-bath room. The companions returned to the dressing room together, but Bemm was the first dressed. "Sorry, old num." he said. "I have an engagement that I cannot break. You might kill time in the smoking room. I'll come back in my car anil take you tip home." Clinton hunted up the nearest telephone tele-phone booth and Called the Kirkland residence. Mrs. Kirkland responded in a tone that rendered needless her statement that she was deligliled to be talking with him. "You dear boy!" she cooed. "It's like your own renl self to he so thoughtful, calling me up." "Has that telegram ?" he asked. "Not yet. When my husband left his office he ordered it delivered at your house. We dine with you and Amy Ibis evening, t.-o " "I regret that I am not quite ready to " hesitated Clinton. "May I ask You see, on account of Miss Kirkland, would rather wait until " "Wait? The telegram may not come until dinner time. Surely you'll be home to dine?" "Well I am not quite " "You will not fail us?" "Very well; you may count on me. flood by." Hastily he hung up the receiver. Less than tea minutes later a taxi-cab taxi-cab brought him to the Lowrie house As old Tillle opened the door sho peered up the street nnd grunted with satisfaction: "Huh! You're all getting home all right. Mr. Will. There comes Miss Amy with Miss Ellen." He jumped past her into the hall. "Don't tell them that is, say I'm In Mr. in my room, very busy." His shaving set lay before him on the dresser. He looked from it to the carefully arranged evening clothes. The collar, tie, studs and links had all come from his suitcase. His forehead gathered in a puzzled frown. "It certainly was locked," he murmured. mur-mured. As he entered the parlor Tillle announced an-nounced dinner. Ellen looked at him In tender expectation. He flushed, glanced at Amy, hesitated and stepped across to offer his arm to Mrs. Kirkland. Kirk-land. "Since all of you insjst that I am the host. I shall do my duty as such," he smilingly remarked. 'Trim, prudent nnd precise," mocked Amy, and she transferred her hand from Bemm's arm to Doctor Kirk-land's. Kirk-land's. "We stand corrected ! Chawles, you may take in Miss Kirkland." Clinton avoided Ellen's pitiful gaze. "The telegram has not yet come?" he asked the girl's mother. "Not yet. . . . We expect it any minute." "Should have come hours ago," added add-ed the physician. "They're such slow pokes !" complained com-plained Amy. Ellen sighed andibly. Even Bemm looked grave. The suspense of waiting wait-ing for the delayed telegram was making mak-ing every member of the party uneasy. Bemm may have had additional caufes of worriment, for his gravity deepened almost Into moroseness. . Old Tillie, still red-faced from her culinary operations but neat and fresh as any young housemaid, brought in her last course. As she. entered, the tingle of the electric bell rang sharply through the open doorway. "Land sakes! and me with my hands full !" she muttered. "I'll go !" cried Amy. "It must be the telegram." Impetuously she rose and flew into the front hall. In a few moments she came darting back, calling over her shoulder: "Hurry, please! please hurry 1" A blase messenger boy, with cap cocked over one ear, appeared in the dining room doorway. Amy waved him to the physician. "This way! This Is Doctor Kirkland." Doctor Kirkland handed the receipt book to the boy and caught up the telegram. tel-egram. He tore open the envelope and read the message. A frown creased his usually smooth forehead. "O-o-oh, papa !" sighed Ellen. "Bad news !" "H'm." he cleared his throat, "Listen. "Lis-ten. This is the answer to my inquiry: 'Regret superintendent away. On return re-turn lie will wire full particulars.' " CHAPTER VII. High Stakes. Instead of a climax, the message was an anti-climax. For a long moment mo-ment all stared at the frowning physician. phy-sician. Ellen was the first to speak. She looked appealingly at Clinton and whispered : "You you will stay until?" un-til?" "All right," cheerily rejoined Clinton. Clin-ton. "On your heads be It ! From now on I shall sit back nnd enjoy the comedy. com-edy. It is delightful to be petted by a sweet little sister." "How about a game of bridge?" suggested sug-gested Bemm. When, a few minutes later the party left the table, Doctor Kirkland went Into the parlor with his wife. The young people stopped in the library. Promptly Bemm began courting Amy with a directness and ardor that at first both surprised and amused Ellen. Soon, however, her interest again centered cen-tered on Clinton, who was regarding Bemm's gallantries with fast deepening deepen-ing displeasure. From the parlor Mrs. Kirkland watched the young people with growing grow-ing concern. Her husband, though his eyes were seemingly fixed on the pages of a newspaper, had not missed a single sin-gle shade of change In Clinton's expression. ex-pression. Mrs. Kirkland talked In a desultory manner to conceal from the players the intensity of her interesL At last, however, she reached the utmost ut-most limits of her patience. "My dear," she murmured. "soie-tliing "soie-tliing must be done. He Is utterly neglecting neg-lecting the poor child. Can you not see how wretched she is? I gave her your advice to keep on trying. She has done so all evening, aud yet look at him 1" "If it were net for Amy " replied the physician. "That is the uncertain factor. I hud hoped not a little from his manner toward Ellen during their drive to my ollice. But now " "Now?" "H'm. It Is difficult to say what is the nature of ibis concern for Amy." : ;t t Amy provet she is a loving sister. l " - (TO UK CONTINUED.) |