The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-10-09
CHAPTER III.
Heritage IL willing.

Bells sanguine expectation that
Van Sneck would be ready for an i'm
mediate operation was not quite cor
rect. AS the day wore on the man
seemed more feverish and restless.
which feverishness was followed by a
certain want of strength. After due
elaboration, DIR. Cross suggested that
the operation should be postponed for
a day or two.
"The man is in our hands," he said.
'You have identified him, and you de-
sire that he should remain here. II is
pretty irregular, altogether, and |
hope shan't get into trouble over it.
STILL. in such capable hands as
yours"
Bell acknowledged the compliment
with a smile.
Between Heritage and myself" he
said, 1--WE shall pull him through, Ell,
Heritage?"
The other doctor nodded brightly.
For some little time he had been d.
rectly under Bells influence, and that
had meant a marvellous change for
the better. He had lost deal of his
hesitating manner, and was looking
forward to the operation with the
keenest interest.
However, l will put you all right,
Bell said. 81 fancy the time has
come when we can confide, to a GER
tain extent in Marley. And If the po-
lice approve of Van Sneck being here,
| don't see that you can say any
more"
Cross was emphatically of the same
opinion. Later on, in the course of a
long interview with Marley, Bell and
Steel opened the latters eyes to a con-
siderable extent
We'll, must congratulate you, sir, .
he said to Steel. "I'm bound to con
fess that things looked pretty black
against you at one time. Indeed,
should have been fully justified in ar
esting you for the attempted murder
of Van Sneck."
But you never deemed me guilty,
Marley?"
NO, didn't" Marley said, thought.
fully. II argued in your favor against
my better judgment. | gather, even
now, that there is great deal for me
to know"
And which you are not going to
learn" Bell said, drily. when we
have Van Sneck all right again, and
ready to swear TO the author of the
mischief, you will have to be salts
fed"
THAT would satisfy me, sir. And
I'm glad that your cigar-case mystery
is settled. You'll let me know hew
the operation goes on?"
Steel promised to do so, and the two
returned to Downend Terrace togeth-
er. They found Heritage a little ex-
cited and disturbed.
do you know have had visitora"
he exclaimed.
Bell started slightly. He looked
just little anxious.
I'm going to guess at once" he
said. Reginald Henson has been
here"
"You are certainly a wonderful fel.
low" Heritage said, admiringly mo
body else could possibly have guessed
that. He came to see me, of course
"Of course" Bell said, drily Nat
urally, he would have no Interior mo-
tive. Did he happen to know that we
had kind of patient under our roofg'
Heritage explained that Henson
seemed to know something about IL.
Also, by singular coincidence, he had
met Van Sneck abroad. He expressed
a desire to see the patient, but Her.
itage's professional caution had got
the better of his friendship for once.
Henson had given way, finally, saying
that he hoped to call again later in the
day.
Its good thing you were firm. 7
Bell said, grimly "Otherwise there
would have been no need for an oper-
alton on Van Sneck. My dear Herr
tage. it's quite time your eyes were
opened to the true nature OF your
friend. Henson watched Steel and
myself out of the house. He wanted
to see Van Sneck; he has probably
known from the first that the latter
was here"
Matter Of philanthropy. perhaps, e
Heritage suggested.
"a matter of murder" Bell said
sternly. MY dear fellow, Van Sneck
was nearly done to death In yonder