Oakes Republican., 1902-06-06

"Socner or later, I always felt that
should get to the bottom Of the mys-
terry, and now am certain of it. And,
strange as it may seem, I verify believe
that you and I are hunting the same
man dowll-thal the one man is at the
bottom cf tho two evils. But you shall
hear my story presently. What we
have to find out now is VINO was the
last tenant and who is the present own
er of the house, end. incidentally learn
who this lumber belongs to. Ah, this
has been a great day for me!''
Bell spoke exultingly, light shining
in his eyes. And David sapiently asked
no further questions at present. All
that he wanted to know would come in
time. The next move. of course, was
to visit the agent of the property.
A smart. dapoer little man, looking
absurdly out of place in an exceedingly
spacious Office. was quite ready to give
every information. 1t was certainly
true that 21S Brunswick Square was
to be let az an exceedingly low rent on
a repairing lease, and that the owner
had lot more property in Brighton, to
be let on the same terms. The lady
was exceedingly rich and eccentric; in
deed, by asking such low rents, she was
doing, her best to seriously diminish
| her income.
so far as 1 can tell, the property came
do you know the lady at all?" Bell
asked.
mot personality" the agent admitted
into the present owners hands some
years ago, by Inheritance. The proper
ty also included very old house.
called Longdean Grange, not far from
| or poSo v-ho fIo 1o1x
son, lives at present. Nobody ever goes
there, nobody ever visits there, and to
keep the place free from prying Visitors
a large number of savage dogs are al
lowed to prowl about the grounds"
Bell listened eagerly. Watching him,
Steel could see thet his eyes glinted like
points Of steel. There Was something
subtle behind all this commonplace that
touched the imagination of the novelist
Has 21S been let during the occupa-
ton of the present owner?" Bell asked.
NO" the agent replied. "But the
present owner-as teir to the property
I am told, was interested in both 21S
and 219, which Used to be q kind Of
high-class convalescent home for poor
clergy and the widows and daughters
of poor clergy in want of holiday. The
one house was for the men and the 9TH
er for the women, and both were fur
nished exactly alike; in fact, Mr.. Gates
landlord, the tenant of 219, bought the
furniture, exactly as it stands, when
the scheme fell through
Steel looked up swiftly. A sudden in
spiration came to him.
'In that case what became of the
precisely similar furniture in 21S?" he
asked.
'That I cannot tell you." the agent
said. ''That house was let as it stood,
to some sham pkilanthropist whose
name I forget. The whole thing was a
fraud, and the swindler only avoided
arrest by leaving the country. Prob
ably the goods were stored somewhere,
or, perhaps, seized by some creditor.
But really can't say definitely without
looking the matter up. There are some
books and prints now left in the house
out of the wreck. We shall probably
put them in a sale, only they have been
overlooked. The whole lot would not
fetch G5.''
would you take e5 for them?" Bel
asked.
Gladly. Even if only to get them
carted away"
"Bell gravely produced e5 note, for
which he asked and received g receipt.
Then he and Steel repaired to 21S once
more. whence they recovered the Rem
brandt, and subsequently returned the
keys of the house to the agent. There
was an air of repressad excitement
about Bell which was not without it's
effect upon his companion. The cold,
hard lines seemed to have, faded from
Bells face; there was a brightness
,,pho Il
fine physical beauty.
"And now, perhaps. you will be good
enough to explain" David suggested.
My dear fellow, it would take too
long" Bell cried. presently I am GO
ing to tell you the story of the tragedy
of my life. You have doubtless Won
dered, as others have wondered, why
dropped out of the road when the goal
was in sight. Well, your curiosity is
about to be gratified. am going to
help you, and you, in turn, are going to
help me to come back into the race
again. By way Of a start. you are
going to ask me to come and dine with
you tonight"
cat half-past seven, then. Nothing
will give me greater pleasure"
'SpOken like a man and brother.
We will dine, and l will tell you my
story after the house is quiet. And If I
ask you to accompany me on a mid
night adventure, you will not say me
nay?"
mot in my present mood, at any
rate. Adventure, with a dash Of danger
in it. suits my present mood exactly.
And ie there Is to be physical violence.
so much the better. My diplomacy may
be weak. but physically, am not to be
despised In "A row.
"Well, wen try and avoid the latter.
II possible" Bell laughed. "Still. for
your satisfaction. I m y say there II
lust the chance OF II scrlmmagn. And