Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-08-21
By Fred M. Whie


on. more SiOWiYy Will iii C1c W NV
future. The man had stolen the thing
and / was in a position to prove 1t. He
would be pretty sure to pawn the star
The probably has done so by this time
land, therefore, we have him In our
power. We have only to discover
where the diamonds have been plant
eds that the correct expression?-I
can swear an Information, and the po-
lice will subsequently search h fell
lows lodgings. When the search is
made the missing Rembrandt win be
found there. Mr.. Merritt would hardly
dare TO pawn that"
Even IL he knew Its real value,
which I doubt" Bell said, thought
fully. Henson would not tell his tool
too much. Let he congratulate you up
on your idea, Miss Chris. That dia-
mond star of yours is a powerful fact
or in our hands. and you always have
the consciousness OF knowing that you
can get II back again. Now, what are
you going TO do next?"
'Going to call upon Mr.. Merritt, OF
course" Chris said, promptly. You
forget that / have his address. / am
deeply interested in the welfare of the
criminal classes. n you are also an
enthusiast. Nv looked up the names
OF one or two people in the directory
who go in for that kind OF thing, and
I'm going TO get up a bazaar at Littimer
Castle for the benefit OF the predatory
classes who have turned over a new
leaf. / am particularly anxious for
Mr.. Merritt to give US an address.
Don't you think that will do?"
"I should think II would do very well
indeed Bell said.
The quaint and somewhat exclusive
town OF Moreton Wells was reached in
due couse, and the street where the
Rev. James Merritt resided located at
length. 1t was a modest, two-storied
tenement, and the occupier of the
rooms was at home. Chris pushed her
way gaily in. followed by Bell. before
the occupant could lay down the foul
clay pipe he was smoking and button
the unaccustomed stiff white collar
around his throat. Merritt whipped a
tumbler under the table with amazing
celebrity, but no cunning OF his could
remove the smell of gin that hung pun
gently on the murky atmosphere.
Merritt lodged his head back def
antly. as IL half-expecting q blow. His
eyes were strained a little anxiously
over Bells shoulder as IL fearful of a
shadow. Bell had seen the type be-
fore-Merritt was unconsciously look
ing for the police.
1T am so glad to find you at home"
Chris said, sweetly.
Merritt muttered something that
hardly sounded complimentary. 1t
was quite evident that he was far from
returning the compliment. He had re-
~cognized Bell, and was wondering,
fearfuIly, IL the latter was as sure OF
his identity. All the same, he was fol-
lowing Merritt's uneasy eye till II rest
ed on a roll OF dirty paper on the man
tel s,lelf. That roll OF paper was the
missing Rembrandt, and he knew 1t.
won't you offer me a chair?" Chris
asked, In the sweetest possible mar
ner.
Merritt sulkily emptied a chair of a
pile OF cheap sporting papers, and de-
manded, none too politely, what bust-
ness the lady had with him. Chris
proceeded to explain at considerable
length. AS Merritt listened his eyes
cleaned, and a b~roadeped grin spread
over his face. He had done a great
deal of that kind OF thing, he admitted.
Since Henson had taken him up the pc
lice had not been anything X as In
quisitiye, and his present pose was
fruitful OF large predatory gains. The
latter fact Merritt kept TO himself. On
the whole the prospect appealed to his
Imagination. Henson wouldn't like Il;
but, the Henson was not in a position
TO say too much.
81 thought. perhaps, IL o came over
and dined with us at the castle" Chris
suggested. She spoke slowly and
thoughtfully. with her eyes on the
ground. SAY tonight. VIII o
Gomez"
Merritt grInned extensively once
more. The idea OF his dining at the
castle appealed to his own peculiar
sense OF humor. He was at his ease,
seeing thai Bell failed to recognize
him. To dine at the castle, TO note the
plate, ana get a minute geographical
knowledge of the place from personal
observation. His mouth watered at
the thought.
'sThey ought TO be more carful yon-
DER" he suggested. There's plate
and there's pictures"
Nothing has ever been stolen from
IAttImer Castle" Bell said, crisply.
He read the leer In Merritt's eyes as ne
spoke Of pictures. Nothing whatev-
err"
what, not Iately?" Merritt asked.
sDidn't I hear tell OF az
He paused. conscious OF saying too
much. Bell shook his head again. An
utterly-puzzied expression crept over
MIR. Merritt's engaging countenance.
At the present moment an art treasure
oil p.ice stood In that very room. and
here was a party from the castle Mt
serly ignorant OF the robbery. Chris
glanced at Bell and smiled.
ct love the pictures" she said, 'espe-
cially the prints. That Rembrandt.
The Crimson Blind for instance. I
found a fresh light on II this morning,
and called Lord Littimer's attention TO
AZ before we started. / should lock
that up IL 10 were rnine."
Merrftt's eyes fairly bulged Is ne
listened. Had he not suspected some
deep "''plant" he would have been vast
Iy amused. But then. he had got the
very picture those people were speak
ing about close at hand at the very