Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-09-11
XIII.
Nearing the Truth.

David Steel stood &C n~templating the
weird scene with almost doubling eye
In his widest moments he had never
imagined anything more dramatic than
this. The candle In its silver sconce,
that Mrs. Henson had snatched up be-
fore her flight, was p~erilously near her
flimsy dress. Henson caught her once
more in a fierce grip David could stand
II no longer. AS Henson came by him
his right arm flashed out, there was a
dull thud. and Henson. without having
the least idea what had happened, fell
to the ground with a very hazy idea Of
his surroundings for a moment or two.
Equally unconscious that she had a
protector handy. Mrs. Henson turned
and fled for the house. A minute later
and she was followed by Henson, still
puzzlsng his racking head to know what
had happened. David would have fol-
lowed. but the need for caution flashed
upon him. IL he stood there, perfectly
still, Henson would never know who his
antagonist was. David stood there,
waiting. AS he glanced around ne saw
some little object glittering at his feet.
1t was the ruby ring!
BE you there. STRIP a rusty voice
whispered near by.
II am, Williams" David replied. II
have been waiting for some time"
Williams chuckled, making no kind Of
apology for his want of punctuality.
i've been lookin after our man, sir"
he said. That Dutch chap what Miss
Enid said you'd come for. And / saw
all hat business In the shrubbery Just
now N.Y. If / didn't feel good when
you laid out Henson on the grass. The
sound of that smack was as good as ten
years wages for me. And he's gone off
to his room with a basin of vinegar and
a ream Of brown paper. Why didn't
you break his neck?"
David suggested that the law took a
preiudiced view OF that kind of thing,
and h a 1t would be a pity TO hang
nyone for such o creature as Reginald
Henson.
Our man is all right?'' he asked.
"As a ~triyet,' said williams. Sleep
ing like a babby; he's In my own bed
over the stable. I'll show you into the
harness room, where Miss Ends wait
ing for you, sir. and then I'll go and see
as Henson don't come prowling about.
Not as he's likely to. considering the
clump on the side of the head you gave
him. I take it kind OF Providence to let
me see that"
Williams hobbled away, chuckling TO
himself and followed by David. There
was a feeble oil lamp In the harness
rnnna ENnfA x.yao ryoffinor tAa~o 2--1orz
ly.
so you have put Henson out of the
way for a time" she said. He passed
me just now. using awful language. and
wondering how 1t had all come about.
Wasn't Ii a strange thing that Van
Sneck should come here?"
mot very" David said. He is evil
IDENTIFY looking for his master, Reginald
Henson, / have not the slightest doubt
that he has been here many times be-
fore. Williams says he is asleep. Pity
to wake him just yet, don't you think !"
Perhaps it is. But I am horribly
afraid ef our ear friend, Reginald, all
the same"
Our dear Reginald will not trouble
us Just yet. He came down as far as
London with Bell. OF course, he has
heard the news OF Van Sneck's flight.
Was he disturbed"
II have never seen him in such a pas
sion before, Mr.. Steel. And not only
was he in a passion, but he was horri-
bly, afraid about something. And he
has made a discovery"
He hasn't found out hat your sis
ter
rs at Littimer Castle? That is really
the most eonsoling part of the business.
He has been at Littimer for a day or
two, and he has not the remotest Idea
that Christobel Lee is our Chris"
"A feather In your sisters cap. She
has quite c~aptivated Littimer, Bell
says"
"And she played her part splendidly.
Mr.. Steel. II is very, very good TO know
that Hatherly has cleared himself In
the eyes of Lord Littimer at last. Did
Reginald suspect"