The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-08-16
By Fred M. 4,hite
CHAPTER XXI. 1Continued.,

CHAPTER xXXII. (Continued.)
Chris smiled at the diplomatic re.
Spouse. She approached the panel OF
the wall on which the Rembrandt had
been fastened. She indicated the long
steel stays which had been clamped on
to the iron frame. Look at them,
she said. ut was my suggestion that
The stays should be attached to the
frame to prevent anything like this
robbery. made the stays secure my
self. And what happened to justify my
Prudepce? Why, the very same night
(somebody came here after the picture
"Henson!" Littimer cried. "Ah! But
he could have come openly"
1T is not in the nature of the man
10 do things openly" Chris went on.
RI know more about the man than you
emagire, but that you are to keep to
Dourself. He comes here IN the dead OF
the night and he gets into the house
Through an upstair window. A man OF
his bulk, If you please! And he comes
here hot-foot and GREATNESS at a time
when common prudence should have
kept him in bed. Why? Because he
Knows that DR.. Bell has the other Rem
brandt and will come to prove 1t. and
because he knows that if he can steal
the Littimer Rembrandt he can preci-
pitate the very impasse that he has
brought about. But he could not steal
the picture because it was fast"
You are very clever young lady"
aittimer said drily. You will tell me
Eext that you expected Henson to try
khis thing on"
II did," Chris said, coolly. II had a
Telegram to warn me so"
Littimer smiled. All this mystery
md cleverness was after his own heart.
He lighted his cigarette and rendered
his case n the friendliest possible man
ner to Bell.
go on" he said, II am deeply inter-
Ted"
II prefer not to go into details"
Chris resumed. "All ask you to do
Is to be entirely guided by me when you
have heard my story. have admitted
TO you that 1 knew when Henson was
ccming, and why I am interested. Be-
cause it happens that Reginald Henson
has greatly injured someone cared
kor deeply. Well, I fastened up the
nicture-he came. He sneaked In IKE
khe thief that he was, because his ac-
ccmpice and tool had failed to save
him the trouble. Lord Littimer, Will
not pain you by saying who Henson's
accomplice Isl
Littmer nodded gloomily.
mot that blame that accomplice;
he could not help himself. All, when
the whole truth comes to be told, what
b black business it will be. Well, Hen
bon came to steal the picture, and
Taught him in the act. II you had
Been his fat, greasy, crestfallen face!
Then he pretended that it was all done
for jest and as warning to Lord
t4ittimer And Lord Littimer, the most
cynical of men, allowed it to pass"
IT couldn't see what he had to gain,
kittimer pleaded. II don't now, as
matter Of fact"
"Neither will you, for the present.,
said Chris. "still, you will be so good
hs to assume the same hospitality and
courtesy toward Henson as you extend
ut present"
II daresay I can manage It," said
hittimer cynically. II used to be
eociety man once"
"Henson did not deceive me for a
moment" Chris went on. 'He was
bound to have the picture, and, being
bafIled one way, he tried another,
Lock here, Lord Littimer. Let me as
sumo for a moment that DR.. Bell came
down here to steal your picture, get
hid of the frame, and palm off your
kown engraving for another. Now, in
the name of common sense, let me ask
You a simple question. Gould DR.. Bell
have possibly known that the frame of
the Rembrandt was fastened securely
he the wall, and that had attached 1t
Luuite recently? And could he, In the
short time at his disposal. have pro-
cured the necessary tools to cut away
khe stays? Again.. DR.. Bell can prove.
II suppose, exactly what time he left
h.ondon to-day. No; weN must look
karther for the thief"
'.There is something else. also, we
nave to look for" said DR.. Bell. And
|thalt is the frame. You say it was of
aron, and, consequently. heavy. The
thief would discard the frame and roll
alp the print"
..That is a brilliant suggestion" said
t.hris. eagerly. "And If we only had
That is the frame. You say.dt was OF
doubts at rest entirely. happen to
know that the real thief came and
went by the cliff under the terrace. II
khe frame was thrown into the gorse,
there it,
might stay for ages" Littimer ex-
claimed. "By Jove. I'm just IN the
mood to carry this business stage or
two farther before go to- bed. Bell
There are two or three cycle-lamps IN
khe gun-room. You used to be pref
fy fearless climber. What do, you say
to hunt round for an sour or Two,
while the house Is quiet?"
Bell assented, eagerly. Chris waited
with what patience she could command
eli daylight began to show family ana
redly in the east. Then she heard the
sound of voices on the outside, and Lit
timer and Bell staggered in, carrying
the frame between them. lg.
Got it!" Littimer exclaimed, with
The triumphant exultation of a school
boy who has successfully looted q rare
birds nest. I'VE found 1t halfway
down the clif hidden in q patch OF
eamphire. And 1t doesn't seem to be
any the worse for the adventure. NOW,
! Mrs. Wisaacre, seeing that we have the
frame, perhaps you will fulfill your
.promise Of convincing me. once and and TOE oi,
AL, that yonder Rembrandt cannot
possibly belong to me - ..l
II am going to do SO. "4s Chris sai =.
nuietly. "You told me you had to cut III
the margin Of your print by an inch y for
no round to At the quaint old afram frle'.
1 So far as / can see, the print before ;you
4.isS intact. Now, Il Il as too large 11o go.
the frame FL Il 10 !. I.