Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-08-28
CHAPTER XXXIX
The Fascination of James Merritt.

CHAPTER XXXIX
The Fascination of James Merritt.
On the whole. Mr.. James Merritt, ex-
convict ana now humanitarian, was en-
joying himself immensely. He did not
sleep at the castle, for Lord Littimer
drew the line there. but he contrived to
get most of his meals under that hos
piatble roof, and spent great deal of
time there. 1t was by no means the
first time he had been taken up" by
the aristoc-acy since his conversion,
and his shyness was wearing OFF.
Moreover. Henson had given his hench-
man strict instructions to keep his eyes
open with view to getting at the bot
tom of the Rembrandt mystery.
Still, there is always a crumpled rose
leaf somewhere, and Merritt had his.
A few days after Henson departed so
hurriedly for town the stolen Rem
brandt disappeared from Merritt's
rooms. Nobody knew anything about
it: the thing had vanished. leaving no
trace of the thief behind. Perhaps
Littimer's society had he known that
the missing print was securely locked
away in the latter's strong room. Still.
had Merritt been acquainted with the
classics, carpe diem would like as not
have been his favorite motto. He de-
clined to worry over the matter until
Henson's return. 1t was not for him to
know, yet. that Chris had actually gone
over to Moreton Wells, and, during the
absence of Merritt's landlady, calmly
walked into the house and taken the
picture away.
You are going to see some fun pres
entity she said, coolly, to the aston
ished Littimer. as she laid the missing
picture before him. mo; I shall not
tell you anything more at present. You
shall hear the whole story when Regi-
nald Henson stands in the pillory be-
fore you. You know now that Henson
was at the bottom of the plot to de-
st,oy Bells character?''
II always felt that our Reginald was
great scoundrel," Littimer purred,
over his cigarette. "And if you sue
coed in exposing him thoroughly I
shall watch the performance with the
curious, my dear young lady, but I
would give sixpence to know who you
are"
Keep your sixpence." Chris laughed.
and you'll know all in good time. All
I ask is not to be astonished at any,
thing that happens"
Lttimor averred that he had long
since lost the power of establishment.
There was a brightness and restlessness
about Chris to-day that considerably
added to her charms. 1t was nearly a
week now since Bell and Henson had
departed and in the meantime Chris
had heard nothing from Longdean.
Half an hour before a telegram had
arrived to the effect that a gentleman
in blue coat might be expected at Lit
timer Castle at any moment. The po-
lice We're coming, and Merritt was late
to-day If Merritt failed to turn UP
the whole situation would be spoiled.
1t was with a feeling of unutterable re-
lief hat Chris saw him coming up the
drive.
Come on the terrace" she said. II
have something very serious to say to
you. Mr.. Merritt, you have got us both
into very serious trouble. Why did you
do it?''
Amt done nothing" Merritt said,
6oggedly. He repeated the old formula,
whats up"
"Er-lt's about my diamond star"
said Chris. Il lost it few days ago.
If I had known what was going to hap
rem ! should have put up with my loss.
But l male inquiries through the po-
lice, without saying a word to any
body. and now l find the star was
pawned in Moreton Wells"
'Oh, lor." Merritt gasped. "You don't
mean to say the police know that,
MISS"
Indeed. do. You see. once I al
loved matters to get out of my hands I
was powerless. The case now rests en-
tirely with the police. And I am in
termed that they may come here and
arrest you at any moment. fear there
Is no escape for you-you pawned the
thing yourself. in your own name
What thousand pities you yielded to
sudden temptation"
But I found It," Merritt whined
I'll take ny oath found it under the
terrace. I-I-was rambling along the
cliffs one day and found it. And
didn't know 1t was yours. If had
known it was yours I'd never have gone
and done no such a thing"
Chris shoox her head, sadly.
And just as you were getting on sc
| nicely" she said.
That's it," Merritt whined, broken
~ Just as I was properly spoofing
trerybody-I mean just as I was get.
ting used to a better life But you car
siV" me, miss; you can say as YOU
were hard up for money. and that
| Knowing az l knew the ropes. you got
IN" to pawn for you. Put it in thai
| way. and there's not n policeman ir
| England as can touch me-"
| Il had thought of IT," Chris said with
a pretty assumption OF distress. "Bu,
but-Mv. Merritt. l have terrible con.