Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-09-18

nobody is ever quite so clever as he
imagines himself 10 be. Do you ever
make had mistakes Lord Litt'mer?''
Sometimes" Littimer said. with a
touch of cynical humor. For instance,
married. some years ago. That was
bad. Then l had a son, which was
wnrsa.''
AT one time you We're fond Of your
family?"
We'll. upon my word. you are the
only creature l ever met who has had
the audacity to ask me that question.
Yes: l was very fond of my wife and
son. and. God helr me. am fond of
them still. l don't know why talk to
you like this
Il do" Chris said. gently. 1T is be-
cause. unconsciously, YOU yearn for
sympathy. And YOU fancy you are in
no way to blame: YOU imagine that you
acted in the only way consistent with
your position and dignity. You fanciel
that your son was a vulgar thief. And
l am under the impression that Lady
Littimer had money"
She had a large fortune" Littimer
said, family. Miss Lee. do you know
that have great mind to box your
earS?'
Chris laughed unsteadily. She was
horribly frightened. though she did not
show it. She had been waiting for days
to catch Littiner in this mood. And
she did not feel disposed to go back
now The task must be accomplished
some time.
Lady Lttimer was very rich" she
went on. and she was devoted to
Frank. your son. Now, if he had want
ed a large sum of money very badly,
and had gone to his mother, she would
have given ii to him without the slight
est hesitation?'
What fond mother wouldn't?"
Il am obliged to you for conceding
the point. Your son wanted money.
and he robbed YOU, when he could have
had anything for the asking from his
mother
Sounds logical" Littimer said, flip
PANTY. who had the money!"
The same man who stole Prince Ru-
pert's ring-Reginald Henson
Littimer dropped his cigarette and
sat upright in his chair. He was keen
ard alert enough now. There were
traces of agitation on his face.
That is a serious accusation" he
said.
NO more serious than your accusa-
ton against yolr son." Chris retorte1.
Well, perhaps not Littimer admit
ted. But why do you take up Franks
cause in this way? Is there any ro-
nance budding under my unconscious
eyes?"
Now you are talking nonsense"
Chris said. with just touch Of color in
her cheeks. L say. and 1 am going to
prove it when the time comes, that Reg
inall Henson was the thief. am sorry
TO pain YOU but it is absolutely neces-
sar. to so into these matters. When
those foolish letters. written by a fool
ish girl. fell into your hands, your sor
vowed that he would get them back, by
force, If necessary. He made that rash
speech III the hearing Of Reginald Hen
son. Henson probably lurked about I'M
til he saw the robbery committed. Then
it occurred to him that he might do a
little robbery on his own account, seq
ing that your son would get the credit
of it. The safe was open: so he walked
off With your ring and your money"
My dear young lady, this is all mere
surnlise.''
so you imagine. At that time Regi-
nald Henson had q kind of home which
he was running at 21S Brunswick
Square. Brighton. Lady Littimer had
just relinquished similar undertaking
there. Previously Reginald Henson
had a home at Huddersfeld. Mind YOU
he didn't run either in his own name,
and he kept studiously in the back
ground. But he was desperately hacd
up at the time, in consequence of his
dissipation and extravaganza, and the
money he collected for his home went
into his own pocket. Then the police
got wind OF the affair. and Reginald
Henson discr .etly disappeared from
brighton just IN time to save himself
from arrest for frauds there and at
Huddersfield. A member of the Hud-
derstield police is in high position at
Brighton. He has recognized Reginald
Henson as the man who was wanted
at Huddersfeld. I don't know if there
will be prosecution after all th=se
years: but there you are"
You are speaking from authority?'
Certainly I am. Reginald Henson.
as such. is not known to Inspector
.Iarley. but I sent the latter photo
graph of H anson, and he returned it
this morning. With letter to the effect
that it was the man the Huddersfeld
police were looking for"
What an Interesting girl you are"
Littimer murmured. Always so full
OF surprises. Our dear Reginald is even
a greater rascal than took him for.
Well. he took your money, and that
saved him. He took your ring. fac
snile of which he had made before for
some ingenius purpose. It came with
vengeance. Then Claire Carfax COM
lnitted suicide, thanks to your indiscre
ton and folly"
Go on. Rub it in. Never mind about
my feelings"
Il am not minding," Chris said. cool-
~. Henson saw his game. and played
it boldly. / could not have told you a!l
this yesterday, but letter 1 had this
morning cleared the ground wonderful
y. Henson wanted to cause family
differences. and he succeeded. Previ
ously he got D.. Bell out of his way by
means Of the second Rembra ndt. You
can't deny that there is a second Rem
brandt no =. seeing that it is locked up
fa =; ipl,