The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-07-03
By Fred M. Dhae
sHArTER xvIn. ocontlnued.,

"A man who IA highly respected. A
man who stands wonderfully high IN
public estimation. There are thousands
and thousands Of people who look upon
him as great and estlmable creature
He gives largely in charities, he devotes
a good deal OF his time TO the poor. My
uncle, who is a good man., IL you like,
declares that Reginald Henson is abso-
inteiy indispensable to him. At the next
election that man is certain TO be re-
turned 10 parliament to represent an
important Northern constituency. IL
you told my uncle anything about 1t he
would laugh at YOU"
IT have not the slightest intention OF
approaching your uncle on this matter
at present"
Because you could prove nothing.
Nobody could prove anything"
But Christania Henson may In
time"
Once more Ruth flashed a startled
look at her companion.
so you have discovered something
about that7" she whispered.
Il have discovered everything about
II. Legally speaking. the young lady is
dead. she died last night, as DIR. Walk
err will testify. She passed away In the
formula presented by me the night that
met her In the darkness at 21s. Bruins
WICK Square Now, will you be so good
as to tell me how those girls got hold OF
my synopsis?'
That came about quite naturally.
Your synopsis and proof. i'm an open en-
velope were accidentally slipped into a
large circular envelope used by firm
OF seed merchants and addressed 20
Longdean Grange. sent out, no doubt,
among thousands OF others. Chris saw
It and. prompted by curiosity, read IT,
Out OF that our little plot was gradually
evolved You see was at school with
those two girls. and they have few Sc
crets from me- Naturally, I suggested
the scheme. because ! saw a great deal
of Reginald Henson. He comes here;
he also comes frequently to our house
in Princes Gate And yet am sorry.
from the bottom of my heart, that l
ever touched the thing. for your sake
The last words were spoken with
rlance that set David's pulses beating.
Re took Ruth's half-extended hand IN
his, and II was not withdrawn.
Don't worry about me-" he said. II
shall come out all right in the end.
Still. shall look eagerly forward to any
ssistance that you can afford me. For
instance. what hold has Henson got on
his relatives?"
THAT cannot tell you" Ruth cried.
s'You must not ask me. But we are act
ing for the best; our great object was
TO keep you out Of danger"
There is no danger to me If I can
only clear myself" Steel replied. IF
you could only tell me where those bank
notes came from When think of that
part of the business I am filled with
shame. And yet, IL you only knew how
fond am OF my home. At the
same time. when I found was called
upon TO help ladies In distress l should
have refused all offers of reward. IL
had done so should have had no need
OF your pity. And yet-and yet 1t is
very sweet 10 me"
He pressed the hand in his, and the
pressure was returned. David forgot
all about HIS troubles for the time; and
II was very cool and pleasant and quiet
there.
1T am afraid that those notes were
forced upon u.s." she said. Though I
frankly believe that the enemy does not
know what we have learned to do for
YOU. And as TO the cigar case; would
II not DC easy w EttAit thoN AAe~eS~A ~
asking a few questions?"
eMy dear young lady. have done so.
And the more questions i ask the worse
Il is for me. The cigar case. I claimed.
came from walen's. beyond all ques-
ton, and was purchased by the mystic
rious individual now in the hospital.
understood that the cigar case was the
very one admired at Lockhart's some
time ago. and"
'If YOU inquire at Lockharts. you VIII
find such TO be the case"
David looked up with puzzled ex-
preston Ruth spoke so seriously ana
with such an air OF firm conviction that
he was absolutely staggered.
so I did" he said. and was m
formed I'm the most positive way by the
Junior partner tina; the case I admired
had been purchased by an American
called Smith, and sent to the Metropoie
after he had forwarded dollar notes Tor
IL. Surely, you don't suppose that
firm like Lockhart's would be guilty OF
anything"
Ruth rose TO her feet, her face pale
and resolute. ),
This must be looked to-" she salu.
saThe cigar case fsent to you on that
particular night was purchased AT
I.ockhart's by myself and paid for Win
my own money"