The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-24


age. and the game is yours. All"
The intruder dropped inside and
| pulled the window behind him. Evil
! IDENTIFY he was on familiar ground,
was shaking. She noticed the lines that
pain had given under those shrewd
black eyes.
You must see my orchids" he said.
Most OF these specimens obtained
myself. They tell me I have at least
three unique kinds. And now. II you
will permit me. am going TO smoke.
| The drawing room Is at your disposal,
though I rarely enter II myself. al
way3 retire at II. but that need not
bind you In any way. II has been alto
gether a most delightful evening"
But Christabel did not daily long In
the drawing room. As she went up
stairs and along the corridor she heard
the swapping OF the electric lights all
over the house as the servants were
preparing TO retire. She paused just
moment in the alcove where the pre-
cious Rembrandt was, and located
carefully the position OF the switch
there. Then she retired to her own
room. where she changed her dress to
simple black gown. big clock some
where was striking 10 as she finished.
She looked at the door. The whole
house was in darkness. the silence
seemed 10 cling like a curtain.
She paused for a moment, as II afraid
to take the next step. II IT was fear,
she shook IL aside resolutely and crept
into the corridor. She carried some
thing shining in her hands. something
that cleaned In the dim, uncertain
light from the big window. She stood,
Just for an instant with a feeling that
somebody was climbing up the ivy out
side the house. She felt her way along
until she came to the alcove containing
the Rembrandt. and then she stopped.
Her fingers slid along the wall till her
fingers touched the switch of the cleo
trio light.
She stood for long time there per-
fectly motionless. II was a still night
outside, and there was nothing TO ac-
count for the rustling of the ivy leaves.
The rafting came in jerks. spasmod-
ically. stopping every now and then
and resuming again. II was no longer
a matter OF imagination, II was GER
though he seemed to be seeking an I'M
familiar object Christabels hand stole
along to the switch: there was click,
and the alcove was clothed in brilliant
light. The intruder shrank back with
a startled cry. He rubbed his dazed
eyes.
"why not come in through the
front door, Mr.. Littimer?" Christabel
drawled, coolly.
Frank Littimer had no words for
moment. He was wondering who this
woman was and what she was doing
here. American, evidently, by her ac-
cent, and also by the revolver that she
handled so assuredly.
THAT is the way you used to enter"
Christabel proceeded, when you had
been out contrary 20 parental instruc-
tions and the keepers expected TO have
n fracas with the poachers. Your bed
room being exactly opposite, detection
was no easy matter. Your bed room has
never been touched since you left. ne
key is still outside the lock. VIII you
kindly enter it?'
But" Frank stammered. "But I
assure you that cannot"
take the Rembrandt away. You
cannot. The frame is of iron. and II Is
fastened TO the wall. II would take an
experienced carpenter quite a long time
to remove IT, Therefore, your mission
has failed. II Is very annoying, because
II puts the other man In very awk-
ward position. The position is going to
be still more awkward presently. Please
go TO your room"
my dear lady. II my father knows
that I am in the house"
''IIe Is not going to know that you are
in the house. at least not for some little
time. And when you see him Il will be
better not to say more than Is neces.
81, ry. Later on you will recognize what
a friend / am TO you"
you are not showing II at present"
Iittimer said, desperately.
"The patient rarely sees any virtue In
his medicine. Now, please go to your
room. I can hear the other man NUT
| tering AMI getting anxious down below.
4 Now IL you approach that window
again, / arm pretty certain that my re-
yolver will go off. You see. am an
| American. and we are so careless with
such weapons. Please go to your room
| at once"
"And il refuse your ridiculous re-
quest?"
.'You will not find my request In the
! least ridiculous, II you refuse 1 shall
| hold you up with my weapon and alarm
! the whole house. But I don't want 10
! do that, for the sake OF the other man.
| He is so very respectable. you know.
| and anything unconventional may be
so awkward for him. Yes. IL is just as
4 I expected. He Is coming up the Ivy TO
| Investigate himself. Col"
The revolver covered Littimer quite
steadily. He could see into the blue
rim, and he was conscious OF strange,
| cold sensations down his spine. A re-
volver is not pretty thing at the best
| of times: II is doubly hazardous in the
/ hands of woman.
What do you want with met" he
Isked.
"My dear man, want to do nothine
with you. Only do as you are told and
| therei The other man is coming ur
! the ivy. He can't understand the light
! and you not returning. He imagines
1 that you are looking in the wrong place
| Please CO."
Littimer backed before the weapon
backed until he was In the doorway
Suddenly the girl gave him push, shat
the door TO and turned the key In the
lock Almost at the same moment an
other figure doomed large in the window
frame.
CHAPTER XVIII.
slightly FarcicaI.