The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-24

In the shadow. Christabel watched with
the deepest interest. II she had been
afraid at first. that sensation had en-
tireiy departed by this time. From the
expression OF her face. she might have
been enjoying the novel situation. II
was certainly not without a suggestion
Of the farcicaL
The burly figure contrived to squeeze
through the narrow easement at length,
and stood breathing loudly In the cor
ridor. 1t was not a pleasant sight
that met ChritabeIs gazA-a big man,
with a white, set face and rolling eyes
and a stiff bandage about his throat.
Evidently the intruder was utterly ex-
hausted. for he dropped into a chair and
nursed his head between his hands.
Now. what has become of that fool >"
he muttered. "Ah!"
He looked around him uneasiIy. but
his expression changed as his eyes fell
on the Rembrandt. He had the furtive
look of a starving man who picks up a
purse while the owner Is still i'm sight.
He staggered toward the picture and
endeavored to take II gently from It's
support. He tried again and again, and
then, In a paroxysm, Of rage tore at
the frame work.
II guess that can't be done" Christa.
bel said, drawlingly. See, stranger ?"
Reginald Henson fairly gasped. As
he turned round the ludicrous mixture
OF cunning and confusion. anger and
vexatious alarm on his face, caused the
girl to smile.
IL beg your pardon" he STAN.
mered.
ST said II can't be done" the girl
drawled, coolly. "Sandow couldn't dc
1t. The frame Is made OF iron, and Is
fixed to the wall with four long stays
It's neat job, though I say II myself.
/ persuaded Lord Littimer to have Z
cone. And when heard you two prowl-
ing about down there was glad. I've
got the other one safe"
"Oh. you've got the other one safe?"
Henson said, blankly.
He would like to have burst into a
torrent OF passion, only he recognized
his position. The thing was shamefully
funny. 1t was anything but nice for
man of his distinguished position to be
detected in an act suspiciously like
vulgar burglary. Still, there must be
some plausible way out of the difficulty,
If he could only think of 1t. Only this
girl, ~ith the quaint, pretty face and
spectacles did not look in the least like
fool He would have to try what
Establishments would do.
"Are you aware who ann" he asked.
blandly.
What does II matter? I've got the
other one, and no doubt he will be
identified by the police II he doesn't
say too much he may get off with a
light sentence. II is quite easy to see
that you are the greater scoundrel OF
the two"
MY dear young lady. do you actually
take me for burglar?"
There was a note of deep pain in Hen
sons voice. He had dropped into
chair again, with a feeling OF utter
weakness upon him. The girls resolute
mien and the familiar way in which she
handled her revolver filled him with the
deepest apprehension.
II am a very old friend and relative
OF Lord Littimer's," he said.
ooh, Ind aedi And is the other man a
relative OF Lord Littimer's, also?"
"oh, why. confound it. yes. The other
man, as you call him, Is Lord Litti-
mers only son."
"Christabel glanced at Henson. not
without admiration.
We'll, you are certainly a cool
hand" she said. You are two clever
thieves who have come here for the ex-
press purpose of robbing Lord Littimer
of one Of his art treasures. I happen to
catch one, and he Immediately becomes
the son OF the owner of the place. I
am so fortunate as to bag the other
bird, and he resolves himself into rel
alive of my hosts. And you really ex-
pect me to believe a Hans Andersen
fairy story like this?'
ST admit that appearances are against
me-" Henson said. humbly. "But am
speaking the truth"
ooh, indeed. Then why didn't you
come In through the front door? The
violent exercise you were taking just
now must be dangerous to a man of
your build"
1T am afraid I shall have to make a
clean breast of It," Henson said, with
what he fondly imagined to be an en-
| saging smile. you may, perhaps. be
aware that yonder Rembrandt has a
| history. It was stolen from it's present
owner once, and I have always said
| that It would be stolen again. Many a
time / have urged Lord Littimer to
make 1t secure"
How grateful you should be to me
| for having done sol"
"Ah, you are cynical. still, which is a
/ bad thing for one so young and-er-
| charming. came down here to see my
very noble relative, and his son accom-
! panied me. came to try and make
! Teace between father and son. But
| that is a "a nily matter which, forgive
! me. cannot dis ,uss with a strangec
| Our train. was late, or we should have
| been here long ago. On reaching the
| castle II struck me as a good idea to
! give Lord Littimer a lesson on his care.
| l@ sness. My idea was to climb through
the window, abstract the Rembrandt
! and slip quietly into my usual bed room
| here. Then, in the morning, after the
] picture ha1 been missed. / was going tc
tell the whole story. That is why Mr.
/