Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-05-15
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She held one hand, with an I'm
| ploring gesture. and the red lips were
~quivering, and her eyes were full Of
tears. David's warm heart went out
to her; he forgot all his own troubles
and dangers in his sympathy for the
young creature I'm distress.
Pray say no more about it!' he
cried. He caught the outstretched hand
in his and pressed IL to his lips. 1T
| don't wish to hurry you; In fact, haste
is dangerous. And there s ample time.
Nor am I going TO press you. Still, be-
fore long you may find some way to
give me a clue without sacrificing a jot
of your fine loyalty lowell, others. I
would not distress you for the world,
Miss Gates. DONE you think that tins
has been the most extraordinary inter-
view?"
The tears trembled like diamonds on
the girls long lashes and a smile
flashed over her face. The sudden
transformation was wonderfully fas-
cinating.
What o might call an impossible
interview" che laughed. And all the
more impossible because IT was quite
impossible that you shorlds ever have
been here before"
When I was in this room. two nignts
ago." David protested, 81 saw"
Did you see me, for instance? II
not, you couldn't have been here!"
A small. m~is-shapen figure. with the
face Of Byron-Apollo on the bust of
Satyr-came in from behind tn. fold
ing doors of the back dining room. car
rying some letters in his hand. The
strangers pleasing eyes were hxed in
quiringly upon Steel.
Bell" the latter cried: "Hatherly
Bell! you have been ii~stening?''
The little man with the god-like head
admitted the fact. coolly. He had been
writing letters in the back room, and
escape had been impossible for him.
Funny enough, I was going to look
o up to-day" he said. "You did me
a great service once, and I am longing
TO repay POI i came down here to
give my friend, Gates the benefit OF
my advice and assistance over "a large
philanthropic scheme he has just
evolved. And. writing letters yonder
on that subject. I heard your extraor-
binary conversation. Can I help you.
Steel?"
MY dear fellow!" David cried, "if
you offered me every intellect in Eu-
rope / should not choose one OF them
SO gladly as yours!"
Then let us shake hands on the
bargain. And now I am going to stag
ger you: i heard you state positively
h a two nights ago you were In this
very room"
IT m prepared to testify the fact on
oath. anywhere. my dear Bell
Very Well; will you be good enough
to state the hour"
Certainly. / was here from 1 4 O'Clock
SAY between 1 and g."
And I was here. also. From IL
o'clock until 2 I was in this very room,
working out some calculations at this
very table by the aid of my reading
lamp. no other light being in the room.
even in h house, so far as I know. 1t
is one of my fads-as fools call hem
to work In a large, dark room with one
brilliant light only. Therefore, you
could not possibly have been In the
house. to say nothing OF this room, on
the night in question"
David nodded feebly. There was no
combating Bells statement.
II presume that this is No. 21s?" he
asked.
Certainly II u.s." Miss Gates replied.
1--WE are all agreed about that"
Because / read the number over the
fanlight," Steel went on. And I came
here by arrangement. And there was
everything as I see 1t now. Bell. You
must either cure me of this delusion,
or yon must prove. logically, to me
hat / have made a mistake. So far as
i am concerned. 1 am like a child
struggling with the alphabet"
Wen start now" said Bell. "Come
along"
Steel rose, none too willingly. he
would fain have fingered with Ruth.
She held out her hand; there was a
warm. glad smile on her face.
May o be successful" she whis-
pered. Come and see me again, be-
cause I shall be very, very anxious to
know. And I am not without guilt-if
you only knewl"
And I may come again7" David
said, eagerly.
A further smile and a warm pressure
of the hand were the only reply. Pres
entity Steel was standing outside In the
road with Bell. 1.-THE latter was glanc-
ing at the house on either side OF PIG.
The higher house was let; the one
nearest the sea-21S-was empty. A bill
in the window gave the information
that the property was In the hands OF
Messrs. Wallace e. Brown, Station
Quadrant. where keys could be OBJ
tanned.
Wen make a start straightaway,"
said Bell. "Coms along"
Where are you going TO at that
PAGER" Steel asked.
Going to interview Messrs. Wallace
& Brown AT the present / am
a gentleman who is In search OF a pla re
of residence. and I have a weakness for
Brunswick Square In particular. espe-
cially for No. 21S. Unless I am greatly
mistaken. I am going TO show you
thing that win startle even the most
callous novelist"
CHAPTER VIII.
Hather1y Bell.
The queer. mis-shapen figure. strid-