The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-05-08

| pie had admired the case, and II had
been on the point OF sale several times.
Finally II passed into the hands OF an
| American gentleman staying at the
Metropole.
Can you tell me his manner" David
asked. cor describe him?'
We'll. ] can't, SIR" the Junior part
ner said, frankly. II haven't the slight
est recollection of the gentleman. He
wrote from the Metropole. on the hotel
paper, describing the case and It's price,
and enclosed the full amount in elo
notes. and asked to have the case sent
by post to the hotel When we ascer-
tanned that the notes were all right we
naturally posted the case. as desired.
and there, so far as we are concerned,
was an end OF the matter"
you don't recollect his Nance"
"Oh, yes. The name was John Smith
II there Is anything wrong"
David hastily gave the desired as
surance. He wanted to arouse no sus-
picion. All the same, ne left Lockhart's
with plethora OF suspicious OF his
own. Doubtless the jewelers. would be
well and fairly satisfied so long as the
case had been paid for; but from the
standpoint of David's superior know
ledge. the whole transaction fairly
bristled with suspicion.
Not for one moment did Steel believe
In the American at the Metropole.
Somebody stayad there. doubtless, I'M
der the name of John Smith. and that
said somebody had paid for the case in
f10 notes. the tracing OF which might
prove a task OF years. Nor was II the
slightest use to inquire at the Metro
pole. where. practically, everybody is
Identified by a number and where
scores come and go every day. John
Smith would only have to ask for his
letters and then drop quietly into sea
OF oblivion.
Well. David had got his information.
and a lot OF use II was likely TO prove
to him. AS he walked thoughtfully
hcmewards he was debating in his
mind whether or not he might venture
to call at or write TO PIG Brunswick
Square, and lay his difficulties before
the people there. At any rate, ne re-
fiected, with grim bitterness. they
would know that he was not romano
Ing. II nothing turned UP in the mean
time he would certainly visit Bruins
wick Square.
He sat in his own room puZzling the
matter out until his head ached and
the flowers before him reeled In n daz-
zling whirl OF color. He looked around
for inspiration, now desperately, as he
frequently did when the warp of his
delicate fancy tangled. The smallest
thing sometimes fed the machine again
"a patch of sunshine. the chip on a
pate. the damaged edge of a frame.
Then his eye fell on the telephone, and
he jumped to his feet.
What a fool I ami" he exclaimed.
IF had been plotting this business out
as story should have thought of that
long ago. No, I don't want
any number, at least in that way. Two
nights ago I was called up by some
body from London who held the line for
fully half an hour or so. I've-I've for
gotten the address OF my own corre-
spondent, but IL you can ascertain the
number yes, shall be here IL
you will ring me up when you have got
1t. Thanks"
Half an hour passed before the bell
I rilled again. David listened eagerly.
At any rate. know he was going 10
know the number whence the mystic
rious message came--O017, Kensington.
was the number. David muttered his
thanks and flew 10 his big telephone d.
rectory. Yes. there It was-0017, 446.
Princes Gate. Gilead Gates"
The big volume dropped with a crash
on the floor. David looked down at the
crumpled volume with dim, misty
an azement
'Gilead Gates!" he murmured. "Quak-
err millionaire ami philsnthi opist. One
of the most highly-esteemed and popu-
lar man in England. And from this
house came the message which had
been the source OF all the mischief. And
yet there are critics who say the plots
OF my novels are too fantastic!"