Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-09-25

too much. but you can help me little
| farther on the way. That cigar-case
you saw in Van Sneck's possession
| passed TO Mr.. Henson. BY him, or by
somebody in his employ. it was sub
stituted for precisely similar case, in
tended for present to Mr.. Steel. The
substitution has caused Mr.. Steel q
great deal of trouble.
Seeing as Van Snecls was found,
half-dead. in MIR. Steels house. and
seeing as he claimed the cigar-case,
what could be proved to be Van
Sneck's, I'm not surprised" Merritt
grinned.
Then YOU know. all about it,"
Don't know anything about it.,
he srowled. doggedly. Il guessed that.
When you said as the one case had
been substituted for the other, it don t
want a regiment of schoolnasters to
see where the pea lies. What you've
got to do now is TO find Mr.. Steel's
case"
Il have already found it, as limited
to YOU 1t is at Rutter's in Moreton
Wells. 1t was sold to them by the
gentleman who had given up smoking.
| want YOU to go into Moreton Wells
with me to-day and see if you can get
at the gentleman's identity"
Mr.. Merritt demurred. 1t was all
very we'll for Chris. he pointed out in
his picturesque language. She had her
little lot of fish to fry. but. at the same
time, he had to draw his money and
be away before the police were down
upon him. If Miss Lee liked to start
at once"
Il am ready at any moment" Chris
said. In any case. you will have to
e OTTO Moreton Wells. and can give
you little more information on the
way"
You had better so along. Frank"
Littimer suggested. under his breath.
81 fervently hope now that the day is
not far distant when you can return
together; but for the present your
presence is dangerous. We must give
that rascal, Henson, no cause for sus-
picion.'
You are quite right" Frank replied.
"And Id like to shake hands now,
dad"
Lirtimer put out his hand without
word. The cool. cynical man of the
world would have found it difficult to
utter a syllable just then. When he
looked up he was smiling.
go along" he said. You're lucky
fellow. That girls one in a million"
The dog-cart, driven by Chris,
brought herself and her companion in
to Moreton Wells in an hour. Frank
had struck OFF across country in the
direction of the nearest station. The
appearance of himself in Moreton
Wells on the front of dog-cart from
the castle would have caused a nine
days wonder.
"Now. what l want to impress upon
you is this" said Chris. MIR. Steels
cisar-case was stolen, and one belong
ing to Van Sneck substituted for it.
The stolen one was returned to the
shop from which it was purchased al
most Immediately, so soon, indeed,
that the transaction was never even
entered on the books. We are pretty
certain that Reginald Henson did that.
and we know that he is at the bottom
Of the mystery. But. to prevent any,
thing happening, and to prevent our
getting the case back again, Henson
had to go farther. The case must be
beyond our reach. Therefore, l de-
cline to believe that it was mere CO.
incidence that took stranger into
Lockhart's directly after Henson had
been there to look at some gun-metal
cigar-cases set in diamonds. The
stranger purchased the case. and asked
for it to be sent to the Me,ropole to
John Smith With the hundreds of
letters and visitors there. it would be
almost impossible to trace the case or
the man."
'Lockhart's might help YOU
They have. as tar as they can. The
cigar-case was sold to tall American
Beyond that it is impossible to co.
A meaning smile dawned on Mer-
ritt's face.
They might have taken more no
tice OF the gentleman at Rutter's." he
said. being smaller shop. I'm going
to admire that case and pretend it be-
longed to a friend OF mine.
Il want you to try and buy it for
me- Chris said. quietly.
Rutter's was reached al length. and,
after some preliminaries. the cigar
case was approached. Merritt took it
up, with well-feigned air of astonish-
ment.
Why, this must have belonged to
my old friend. B." he exclaimed.
Its not new"
No sir" the assistant explained.
We purchased it from a gentleman
who stayed for day or two here ct
the Lion, q friend OF Mr.. Reginald Hen
SON.
"A tall man." said Merritt, tentat-
lively. Long. Thin beard and slightly
marked with smallpox? Gave the
name Of Rawlins:'
That's the gentleman. sir Perhaps
you may like TO purchase the case?'
The purchase was made in due
course. and together Chris and her
queer companion left the shop.
''Rawlins is an American swirdler
OF the smartest type said Merritt
If you get him in a corner ask him
what he and Henson were doing in
America, some Two years ago Raw
Inns is in this little game for certain.
But you ought TO trace him By means
OF the Lion people. On. lor'! -
Merritt slipped back into an entry as
little. clean-shaven man passed along
the street. His eyes had a dark look
OF fear in them.