The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1892-06-18

appointment could never satisfy my
more ambitious hopes, he generously
placed his purse at fhy disposal, to
use as l might find occasion.
I have purposely abstained from
dwelling upon my love affairs, for, if l
entered into them at all, my feelings
would lead me. to dilate upon the de-
lights OF my brief wooing. to the ex.
clusion of the graverl matters which
form the subject OF this book. For
the same reason I shall pass over the
bitter grief of Jul parting. l will only
say that Edith's last words awakened
courage in my sinking heart.
Icould form no satisfactory theory
with regard to the Great Hesper
robbery, but I was disposed
to regard Van Hoeck as the least cul.
pable agent concerned in it.
1t was impossible to tell how the
robbery affected this mysteriousman.
As l have said, during the investiga-
tion he sat perfectly motionless and
perfectly silent. His face wore the in
scrutabIe expression OF a death-mask.
Sir Edmund had no sympathy with
him after learning from me the par
ticulars relating tc the adventures of
the morning.
When we entered the library from
me dining-room, where our interview
aad taken place, we found Van Hoeck
sitting where we had left him.
81 have ordered the carriage to
be at the door in half an hour,
Mr.. Van Hoeck," said the Baro-
net. "Be good enough to make your
arrangements for departure by that
time"
Van Hoeck inclined his head.
II shall be glad il. you will redeem
your. l O U at an early date" the
BaroneU added sternly.
Van Hoeck put his hand in his
pocket, drew out a purse, and extend
ed it. I took it, seeing the Baronet's
repugnance, and placed it on the
table.
I accompanied Van Hoeckto South
hampton. Neither of us spoke on
the way,-indeed, had not heard q
word pass his lips since we parted in
the early morning.
l took q room for him at a hotel,
and, when the servant who led us to
it was gone. I said:
81 am going to leave you, Van
Hoeck."
A gesture Of indifference was his only
reply.
"Youhave nothing to say,-no ex.
PLANTATION to offer?" l asked.
"What do you mean?-speak plain.
ly," he said.
~ saw you discussing with Brace
what should be done with the case
that held the diamond before he Sc.
creted it,"
"If you know that we were discuss.
ing that, you know all. 1t is useless
to make an explanation that you
wouldnot believe. have nothing to
say"
He CROPPED his way to a chair, and
threw himself into it.
l put a packet OF notes on the
table, and told him that if he had
need of further help he might
write to me, addressing his letter to
the carr Of Sir Edmund. Then l left
him. )
1 had a vague idea of purchasing a
partnership in some business where /
could find active employment, and
with this view l took odgings in Lon
don, and began to look about me. l
had been engaged in. this pursuit
about a week when ] received a letter
from Sir Edmund.
81 inclose," he wrote, ga cutting
from one Of the weekly papers. Vine
growing, as it is here described, seems
to be the very thing that should suit
a man of your disposition and taste;
it would suit me if I were thirty years
younger than l am, AS it is, nothing
would better please me than to see
you a prosperous fruit farmer.
"That Edith might have something
to look forward to, l have proposed
that our next summe holiday trip
should be to San Diego. She thinks
we should find California hotels insup-
portable. Perhapsyou will be able to
offer something more acceptable than
hotel accommodation. In any case,
my dear fellow, you car give me no
more acceptable testimony OF your af-
lection than in awaiting yourself freely
and fully of my pecuniary assistant
ance."
The cutting referred to vine. growing
and fruit culture in Southern Califor-
MIA; but before l read q single line Of
it l had made up my mind to be at
San Diego to receive Edith and her
father in the summer.