Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-10-09
BY Fred M. &,hite
CHAPTER L.. ,Conttnucdo

Rawlins' eyes.
Henson would never have dared"
he said. My mind was quite easy on
that score"
Il understand" Chris nurmured
"And you kept the cigar-case?"
Yes: rather liked it. And could
afford luxury of that kind just then,
Then why did you dispose of it at
Rutters. in Moreton Wells? And why
Moreton Wells?"
Rawlins laughed as he lighted a
fresh cigarette.
Il came to Moreton Wells. knowing
that Henson was at Littimer Castle.
he explained. Il went there to Dor
row S200 from Henson. Unfortunate
ly. found him in great need OF money.
Somebody who had promised him a
large sum Of money had disappointed
tim'
Chris smiled She had heard all
about Lady Littimer's adventure with
the ring. and her stubborn refusal to
give Henson any further supplies.
presently l can tell you who disap-
pointed Henson she said. But fancy
you being short Of"
''Of ready money; l frequently am.
One of your great millionaires told ne
lately that he was frequently hard UP
for s1.O00 cash. l have frequently
been hard up for e5. Hence the fact
that l sold the cigar-case at NIoreton
Wells"
Well the ground is clear so far"
said Chris. DO YOU know Van Sneck?"
Il know Van Sneck very WE'LL Raw
Inns said, without hesitation. "A Won
derfully clever man."
And great sccundrel, presumed"
well, on the whole, | should say
not. Weak rather than wicked. Van
Sneck has been a tool and creature of
Henson's for years. If he could only
keep away from drink. he might make
a fortune. But what has Van Sneck
got to do with ito"
"A great deal" Chris said. drily.
"And now please follow carefully what
l am going to say. A little time ago
we poor, prosecuted women put our
heads together. to get free from Regin-
aid Henson. We agreed to ask Mr..
David Steel, the we'll known novelist,
to show us way of escape. Unhappi-
~ for us. Henson got to know Of it.
Rawlins was really interested at
last.
Pardon me" he said, eagerly. eff 1
ask question or two before you pro-
coed. Is Mr.. David Steel the gentle
man who found man half-murdered
in his house in Brighton?"
The same. But don't you know who
the injured man was:"
"You don't mean to say it was Van
Sneck?" Rawlins cried.
Chris nodded gravely. Rawlins ap-
peared like man who was cropping
about in sudden dazzle of light.
Il begin TO understand" he NUT
tered. The scoundrel!"
After that l will resume" Chris
said. You must understand that Mr..
Steel was a stranger to us. We hit
upon the idea of interviewing him
anonymously, SO to speak. and we were
going to give him a gun-metal cigar
case mounted in diamonds A friend
OF mine purchased that cigar-case at
Lockhart's. Mind you. Reginald Hen
son knew all about this. The. same day
Henscn's tool. Van Snecl. purchased
similar case from Walen' s-a case
really procured for your approval
and later on in the day the case passed
from Val Sneck to Henson. who deX-
terously changed the cases."
Complex. Rawlins muttered. "But
begin TO see what is coming"
The cases were changed, and the
one from Walen's in due course, be-
came NJ. Steel's. Now note where
Henson's diabolical cunning comes in.
The same night Van Sneck is found
half-murdered in Mr.. Steel's house, and
in his pocket is the receipt for the very
cigar-case that Mr.. Steel claimed as
his property"
very awkward for Steel" Rawlins
said, thoughtfully.
"Of course it was. And why was it
done? So that we should be forced to
come forward and exonerate Mr.. Steel
from blame. We should have had to
tell the whole story, and 'hen Henson
would have leaned what steps we
were taking 10 get rid of him.
Ra%lins was quiet tor some time
Admiration for the scheme was upper
niost in his mind, but there was an
cher thought that caused him to
glance curiously at Chris.
and that is all you know?" he
psked.
Not quite" Chris replied. 81 know
that on the day of the attempted MUIR
der Van Sneck quarreled with Regi-
nald Henson, whom he said had treat
ed him badly. Van Sneck had in some
way found out that Reginald Henson
meant mischief to Mr.. Steel. Also, he
couldn't get the money he wanted.
Probably he had purchased that cigar
case at Walen's, and Henson could not
repay him for the purchase of it, Then
he went off and wrote to Mr.. Steel
asking the latter to see him, as he
had threatened Henson he would do.
"Ah!" Chris exclaimed, suddenly
"Are you sure of this?"
I'm afraid this has come as a shock
to you," Rawlins said. quietly.
cit has indeed says Chris. "And
your reasoning is SO dreadfully logic
al"
well, may be wrong, after all,
Rawlins suggested.
Chris shook her head, doubtfuly
She felt absolutely assured that Raw
Inns was right. But then, Henson
would hardly have run SO terrible a
risk for little thing like that. He
could easily have silenced Van Sneck
by specious promise or two. There
must be another reason for
cit came to Chris in moment. She
no o1,f TO of,,l,,