Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-09-04
CHAPTER Nile
a Delicate Errnnd.

u DClicNte ErrunO.
It looked like being long, dull even
ing for Steel ii he were not going to the
theater. or anything of that kind He
generally read until about II o'clock.
after which he sat up for another cou
lle of hours plotting out the days task
for tomorrow. Tonight he could only
wander restlessly about his conserva-
tory. shipping off dead leaf here and
there. and wondering where the whole
thing was going to end. II,
With a certain sense Of relief David
heard the front door bell trill about II
o'clock. Somebody was coming to see
him. and it didn't matter much who, in
Steel's present frame of mind. But he
swept in to the study with feeling of
genuine pleasure as Hatherly Bell was
announced.
My dear fellow. I'm delighted to see
.ou.' he cried. Take the big arm
chair. Let me give you cigar and
whisky and soda and make you COM
Portable. That's BETTER
I'm tired out" Bell said. Elm London
all day, and since with Cross. Can
you put me up for the night?'
My bachelor bed room is always
ready, Bell"
Thanks. I don't fancy you need be
u..der any apprehension that anybody
has spirited Van Sneck away. In the
first place, Henson, who seems to have
discovered what happened, is in a ter
1ible state about it. He wanted, very
badly, to remain at Littimer, but when
i VII hot hod 1oft
hospital. he came down here; in fact,
we Travelled together. OF course, he
said, nothing whatever about Van
Sneck, whom he is supposed to know
nothing about. but could see that he
was terribly disturbed. The worst of it
is that Cross was going to get me to
operate on Van Sneck; and Heritage,
who seems wonderfully better, was go
irg to assist
rs your unfortunate friend up to
that kind of thing now?" David asked
1 fancy so. Do you know that Herr
age used to have a fairly-good practice
near I4ittimer Castle? Lord Littimer
knows him we'll. / want Heritage to
come into this. I want to get the rea-
son Why Henson has been so confound-
eddy good to Heritage. For years he
has kept his eye upon him; for years
he has practically provided him with
horne at Palmer's. And when Heritage
mentions Henson's name he always does
with kind of forced gratitude"
You think that Heritage is going to
be useful to us?"
II fancy SO. Mind you, it is only my
idea-what I call intuition, for want of
better word. And what have you been
doing lately?'
David proceeded to explain, giving the
events of the afternoon, in full detail.
Bell followed the account with the
deepest interest Then he proceeded %
tell his own story. David appeared to
be fascinated with the story of the man
with the thumb nail.
$50 Miss Chris hopes to hypnotic the
man with the thumb" he said. You
have seen more of her than I have Bell
Does she strike you. as she strikes me-
4 girl Of wonderfully acute mind, al
lied to pluck and audacity absolutely
brilliant?'
"She is that and more" Bell said,
warmly. Now that she is free to act,
she has developed wonderfully. Look
how clcverly she worked out that Rem
brandt business, how utterly she puz-
z!ed Henson, and low she helped to get
into Littimer's good books again with
out Henson even guessing at the rea-
son. And now she has forced the con-
fidence Of that great rascal, Merritt.
She has saved him from a gaol into
which she might have thrown him at
any moment, she has convinced him
that she is exceedingly brilliant in the
way Of an adventures, with a great
coup ahead. Later on she will use
Merritt, and a fine, hard-cutting tool
she will find him.
where is Henson at the present mo-
ment?' David asked.
II left him in London this afternoon"
Bell replied. But I haven't the least
doubt in the world that he has made
his way to Brighton by this time. In
all probability he has gone to Long
dean"
Bell paused as the telephone Bell
rang out shrilly The mere sound Of it
thrilled them both with excitement.
And what a useful thing the telephone
had proved!
Are you THEREOF came the quick.
small Whisper. "Is that you, Mr.. Steel?
am Enid Henson"
4teie Ndo d lOIlS pause, uullho NAilI
David was listening intently. Bel
could see him growing rigid with the
prospect of something keen, alert and
vigorous.
Bell is here with me at this mo-
mement." he said. Just wait minute
while I tell him. Don't go away.
please. Under the circumstances, it
might be dangerous for me to ring you.
..... Just moment. Here's a pretty
mess"
Well" Bell aid, impatiently, ~ n
orly mare man. after ALL
Henson is at Longdean; he turned
up an hour ago, and at the present mo-
ment is having his supper in the Ii
brary before going to bed. But that is
rot the worst part Of it. Williams heard
the dogs making a great noise by the
gates. ana went to see what was
wrong. Some poor. demented fellow
bad climbed over the wall and the dogs
were holding him up. Fortunately. he
did not seem to be conscious of his dam
ger. and as he stood still. the hounds
did him no harm. Williams was going
To put the intruder into the road again.
when Miss Henson came up. And
when do Won S,IppOSa t:,c moor wander