Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-08-07
@s Crimson
By Fred M. Ohie AH0

ton. It lid not matter much. because
Littimer had said that a carriage
should meet him.
However, there was no conveyance OF
any kin outside the station. One
sleepy porter had already departed, and
the other one, who took Bells C
and was obviously waiting to lock up,
Opposed that q carriage from the cas-
tie had come to the station, but that
some clerical gentleman had come
along ani countermanded It. Where
VI on the iog-cart a departed.
VERY strange" Bell muttered. What
sort OF a parson was lt?"
II only just saw his face" the porter
yawned. Dressed in black, with a
white tie n a straw hat. Walked in
a slouching kind OF way, with his hands
down; new curate from st. Adams,
perhaps. Looked like a chap as could
take care OF himself in a row."
Thanks" Bell said, curtly. TIL
manage the walk: It's only two miles.
Goodnight.
Bells face was grim and set as ne
stepped out into the road. He knew
fairly well what this meant. 1t was
pretty evident that his arch-enemy
knew his movements perfectly well, and
that a vigorous attempt was being
made to proven: him reaching the cas-
tie. He called back to the porter:
How long since the carriage went?"
he asked.
A voice from the darkness said "Ten
minutes" and Bell trudged along with
the knowledge that one of his enemies,
at least, was close at hand. That Reg
inald Henson was al the castle he a
not the remotest idea. Nor did he fear
personal violence. Despite his figure,
he was a mar of enormous strength and
courage. But he had not long to wait.
Somebody was coming down the lone
ly road towards him, somebody In cler-
ical attire. The stranger stopped n
politely, IL a little huskily, inquired IL
he was on the right way TO Moreton
station. Bell answered. as politely.
that he was, and asked to know the
time. Not that he cared anything
about the time; what he really wanted
was to see the strangers hands. The
little ruse was successful. In the dim
light Bell could see a flattened, hideous
thumb with the pink parody of a nail
upon it.
Thanks, very much" he said, crisp
ly. Keep straight on"
He half turned as the stranger
swung round. The latter darted at
Bell, but he came too late. Bells fist
shot out and caught him fairly on the
forehead. Then the stick in Bells left
hand came down with crushing force
on the PROSTATE mans skull. So ut
terly dazed ana surprised was he that
he lay on the ground for a moment,
Irontinp heavily.
Tou murdercus rufian:" Bell ex-
claimed. You escaped convict In an
honest mans clothes. Get up! So YOU
are the fellow"
He paused. suddenly, industrious OF
letting the rascal see that he knew too
much. The other man rolled over sud
dwenly, like a cat and made a dash for
a gap In the hedge. He vas gone like
a flash. Pursuit would be useless, for
pace was not Bells strong point. And
he was not fearful Of being attacked
again.
Henson seems to be pretty well
served he muttered. grimly.
Meanwhile. the man with the thumb
was flying over the fields in the direc-
ton OF Littimer. He made his way
across country to the cliffs with the as
sured air OF one who knows every inch
OF the ground. He had failed In the
first part OF his Instructions. and there
was no time to b. lost IL ne was to EAR
ry out the second part successfully.
He struck the cliffs at length a mile
or so away, and proceeded to scramble
slong them until he lay hidden Just nm
der the terraces OF Littirer Castle. He
knew that he was IN time for this part
OF the program. despite the fact that
hts head ached considerably from the
force and vigor OF Bells assault. He
lay there, painting and breathing heavi-
ly. waiting for the signal to come.
] Meanwhile, Bell was jogging along
4 placidIy and with no fear in his heart
at all. He did not need anybody to tell
him what was the object of his late an
~tagonist:s attack. He knew perfectly
well that II the ruffian had got the bet
ter Of him he would never have seen
the Rembrandt again. Henson's hounds
were on the track: but It would go hard
II they pulled the quarry down Just as
the sanctuary was In sight. Presently
Bell could see the lights OF the castle.
BY the lodge gates stood a dog-cart;
In the flare Of the lamps Bell recognized
the features Of the driver, a very old
servant OF Littimer's. Bell took in the
situation at q glance.
"Is this the way you come for me-.
Lund?" he asked.
I'm very sorry. SIR" Lund replied.
But a clergyman Lear the station said
you had gone another way, so 7 turned
back. And when I got here I couldn't
rake top nor tail OF the story. Blest II
I wasn't q bit nervous that II might
have been some plan TO rob you. And
I was going TO drive slowly along to the
station again when you turned up"
"oh, there's nothing wrong said
Bell, cheerily. and I dent look as II
I had come TO any harm. Anybody
staying at the castle, Lund?"
"Only Mr.. Reginald Henson, SIR"
Lund said, d~isparagingly.
Bell started. but his emotion was lost
in the darkness. II came as q great
surprise to him to find that hts enemy
was actually in the field. And how APP
rrehensive of danger he must be TO
come so far. with his health In so shat
tered a condition. Bell smiled to him
self as he pictured Henson's face On