Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-04-11

@frenrL2mcn. she edAI. Ab NNN f
quiet tone Only a high-bred woman can
sume II commanded you q few mo
ments ago, TO leave my room, shhce
you had surprised and angered me py
entering IL by force. 1 am mistress
not alone here, but Of all this house.
The house / now place at your clspos-
al for your search, begging that
win begin IL here. Ny cousin. ar.
Chester. is familiar with every nook
and corner. You can have no more
valuable assistant. To my knowledge
my roof harbOrs TO criminal; out since
the spies surrounding my house declare
il otherwise. / beg that you VIII saus-
fy yourselves"
she motioned with her hand that
they should enter. then turned a pre-
coded them back into the ROOM
They stood, uncertain what TO Go,
but Randolph Chester, livid with an
ger. and trembling with the fear born
of Beatrice's cold and naughty LIN
that some strange mistake had been
made. roughly ordered that they begin
the search.
Once more Beatrice threw herself
listlessly back upon the cushions OF the
lounge. and watched them with quite q
smile Of insxpressible scorn-
The opened closets and peered be-
hind curtains: ruihiessly invaded pos
sible and impossible places where a
mar might be concealed; but, at the
end OF fifteen minutes, they were fain
TO confess themselves defeated, and TO
acknowledge that at least In the pTi-
vate apartments OF Grey Oaks young
and beautiful mistress no one was in
hiding.
Are you satisfied" she asked her
cousin. in cold, cutting tones.
"Satisfed?" he echoed. Satisfied
that Bertram Talbot is under this roof?
Yes: and 1 am also satisfied h a you
could disclose his hiding place"
II thought thai you were searching
for a thief" was the reply she deigned-
AYE. and we VIII find a thief" re-
piled Chester.
You know the house" she said. Il
trust you will see that these gentle
men slightly emphasizing the latter
world viii have no cause 10 complain
that any portion of ii has been over
looked"
He drew to her as she spoke these
words. and leaning over. whispered in
her ear, SO that only she might hear:
Take care, Beatrice" he said. DO
not try me too far. Remember that l
am master here!"
"Of Grey Oaks-yes, perhaps" she
answered. aloud. the blood rushing hot
Iy to her cheeks. But Of Beatrice
Markham-no,"
"Of Beatrice Markham" he ques-
toned. drawing put the latter name.
us there a Beatrice-Markham?"
"Coward!'' she rejoined. and he
WINGED as though she 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 misinformed.
Mr.. Chester" said their foreman: and
we have lost valuable time. I fear.
Could the man who first gave you this
a false track?"
None" answered Chester. gloomiiy.
IT could have sworn that Talbot
tered this house; but unless he pos
sesses the power to render himself in
ii cannot be-"
Then. left alone. the search aband-
oned. and the officers gone In pursuit
of some new clue. he gave himself up
to black thoughts and baffied anger.
again the officers words occurred
to him:
Could the man who first gave you
this news ave had any motive In a
ing you on a false track?'
Surely, all TyrrelIs interests la in
serving him: but suppose-supposs he
We're attempting a double game?
Tyrrell was still fby his orders) hold
ing his vigil beneath the windows OF
doubt, he walked to the window. and
a long. low whistle, which would
indicate TO the man that his master
wanted him.
The was almost instantly
obeyed.
With a slow. shutting step. Tyrren
approached.
81 wish to speak with you" said
Chester, noting hat the mans eyes
beneath his gaze. You gave Us
false information last night. wha,
prompted your"
II told you the truth. sir" was the
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 nook and corner, and
can discover no rae OF him.
Its Lot my business, sir. 10 know
his hiding place: but I saw him. plain
enough: / saw him climb the tree, and,
as he sprung from II 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?"
"Td swear TO IL. sir"
Chester laughed, ironically.
I'm afraid your bath would not go
for much in a court of law. Tyrrem''
1T d be as good as some other mems,
Chester's face flushed holly.
What do you mean?" he Numbered.
take care. you scoundrel, Remem-
Der that I have a moose about your
neck and can make you swing: and. by
heaven, II ! ever hear of your playing
false I'll do 81. Now. go, You need