The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-08-28
CHAPTER xxx
The Fascination of James Merritt.

CHAPTER xxx
The Fascination of James Merritt.
On the whole. Mr.. James Merritt, ex-
convict and now humanitarian, was en-
joying himself immensely. He did not
sleep at the castle. for Lord Littimer
drew the line there, but he contrived to
get most OF his meals under that hos
piatble roof, and spent great deal of
time there. 1t was by no means the
first time he had been taken up" by
the aristocracy since his conversion.
and his shyness was wearing off.
Moreover. Henson had given his bench
man strict instructions to keep his eyes
open with a view to getting at the bot
tom of the Rembrandt mystery.
Still, there is always a crumpled rose
leaf somewhere, and Merritt had his.
A few days after Henson departed SO
hurriedly for town the stolen Rem
brandt disappeared from Merritt's
rooms. Nobody knew anything about
IL; the thing had vanished, leaving no
trace of the thief behind. Perhaps
Merritt would have been less easy in
Littimer's society had he known that
the missing print was securely locked
away in the latter's strong room. Still,
had Merritt been acquainted with the
classics, carpe diem would like as not
have been his favorite motto. He de-
clined to worry over the matter until
Henson's return. II was not for him to
know, yet, that Chris had actually gone
over to Moreton Wells, and, during the
absence OF Merritt's iandlady, calmly
walked into the house and taken the
picture away.
you are going to see some fun pres
emily" she said, coolly. to the aston
ished Littimer, as she laid the missing
picture before him. mo: shall not
tell you anything more at present. You
shall hear the whole story when Regt-
maid Henson stands in the pillory be-
fore you. You know now that Henson
was at the bottom Of the plot to de-
stroy Bells character?"
IT always felt that our Reginald was
a great scoundrel," Littimer purred.
over his cigarette. "And II you sue
coed In exposing him thoroughly ]
shall watch the performance with the
greatest possible pleasure. am not
curious. my dear young lady, but I
would give sixpence to know who you
are"
Keep your sixpence," Chris laughed.
and you'll know all in good time. All
/ ask is not to be astonished at any
thing that happens"
Littimer averred that ne had long
since lost the power OF establishment.
There was brightness and restlessness
about Chris to-day that considerably
added to her charms. II was nearly a
week now since Bell and Henson had
departed, and in the meantime Chris
had heard nothing from Longdean.
Half an hour before a telegram hac
arrived to the effect that gentleman
in blue coat might be expected at Lit
timer Castle at any moment. The po-
lice were coming, and Merritt was late
to-day. II Merritt failed to turn up
the whole situation would be spoiled.
1t was with a feeling OF unutterable re-
lief hat Chris saw him coming up the
drive.
"Come on the terrace" she said 81
have something very serious to say to
you. Mr.. Merritt, you have got us both
into very serious trouble. Why did you
do it,"
Amt done nothing" Merritt said.
coggedly. He repeated the old formula.
Whats up?"
"Er-it's about my diamond ~t~- .
said Chris. ST lost II few days D.
II had known what was going to hap
zen should have put up with my loss.
But / made inquiries through the po-
lice. without saying a word to any
body. and now I find the star was
pawned in Moreton Wells"
"Oh, lor," Merritt gasped. You don't
mean to say the police know that.
miss?"
Indeed, I do. You see. once al
lowed matters to get out of my hands I
was powerless. The case now rests en-
tirely with the police. And / am in
formed that they may come here and
arrest you at any moment. fear there
Is no escape for you--you pawned the
thing yourself. In your own name.
What a thousand pities you yielded to
sudden temptation"
but I found it." Merritt whined.
'T'n take my oath found Il under the
terrace. I-I-was rambling along the
cliffs one day and found II. And I
didn't know II was yours. II I had
known 1t was yours I'd never have gone
and done no such thing"
Chris shoox her head, sadly.
"And just as you were getting On so
nicely" she said.
That's IT," Merritt whined, broken
iy. Just as was properly spoofing
everybody mean just as / was get
ting used TO a better life. But you can
save me. miss; you can say as you
were hard up for money. and that.
knowing as knew the ropes. you got
me to pawn for you. Put It in that
way. and there's not a policeman in
England az can touch me-"
II had thought of It," Chris said, with
. a pretty assumption OF distress. "But.
but--Mr. Merritt. ] have terrible con-