Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-04-11
ors uars standing In a little group.

Il oSof W
Won had surprised and angered me py
entering il by force. / am mistress,
not alone here, but of all this mouse.
The house | now place at your dispos-
al for your search, begging that You
will begin 1t here. My COUSIN MI
Chester. Is familiar with every nook
and corner. You can have no more
valuable assistant. To my KNOWLEDGE
my roof harbors no criminal; but since
the spies surrounding my house declare
II otherwise, I beg that o VII. satis-
fy yourselves"
She motioned with her hand thai
they should enter, then turned n pre-
coded them back into the room.
They stood, uncertain what to DO
but Randolph Chester, livid with an
ger. and trembling with the fear porn
Of Beatrice's cold n naughty ~Lim'
that some strange mistake had been
made, roughly ordered that they begin
the search.
Once more Beatrice threw herself
listIessly back upon the cushions OF the
lounge. and watched them with quite a
smile of indispensable scorn.
The opened closets and peered be-
hind curtains; ruthlessly invaded pos
sible End impossible places where a
man might be concealed; but, at the
end of fifteen minutes, they were TAIN
to confess themselves defeated, n to
| acknowledge that at least in the prl-
vate apartments of Grey Oaks young
and beautiful mistress no one was in
hiding.
"Are you satisfied" she asked her
couSip IN cold emitting tones.
"Satisfed?" he echoed. Satisfied
| that Bertram Talbot is under this roof?
Yes: and I am also satisfied that you
| could disclose his hiding place"
81 thought that you were searching
| for a thief" was the reply she deigned.
AYE. and we win find a thief" re-
piled Chester.
you know the house" she said. II
trust you will see that these gentle
men Slightly emphasizing the latter
world will have no cause to complain
that any portion Of it has been over
looked"
He drew to her as h spoke these
words, and leaning over, whispered IN
her ear, so that only h might hear:
take care. Beatrice!" he said. DO
not try me too far. Remember that I
am master here!"
"Of Grey Oaks-yes, perhaps" she
answered, aloud. the blood rushing hot
" to her cheeks. But of Beatrice
Markham-no!"
"Of Beatrice Markham" he ques-
toned. drawing out the latter name.
rs there a Observation-Disclosures"
Coward" she rejoined, and he
WINGED as though h had struck him
with her open hand.
But he turned and led the men from
the room.
For two hours, from turret to cellar,
the search was carried on without re-
suit.
1--WE must have been m~isinformed,
Mr.. Chester" said their foreman: "and
we have lost valuable time. / fear.
Could the man who first gave you this
news have any motive in leading you
on a false track?"
None" answered Chester. gloomily.
1T could have sworn that Talbot en-
tered this house; but unless he pos
sesses the power to render himself in
visible, ii cannot be-"
Then, left alone. the search aband-
oned. and the officers gone in pursuit
OI SOtllc new tiut, HS SaNt iliS NJ
to black thoughts and baffled anger.
again the officers words occurred
to him:
Could the nan who first gave you
this news have had any motive in lead
ing you on a false track?"
Surely, all Tyrrell's interests lay in
serving him: but suppose-suppose he
were attempting a double game?
Tyrrell was still (by his orders) hold
ing his vigil beneath the windows OF
Beatrice's room. Beset by this new
doubt, he walked to the window, and
gave a long, low whistle, which would
indicate to the man that his master
wanted him.
The m was almost instantly
obeyed.
With d slow, shutting step, Tyrren
approached.
Il wish to speak with YOU" said
Chester. noting that the mans eyes
sank beneath his gaze You gave US
false information las night. What
prompted your"
II told you the truth, SIR" was the
half-sullen. half-dogged answer.
THE truth" repeating his question.
Where, then, is the man you swore
you saw enter the house. We have
searched in every o and corner, and
can discover no trace of him.
its rot my business, sir, to know
his hiding place; but I saw him, plain
enough; / saw him climb the tree, and,
as he sprung from it to the balcony
outside Miss Beatrice's window, the
light streamed on his face and / rec
ognized him, quick enough"
you are sure there could be no mis-
take?"
"I'd swear TO il, sir"
Chester laughed, ironically.
Tn afraid your oath would not go
for much in a court of law, Tyrrell."
1T d be as good as some other mems,
SIR"
Chester's face flushed hotly.
what do o mean?" he Numbered.
Take care, you scoundreli Remem-
Der that / have a moose about your
neck and can make you swing; and, by
heaven, If / ever near of your PLAYING
me false I'll do IL! Now, go! You need
watch no longer. II your story was
true, the man has escaped us; IL false.
Ii viii be the worse for you. Your
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