The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-08-23

gets up your bazaar, I'll do what I can
to help"
Then you will dine with US to-
night?'' Chris asked, eagerly. Don't
say no. I met a man once with past
like yours at Lady Roslingham's, and
he was 50 Interesting. We will call for
you in an hours time with the wagon
cite. Then we can settle halt bur plans
before dinner" Is
Merritt was gracious1y pleased to be
agreeable. Moreover, he was utterly
puzzled and absolutely consumed with
an oyerpowering curiosity. It seemed
also to him a sheer waste OF Providence
to discard such an offer. And the plate
at Litttmer Castle was superb!
Meanwhile Chris and Bell walked
down the street together. He was
puzzled over the Rembrandt Chris
said. "seetng that he has our pic
ture-" .2s345
"'No doubt about IT. The picture was
rolled UP and stood on the .mantel-
Shelf. followed Merritt's gaze, know
ting. perfectly well that 1t would rest
presently on the picture II 1t was In
the room. At the same time our inter-
ested friend, In chuckling over the way
he has deceived 'us, clean forgot the
yellow pawn ticket lying on the table"
'tDr. Bell, do you meap to say that"
That know where you, diamond
star lis pledged. Indeed, I do. Merritt
had probobly just turned out his pock-
cts as we entered. The pawn ticket
was on the table, and related to dia-
mond aigrette pawned by one James
Merrttt-mark the simple cunning Of
the man-with Messrs. Rutter & Co..
III High street. That In itself, is an
exceedingly valuable discovery and
one we can afford to keep to ourselves
Tor the present. At the same time, I
should like very much. to know what
Rutter & Co. are like. Let me go down
to the shop and make some simple pur-
chase"
Rutter & Co. proved to be very
high-class shop, indeed, despite the fact
that there was a pawnbroking branch
of the business. The place was quite
worthy Of Bond street, the stock was
brilliant and substantial, the assistants
quite above the provincial class. AS
Bell was turning over some sleeve-
links Chris was examining case Of
silver and gold cigarette cases and the
like She picked up a cigar-case, at
length, and asked the price. At the
mention Of fifty guineas. she dropped
the trifle with q little moue Of surprise.
at looks as IL It had been used" she
said. S
TT is not absolutely new. madam"
the assistant admitted, therefore. the
price IL low. But the gentleman who
sold 1t to us proved that he had only
had It for a few days. The doctor had
ordered him not to smoke in future,
and So, t.t3 &t4 s:
CHS turned away to something elsa;
Bell completed his purchases, and to-
gether they left the shop. Once out
side, Chris gripped her companions
arm excitedly.
Another great discovery" she said.
Ibid you see me looking at that cigar
case-a gun-metal. one set with dia-
-monds? You recollect that Ruth Gates
purchased, a case like that for. that
that foolishness we thought pf In con-
;nection with Mr.. Steel. The case had
a little arrow-shaped scratch. with the
head Of the arrow formed Of the big
gest diamond. Enid told me all this
the night before I left Longdean
Grange. DR.. Bell, I am absolutely GER
tain that I have had in my hand Just
now the very case bought by Ruth
from Lockhart's in Brighton!"
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