Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-09-04
By Fred M. Ghite
CHAPTER Nj.
4 Useful Discovery.


appearance of the wounded Van Sneck
than he cared to admit. He had an
uneasy feeling that the unseen foe had
checkmated MIN again. And he had
built up so many hopes upon this
strangely unlimited guest of his. II
that man spoke he could tell the truth.
And both Cross and Bell had declared
that he would not die.
David found Cross in a frame OF
mind something like his own. 1t was
late in the afternoon before it trans
pired that Van Sneck was gone and,
unfortunately. David did not know
whhere TO find Bell just at the moment.
Cross hai very little to say.
"a most unpleasant incident he re-
marked. But these things will hap
Pen, YOU know. We have been so busy
lately, and our vigilance has been
Slightly relaxed Oh, it is Impossible
to guard against everything, but he Is
certain to De found
You don't think David suggested,
chat anybody secretly connected with
the mans past"
No, 1 don't" Cross snapped; that
would be impossible. The man had
something on his mind. and, so far as
bodily condition was concerned, he was
getting quite strong again. In his
Gazed state he got up and dressed HIM
self and went away. He seems to have
been seeking for somebody or some
thing for days. We are certain to have
tim again before long
lot a.
turned home again. He was restless
and desirous of human companionshlp.
He even resented it. as a kind of al
front, that his mother had chosen at
this time to go to Hassocks to stay
with an Old friend for a couple of days.
That Mrs. Steel knew practically moth
ing of her sons trouble counted tor
naught. Therefore it was with some
thing akin to pleasure that David
found Ruth Gates waiting in the draw
ing room for him when he came in
from his walk on the following after
. noon. Nothing had been heard Of Van
Sneck in the meantime. but. thanks to
Chris telephone message late the pre-
vious night he had got in touch with
Bell. who was coming south without
delay
There was look of shy pleasure in
Ruth's eyes and a deep carmine flush
on her cheeks.
you don't think that this is very
bold of nla?' She asked.
Il an pretty Bohemian in any case,
David laughed, as he looked down,
fondly, into the shy, sweet eyes. "And
I'm too overjoyed to see you to think
about anything else. I wish my mother
was at home. No, I don't because I
have You all to myself"
David. On an occasion like this YOU
ought to be the pink of propriety. Do
you know, 1 believe I have made q
great discovery
Indeed. little girl! And what have
you found out?"
"Well, you must tell me something
before ny discovery seems valuable.
David, you are a close student of hui
man nature. Is it possible for men of
phenomenal cunning to make careless
mistakes? Do the most clever crimi-
nails ever make childish blunders?'
my dear child, if they didn't the po-
lice would have very little chance
For instance, I have discovered how
those enemies of ours got hold of the
note paper that lured Van Sneck here
They sent a messenger to Carriers. in
East street, presumngly knowing that
MY dies We're there, and ordered a quar-
ter of a ream of paper and envelopes.
These were sent to an address at East
Grinstead in a hurry. Now, that was
very clever and smart but here comes
the folly. These people. in the stress of
business, actually forgot to ascertain
the cost and pay for the paper, SO that
It was down yesterday in my last quar-
ter's bill. Oh, yes. I assure you, the
most brilliant criminals do the most
Incredibly foolish things"
Ruth looked relieved Her pretty
features relaxed into a smile.
"Then I fancy Reginald Henson has
done So" she said. II fancy I have
solved the myster, of the cigar easel
mean. the mystery of the one bought"
"And which was changed for the one
purchased at Walen's. hence these
tears. But Lockharts say that our ca Sc
was really purchased by an American
eyes, know. And I fancy that the
manager honestly thought so. But I
think I can explain that
1t was David's turn to LOOK up, ca
Gerly.
''Do you mean it?" he exclaimed
SIT will make 4 wonderful difference if
sou can. That has been one of the
most 1c,Hildering knots of the whole
puzzle. If VIC could crly trace the num-
s,ers of those notes, l suppose changed
ct the same lime rs the cigar case"
Indeed. they were not" Ruth cried.
81 have ascc,ta,ncd that the case was
changed Ivy Henson. as you and I have
already d"cid"l. Henson made the ex-
change. not ut The slime we thought"
Not when You left the package on
the table FOR him to sne?''
'Nn: az least J cant say. He had
inc ether case .h.n. probably. passed
on 10 him f,y Nan Sack. Or perhaps
10 merely asccytaincd what l had pu:-
chased. r:.:l was sufficient for his pur-
pose. OF cnrIs'>. lie laust have found
cut al aho:,. urr scheme. After l had
1sil my t:Ga:' ease Oh .,our doorstep Il
wan qu;c:i: chan-"A i! for the one pur-
enasa,. at W.'lc;.'s. i.ut this is; the al
sernate i':enry '.nls. Anyway, ] am
absolutely ca,l;;;il :i,it yuu got exactly
she same rct&: that We had placed in
Nlr o.!2'na! case
"That n'ie,:: b." S'Hrl said, thought; :
fully. "Ewt :i,a: docs Hnt explain tie