Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-08-07
By Fred M. G'hite
CHAPTER XNNI.
Roll Arrives.

all % threads iii his hands, but he
would have been aStoniShed to know
how much more Hatherly Eell and
Enid Henson could have told him.
But it seemed to Bell that there was
one Very important thing to be done
before he proceeded any farther. He
was int arested in the mystery as ne
was interested in anything where crime
and cunning played a part But he was
still more intent upon clearing ms
good name: besides. this would give
him a wider field of action.
In the light of recent discoveries it
bad become imperative that he should
once more be on good terms with
Lord Littimar. Only this was accom-
pl;.'hed. Bell saw his way to the clear
ing up of the whole complication. 1t
was a great advantage to know who
his enemy was: it was still greater
advantage to discover that the hero OF
the cigar case and the victim of the
outrage in Steels conservatory was the
graceiess scamp Van Sneck. the picture
dealer, who had originally sold THE
Crimson Blind" to Lord Littimer
1t was all falling out beautifully. Not
only had Van Snecll turned up in the
nick of time. but he was not in posi-
ton to do any further mischief. 1t
suited Bell exactly that Van Sneck
should be hors de combat for the
moment.
The first thing to be done was to see
Lord Lttimer without delay. Bell had
no idea Of hunbly soliciting an inter-
view. He proceeded to telegraph
office the first thing the following
morning and wired Littimer to the
effect that he must See him on import
ant business. He had an hour or two
at his dis posal. so he took cab as far
as Downend Terrace. He found Steel
slug-hunting in the conservatory, the
atmosphere of which was blue with
cigarette smoke.
so you are not working this morn
tng?" ne asked.
How the dickens can I work?"
David exclaimed. irritably. Not that
/ haven't been trying. I might just as
we'll take long holiday till this mys-
terry is cleared up for all the good I
am. What is the next move?'
My next move is to go to Littimer
and convince him that he has done me
great wrong. I am bound to have
Lttiner's ear once more
"You are going to show him the
spare Rembrandt, eh?"
That's it. I flatter myself I shall
astonish him. I've sent telegram to
say I'm coming to-day, after which
shall proceed to storm the citadel.
feel all the safer because nobody knows
have the engraving"
My dear chap, somebody knows you
have the picture"
"Impossible!'' Bell exclaimed. "Only
yourself and Enid Henson can posi-
bly, be aware that"
'All the same, I am speaking the
truth" David said. Last night when
you went into the hospital you gave
me the print to take care of. At the
same time I noticed a rough-lookinS
man presumably asleep on the seat in
the road facing the hospital. After
wards when I looked around he ha i
disappeared. At the time 1 thought
rcthing of it. When I came in here
I placed the precious roll of paper on
my writing table under the window
yonder. The window is a small one
as YOU can see, and was opened about
foot at the top. I sat here with the
light down and the room family illum-
mated by the light III the conservatory
After a little I saw a hand and arm
groping for something on the table
and I'm quite sure the hand and arm
We're cropping for your Rembrandt
The fellow muttered something that I
failed to understand, and I made a
grab for him and got him. Then the
the hand made dash for my head
with an ugly piece Of gaspi9ng, and
had to let 60"
'And you saw no more Of the fell
1ow?"
'No: I didn't expect to. I couldn't
see his face, but there was one peculi-
arity he had that l might tell you for
your future guidance. He had a thumb
smashed as fiat as the mead of snake
With one tiny pink in the middle of it..
So, if YOU meet a man like that on your
journey to-day, look to yourself. On
the whole. you see, that our enemies
arc little more awake than you give
them credit for"
Bell nodded, thoughtfully. The in
formation was of the greatest possible
value to him. 1t told him quite plainly
that Reginald Henson knew exactly
what had happened. Under ordinary
Giro ur7stances. by this time Henson
would be on his way to Littimer Castle.
there to checkmatc the man he had so
6eeply injured. Fut, fortunately. Hen
son was laid by the heels, or SO Bell i'm
agincd.
II am really obliged to you" Bell
said. Your information is likely to
be CT the greatest possible service to
ME. ] am sorry you can't work"
Don't worry about M" David said
grinnlv. I'm .yai"ing a vast quantity
of experience that will be of the great
est value to me latc- ON. Besides I .,ar
go and compare notes with Miss Ruth
Gates while you are away. She is
soothing
so l should imagine" Bell said, lri-
1y. mo, ] must b" Off I'll let yol
know what happens at Litti,ner Castle.
Good luck to you here"
And Bell hustled off. He was pleased
to find recent telegram Of acceptance
from Littimer awaiting him, and be-
fore 5 o'cl)ck he was on the train for
London. 1t was only after he left Lon
don that he began to crawl along.
Thanks to SLOW local lines and badly
fitting ,ross-service, it was nearly II