Oakes Republican., 1902-07-18
CHAPTER XIV.
Enid Learns Something.

Enid Learns Something.
Reginald Henson struggled out Of
bed and into his clothes as best he
could. He was terribly weak and
shaky, far more weak than he had i'm
agined himself to be, but he was in
danger now, and his indomitable will
power pulled him through. What
fool Littimer had been to tell him so
ruch, merely that he might triumph
over his powerful foe for few min
utes. But Henson was planning a lit
tie scheme by which he intended to re-
pay the young man tenfold. He had
no doubt as to the willingness of his
tool.
He took bottle of brandy from
drawer and helped himself to liberal
dose. Walker had expressly forbidden
anything Of the kind, but it was no
time for nice medical obedience. The
grateful stimulant had its immediate
effect. Then Henson rang the bell, and
after time Wilson appeared, tardily.
you are TO go down to Barnes and
tell him to send cab here as soon as
possible" Henson said. II have to go
to London by the first train in the
morning."
Wilson nodded, with his mouth wide
open. He was astonished and not
little alarmed at the strength and vi
tality Of the man. And only few
hours before Williams had learned,
with deep satisfaction, that Henson
would be confined to his bed for some
days.
Henson dressed at length and packed
small portmanteau. But he had to
sit on his bed for some little time, and
sip further dose of brandy before he
could move further After all, there
was no hurry. A full hour was sure to
elapse before the leisurely Barnes
brought the cab to the lodge gates.
Henson crept down stairs at length,
and trod his catlike way to the library.
Once there, he proceeded to make
minute inspection of the telephone. He
turned the handle just the fragment OF
an inch, and a queer smile came over
his face. Then he crept as silently up
stairs, opened the window of the bath
room quietly and slipped out on to the
leads. There were a couple Of insulat-
ors here, against the wire of one Of
which Henson tapped his knuckles
gently. The wire gave back an an
swering twang. The other tangled,
limp and loose.
zone of the wires cut" Henson NUT
tered. II expected as much. Madame
Enid is getting a deal too clever. I
suppose this is some suggestion of her
very astute friend, David Steel Well,
1 have given Mr.. Steel one lesson in
,ninding his own business, and If he in
terferes further / shall have to give
Eim another. He will be in gaol before
long, charged with attempted murder
and robbery, with violence, and so exit
Steele. After that the girl will be per-
haps chary Of seeking outside assist
ance. And this will be the third have
had to get rid Of. Heavens! How fee
BILE feel. how weak am! And yet
m'sst go through this thing now!"
He staggered into the house again
ana 1ropped into chair. There was
'~.l buzzing in his ears, so that he
c"~.n hardly hear the murmur of
v":"ss in the drawing room below.
ThHA ,as annoying, because Henson
likaH .o' hear everything that other
fol'-s said. Then he dropped off into
kind of dreamy state. coming back,
presently. to the consciousness that he
had tainted.
Meanwhile. Frank Littimer had joined
Enid in the drawing room. The house
was perfectly quiet and still by this
time; the dust-cloud hung on the air
and caused the lamps to burn with a
splitting blue flame. Ends face looked
deadly pale against her black dress.
$50 you have been seeing Reginald"
she said. ''Why-why did you do it?"
II didn't mean to-" Frank muttered.
II never intended him to know that
had been in the house at ALL But I
was passing his room and he heard me.
he seemed to know my footsteps. I be-
:ieve If two mice IAN by him twice IN
the darkness he could tell the differ
encn between them"
you had an interesting conversa-
| ton. What did he want to use the tel
cphone for?"
~ don't know. ] tried to manipulate
1t for him. but the instrument was out
| Of order"
II know. had pretty shrewd Idea
OF what our cousin was going to do.
! You sec. l was listening at the door.