Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-03
BY Fred M. &hite
rHApTER XVIII. (continuedo

SHAPTER XVIII. (Continued0
"A man who is highly respected. A
man who stands wonderfully high in
public estimation. There are thousands
and thousands of people who look upon
him as a great and estimable creature.
He gives largely in charities. he devotes
a good deal of his time to the poor. My
uncle. who is a good man.. if you like,
declares that Reginald Henson is abso-
lutely in6ispensab BILE to him. At the next
election that man is certain to be Re
turned to parliament to represent an
important Northern constituency. IT
you told my uncle anything about it he
would laugh at YOU" '
II have not the slightest intention or
appro ching your uncle on this matter
at present"
Because you could prove nothing.
Nobody could prove anything"
But Christiania Henson may IN,
time"
Once more Ruth flashed startled
took at her companion.
so YOU have discovered something
about that?" she WHISPERED.
Il have discovered everything about
1t. Legally speaking. the young lady is
dead. She died last night, as DR.. Walk
er will testify. She passed away in the
formula presented by me the night that
met her in the darkness at 21S. Bruins
wick Square. Now. will you be so good
as to tell me how those girls got hold of
my synopsis?"
That came about quite naturally.
Your synopsis and proof. in an open en-
velope We're accidentally slipped into
large circular envelope used by firm
of seed merchants and addressed TO
Longdean Grange, sent out. no doubt,
among thousands of others. Chris saw
1t and. prompted by curiosity, read It.
Out of that our little plot was gradually
evolved You see. I was at school with
those two girls, and they have few Sc
crets from me. Naturally, I suggested
the scheme, because I saw a great deal
of Reginald Henson. He comes here:
he also comes frequently to our house
in Princes Gate. And yet I am sorry,
from the bottom of my heart. that L
ever touched the thing. for your sake
The last words We're spoken with
glance that set David's pulses beating.
He took Ruth's half-extended hand IN
his. and it was not withdrawn.
Don't worry about me-" he said. Il
shall come out all right in the end.
Still I shall look eagerly forward to any
assistance that you can afford me. For
Instance what hold has Henson got on
his relatives?"
"That I cannot tell you" Ruth cried.
''You must not ask me. But we are act
ing for the best; our great object was
to keep you out of danger"
There is no danger to me if can
only clear myself" Steel replied. IF
you could only tell me where those bank
notes came from! When think of that
part of the business I am filled with
shame. And yet, if you only knew how
fond am of my home. At the
same time, when found I was called
upon to help ladies in distress should
have refused all offers of reward. If l
had done so should have had no need
of your pity. And yet-and yet it is
very sweet to me-"
He pressed the hand in his, and the
pressure was returned. David forgot
all about his troubles for the time; and
1T was very cool and pleasant and quiet
there.
st am afraid that those notes were
forced upon u.s." she said. Though
frankly believe that the enemy does not
know what we have learned to do for
you. And as to the cigar case; would
it not be easy to settle that matter by
asking few questions?'
my dear young lady, have done so.
And the more questions ask the worse
1T is for me. The cigar case, I claimed.
came from Walen's, beyond all ques-
ton, and was purchased by the mystic
rious individual now In the hospital.
understood that the cigar case was the
very one I admired at Lockhart's some
time ago, and"
eff you inquire at Lockharts, you Will
dnd such to be the case"
David looked up with a puzzled ex-
preston. Ruth spoke so seriously ana
with such an air of firm conviction that
he was absolutely staggered.
$50 I did," he said. "and was In
formed in the most positive way by the
Junior partner that the case I admired
had been purchased by an American
called Smith, and sent to the Metropole
after he had forwarded dollar notes Tor
it. Surely, you don't suppose that a
firm like Lockharts would be guilty OF
anything
Ruth rose to her feet, her face pale
and resolute.
This must be looked to-" she said.
1.-THE cigar case sent to you on that
particular night was purchased at
Lockhart's by myself and paid for with
my own money"
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