Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-24

afraid at first. that sensation had en-
tirely departed by this time. From the
expression of her face. she might have
been enjoying the novel situation. 1t
was certainly not without a suggestion
of the farcical.
The burly figure contrived to squeeze
through the narrow easement at length,
and stood breathing loudly in the cor
ridor. 1t was not a pleasant sight
that met Chritabel's gaze-a big man,
With white, set face and rolling ewes
and stiff bandage about his throat.
Evidently the intruder was utterly ex-
hausted, for he dropped into chair and
nursed his head between his hands.
| Now. what has become of that fool ."
he muttered. "Ah!"
He looked around him uneasily. but
his expression changed as his eyes fell
| on the Rembrandt. He had the furtiye
| look of starving man who picks up a
| purse while the owner is still in SIGHT.
| He staggered toward the picture and
endeavored to take it gently from its
support. He tried again and again. and
| then, in a paroXysm, Of rage tore at
| the frame work.
Il guess that can't be DONE" Christa-
bel said, drawlingly. ''See, stranger"
| Reginald Henson fairly gasped. AS
he turned round the ludicrous mixture
Of cunning and confusion, anger and
| veXatious alarm on his face, caused the
girl to smile.
II beg your pardon" he STAN
mered.
| drawled, coolly. "Sandow couldn't do
it, The frame is made of iron. and is
fixed to the wall with four long stays.
It's neat job, though I say it myself.
persuaded Lord Littimer to have It
Cone. And when heard YOU two prowl-
ing about down there I was glad. I've
got the other one safe.''
"Oh, you've got the other one safe?"
Henson said, blankly.
He would like to have burst into u
torrent of passion, only he recognized
his position. The thing was shamefully
funny. 1t was anything but nice for
man of his distinguished position to be
detected in an act suspiciously like
vulgar burglary. Still, there must be
some plausible way out of the difficulty,
if he could only think of it. Only this
girl. with the quaint, pretty face and
spectacles did not look in the least like
fool. He would have to try what
Establishments would do.
"Are you aware who am?" he asked,
| blandly.
What does it matter? I've got the
other one, and no doubt he will be
| identified by the police. If he doesn't
say too much he may get off with a
that you are the greater scoundrel of
the two"
"AIy dear young lady, do you actually
take me for burglar?"
There was note of deep pain in Hen
sons voice. He had dropped into a
chair again, with feeling of utter
weakness upon him. The girls resolute
rlien and the familiar way in which she
handled her revolver filled him with the
deepest apprehension.
II am a very old friend and relative
of Lord Littimer's," he said.
ooh, INDEED! And is the other man a
relative of Lord Littimer's, also?''
ooh, why, confound it, yes The other
man, as you call him.. is Lord Litti
mer's only son."
| "Christabel glanced at Henson, not
| duIulidClOH.
well, you are certainly cool
hand" she said. "You are two clever
thieves who have come here for the ex
Lress purpose of robbing Lord Littimer
of one of his art treasures. I happen to
catch one, and he Immediately becomes
the son of the owner of the place.
am so fortunate as to bag the other
bird, and he resolves himself into rel
alive of my hosts. And you really ex-
pect me 10 believe Hans Andersen
fairy story like this?"
II admit that appearances are against
me-" Henson said, humby. But am
speaking the truth"
ooh, indeed. Then why didn't you
come in through the front door? The
violent exercise you were taking just
now must be dangerous to a man Of
your build"
81 am afraid shall have to make a
clean breast of it," Henson said, with
what he fondly imagined to be an en-
gaging smile. 'You may, perhaps, be
aware that yonder Rembrandt has a
history. 1t was stolen from it's present
owner once, and I have always said
that it would be stolen again. Many a
time I have urged Lord Littimer to
make it secure"
How grateful you should be to me
for having done so!'
"Ah, you are cynical, still, which is a
bad thing for one SO young and-er-
charming. I came down here to see my
very noble relative, and his son accom-
panied me. I came to try and make
Eeace between father and son. But
that is a "a nily matter which, forgive
me, I cannot dis cuss with stranger.
Our train was late, or we should have
been here long ago. On reaching the
castle it struck me as a good idea to
give Lord Littimer lesson on his care.
lessness. My idea was to climb through
the window, abstract the Rembrandt
and slip quietly into my usual bed room
here. Then, in the morning, after the
picture ha been missed, was going 10
tell the whole story. That is why Mr..
Littimer entered this way, and why I
followed when I found that he had
failed to return. 1t was foolish thing
to do. and the denouement has been