Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-08-28


Chris hurried back again. y whis-
pered word satisfied her that Steel was
still at the other end.
DIR. Bell starts as early as possible
Tomorrow she said. If YOU will
listen. carefully. l will give you brief
outline of all that has happened since l
have been here"
Chris proceeded to tell her story,
briefly and succnctly. From little
sounds ard signs she could tell that
Steel was greatly interested. The
story of the man with the thumb fas-
cinated him. 1t appealed to his profess
sional instincts.
And what do you want to do with
him." Steel asked.
Well. you see, I have him in my
rcwer." Chris explained. I'VE can get
the other Rembrandt any time we like
how: but that is quite minor consid-
Grafton. What l want is for Merritt to
know that can have him arrested at
any time for stealing my star. It's
that is a detail"
IAN important one, surely" Steel's
voice came thin and clear. suppose
that our dear friend chances to recog-
nize it. No; don't ring off yet
I'm not. Oh. you are speaking to the
Exchange people. Yes. yes;
yes: we shall be a long time yet.
Are you there? Enid bought 1t just be-
fore the great trouble came, and. af-
forwards, she never had the heart to
wear it,"
II understand. You want Merritt to
know this?"
We'll. 1 do and DON'T Chris en-
planned. II am anxious not to brighten
the man. I want to get him in my
power. and I want to prove to him that
it would be to his advantage for him to
come over 70 my side. Suppose Enid
gave it out that the star had been stol-
en-? And suppose that could save him
at the critical moment? I shouldn't
mind him thinking that had stolen the
asking you, as a novelist. to help me"
You would have made an excellent
novelist yourself" David said, admir-
ingly. Give me five minutes.
Are you there? I fancy 1 have 1t.
Can't you hear me? That's better. I'll
see Miss Gates the first thing in the
morning, and get her to go over to
Longdean and see your sister.
Confound it, don't cut US off yet! What
does it matter, so long as the messages
are paid for? Nobody else wants the
line. Well, 1 may for an hour more.
Are YOU thereo Very sorry;
it's the fault of the poStoffice people.
Here is the plot in a nutshell: Your
sister has lost a diamond star. She
gives a minute description of it to the
police, and drops a hint that she be-
lieves it was taken away by mistake
in other words, was stolen-from her
in London by a chance acquaintance
called Chrijtabel Lee
"Ah," Christabel cried, chow clever
you are!'
II have long suspected it, the thin
voice went on.drily. THE full descrip-
ton of the star will be printed in the
Folice Gazette, copy Of which every
respectable pawnbroker gets regularly.
I suppose the people where the star was
pawned are respectable?"
Highly so. They have quite Bond
Street establishment attached
so much the better. They will see
the advertisement and they will COM
municate with the police. The Rev.
James Merritt will be arrested"
II don't quite like that Chris srg-
gested.
"Oh, it's necessary He will be ar
rested at the castle. Knowing his ante
cedents, the police will not stand upon
ceremony. You will be filled with re-
morse. You have plunged back into 4
career of crime again a being who was
slowly climbing into the straight path
once more. You take the blame upon
yourself-it VAS at your instigation
that Merritt pawned the star"
But really, Mr.. Steel
ooh. I know. But the end justfes
the means. You save Mr.. Merritt,
there is bond of sympathy between
you. he will regard you as great light
in his interesting profession. You saved
him because you had appropriated the
star yourself"
"And so to gaol instead of Mr. Mer-
ritz"
"Not a bit of 1t. The star you
deemed to be yours. You had one very
like when you saw Miss Henson.
when you were staying in London at
the same hotel. BY some means the
jewels got mixed. You are confident
that an exchange has been made. Also,
you are confident that If Miss Henson
I will search her jewel case she will find
a valuable star that does not belong to
her. Miss Henson does SO; she is dis
| tressed beyond measure; she offers all
kinds of apologies. Exit the police.
You need not tell Merritt how you got
out Of the difficulty, and thus you in
crease his respect for you. There that
would make very ingenius and plaus-
ible magazine story. 1t should be more
convincing in real life"
"Capital"' Chris murmured. What
/ an advantage it is to have novelist to
advise one! Many thanks for all your
kindness. Good night"
Chris rang off with a certain sense OF
relief. 1t was some time before she
had chance Of conveying to Bell what
had happened. He listened gravcly to
all that Chris had to say.
Just the sort of feather Drained
! idea that would occur to a novelist -
he said. For my part, I should pre-
fer to confront Merritt with his theft
and keep the upper hand of him that
wa"
"And he would mistrust me. and be-
tray me at the first opportunity Be
sides. in that case. he would know a,