The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-31
By Fred m. Ohite
CnApTER xxvm ,con,lnueda

OhAFAhh AAhhl ttOnttuued.D
IT guess I don't recollect the fright"
Chris drawled. And IL there was any
fright, calculate II was on the other
side. And how are you this morning?
You look as IL you had been In the
wars. Got some trouble with your
throat, or WHAT"
"A slight operation" Henson said,
airily. II have been speaking too much
In public lately, and ittle something
had to be removed. am much better"
The ready lie tripped off his tongue.
Chris smiled slightly.
'De you know, you remind me very
much OF somebody he went on. And
yet don't know why, because you are
so different. Lord Littimer tells me
you are an American"
1.-The Stars and Stripes" Chris
laughed. II guess our nation is the
first on earth. Now. II you happen to
know anything about Boston"
II never was in Boston in my life"
Henson replied. hastily. Have you
been in England very long?"
Chris replied that she was enjoying
England for the first time. But she
was not there to answer questions, her
role was to ask them. But she was
dealing with a postmaster in the art
OF cleaning Information. and Henson
was getting on her nerves. She gave
little cry OF pleasure as a magnificent
specimen of bloodhound came trotting
down the terrace and paused In friendly
fashion before her.
what lovely dogl" she exclaimed.
do you like dogs. Mr. Henson"
She looked up. beamingly. into his
face as she spoke; she saw the heavy
features darken and the eyes grow
small with anger.
IT loathe them and they loathe me-"
Henson growled. Look at him!"
He pointed to the dog. who showed
his teeth with an angry growl And
get the great. sleek head lay against
tie girls knee in perfect confidence.
Henson looked on uneasily and backed
q little way. The dog marked his every
movement.
''See how the brute shows his teeth at
me-" he said. Please send him away.
Miss Lee. am certain he IL getting
ready for a spring"
Henson's face was white and hot and
wet. His lips trembled. He was horri-
bly, afraid. Chris patted the silky head
and dismissed the dog with curt COM
mand. He went off instantly. with a
wistful, backward look in his eye.
''we are going to be great friends,
that doggie and l." Chris said, gaily.
"And I don't like you any the better,
Mr.. Henson, because you don't Ike
dogs and they don't like you. Dogs are
far better judges of character than you
imagine. DIR. Bell says"
what DIR. Bell?" Henson demanded,
swiftly.
Chris had paused just in time; rer-
haps her successful disguise had made
her a tribe reckless
'Dr. Hatherly Bell" she said. He
used to be famous man before he fell
into disgrace over something or anoth-
or. / heard him lecture on the animal
instinct in Boston. once. and he said
but, as you don't care for dogs, IT don't
matter what he said"
"Do you happen 10 know anything
about him." Henson asked.
every little. never met him, II that
IA what you mean But / heard that he
had done something particularly dis
GRACEFUL. Why do you ask?"
Nothing more than a mere coinci-
dence." Henson replied. 1T is just
little strange that your should mention
fis name here. especially after what
happened last night. l suppose that
being an American, you fell In love with
the Rembrandt. 1t was you who sug-
gested securing II in its place. and then
prevented my little Jest from being car
ried out. OF course, you have heard
that the print was stolen once?
"The knowledge is as general as the
spiriting away of the Gainsborougn
Duchess.
"ouite So Well, the man who stole
the Rembrandt was DIR. Hatherly Bell.
He stole II so that he might pay gam
bling debt, AMI 1t was subsequently
found IN his luggage before he could
pass il on 10 the purchaser. I am glad
YOU mentioned IL. because the name OF
Bell IS not exactly favoris at the cas-
tie"
"I am much obliged to you" said
Chris. gravely. WAS Dr. Bell favor
ite once2"
"oh immense He had great influence
over Lord Littimer He--but here comes
Idttimer in one of his moods. He APP
pears TO be angry about something"
Idttimer strobe up, with a frown on
his face. and a telegram in his hand.
Henson assumed to be sympathetic.
1T hope 1t Is nothing serious?" he
murmured.
"serIousi" Littimer cried. "The acme
of audacity-yes. The telegram has just
come. Must see you tonight on inn-
portant business affecting the past.
Shall hope to be with you some time
after dinnerv"
and who is the audacious aspirant
TO an interview" Chris asked, demure-
ly.
"A man I expect you never heard Of"
said Littimer. "but who Is quite famil-
lar TO Henson, here ] am abiding TO
that scoundrel Hatherly Bell"
Good Heavens!" Henson burst out.
I'll mean, what colossal impudence."
CHAPTER xxx.
The Man with the Thumb Again.
Chris gave Henson one swift. search
Ing glance before her eyes dropped de-
murely to the ground. Lord Littimer
appeared to be taking no heed of any
thing btlf hiQ oUn anpnvaoca Dat