Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-07-31
By Fred M. &)hite
CHAPTER XVIII ,conttnuedo


fright. I calculate it was on the other
side. And how are you this morning?
You look as if you had been in the
wars. Got some trouble with your
throat or what?"
"a slight operation" Henson said,
airily. Il have been speaking too much
in public lately. and a little something
had to be removed. 1 am much better"
The ready lie tripped off his tongue.
Chris smiled slightly.
do you know. you remind me very
much of somebody" he went on. "And
vet, I don't know why. because you are
so different Lord Littimer tells ME
you are an American"
THE Stars and Stripes" Chris
laughed. II guess our nation is the
first on earth. Now, if you happen to
know anything about Boston,"
II never was in Boston in my life"
Henson replied. hastily. Have you
been in England very long,"
Chris replied that She was enjoying
England for the first time. But she
was not there to answer questions, her
role was to ask Them But She was
de alirg with a postmaster in the art
of cleaning information. and Henson
was getting on her nerves. She gave
little cry of pleasure as magnificent
specimen of bloodhound came trotting
down the terrace and paused in friendly
Fashion before her.
What lovely dog" she exclaimed.
~Do you like dogs, Mr.. Henson?"
She looked up. beamingly, into his
face as she spoke: she saw the heavy
features darken and the eyes grow
small with anger.
II loathe them and they loathe me-"
Henson growled. Look at hint"
He pointed to the dog, who showed
his teeth with an angry growl. And
bet the great, sleek head lay against
Tile girls knee in perfect confidence.
Henson looked on uneasily and backed
q little way. The dog marked his every
movement.
"See how the brute shows his teeth at
me" he said. please send him away,
Miss Lee. 1 am certain he is getting
Feady for spring."
Henson's face was white and hot and
wet. His lips trembled. He was horri.
bly, afraid. Chris pattsd the silky head
and dismissed the dog with a curt COM
mand He went off instantly, with
wistful, backward look in his eye.
I'VE are going to be great friends.
that doggie and l." Chris said, gaily.
''And I don't like you any the better.
Mr.. Henson, because you don't like
dogs and they don't like you. Dogs are
far better judges of character than you
Imagine. DR.. B.u says
what DR.. Bell?" Henson demanded,
swiftly.
Chris had paused just in time; per"
haps her successful disguise had made
her trifle reckless.
CDR. Hatherly Bell" she said. "He
used to be a famous man before he TELL
lnto disgrace over something or anoth-
or. 1 heard him lecture on the animal
Instinct in Boston, once, and he said
but, as you don't care for dogs 1t oon
matter what he said"
DO you happen to know anything
about him." Henson asked.
VERY little I never met him. if that
Is what you mean. But heard that ne
had done something particularly dis
graceful Why do you ask?"
Nothing more than mere coincl-
dence," Henson replied. 1T is just
little strange that your should mention
tis name here, especially after what
happened last night. / suppose that,
being an American, you fell in love with
the Rembrandt. 1t was you who sug-
gested securing it in its place, and then
prevented my little jest from being car
ried out. Of course, you have hearo
that the print was stolen once?''
I, THE knowledge is as general as the
spiriting away of the Gainsborough
Duchess
"Quite so. Well, the man who stole
fhe Rembrandt was DR.. Hatherly Bell.
He stole it so that he might pay gam
bling debt, AMI it was subsequently
found in his luggage before he could
pass it on to the purchaser. I am GLAD
YOU mentioned it, because the name OF
BELL is not exactly favorie at the cas-
tle'
81 am much obliged to you" said
Chris, gravely. WAS Dr.. Bell favor
dte once?"
"Oh, immense. He had great influence
over Lord Littimer. He-but here comes
uittimer in one of his moods. He APP
pears to be angry about something"
Littimer strobe up, with frown or
a,is face, and a telegram in his hand
Henson assumed to be sympathetic.
IT hope it is nothing serious?" he
xnurmured.
"serious!" Littimer cried. "The acme
of audacty-yes. The telegram has JUS,
come. Must see you tonight on i'm.
portant business affecting the past
Shall hope to be with you some time
after dinner"
"And who is the audacious aspirant
to an interview" Chris asked, demura-
~.
"a man expect you never heard Of,
said Littimer. "but who is quite famil.
1ar to Henson, here. l am abiding tt
that scoundrel. Hatherly Bell"
Good Heavens!" Henson burst out
I'll mean, what colossal impudence!
CHAPTER XXX.
The Man With the Thumb Again.
Chris gave Henson one swift. search
ing glance before her eyes dropped de
1nurely to the ground, Lord Littime!