New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-15
Riddle.
By CLIFTON BINGHAM

at the door, and the lovers started apart az the
sound of IL.
This is the place. sir" said another voica IN
Officially authoritative tones.
Pat pricked up his ears. The second voice
was familiar them With griny hand
he threw Riddle kiss and bOlted through the
shop door almost upsetting two who were
at that moment on the point OF entering
tall. Wen dressed man. with big brown
with mingled surprise and doubt At Riddle. A po-
hceman. whose deferentaI air when he spoke to
MS companion said tips as plainly as language
could nave done, accompanied him. The beard
ed man looked at the floor. the ceiling the stock
m trade. and then at Riddle again
4 want 20 Mrs Thompson" he said still
looking at kiddie in curious way.
She amt in. said Riddle, recovering the
seH-possession that the sight of the policeman
had disturbed.
When viii she be in or where can she be
found must her
Still the bearded man looked strangely at Kid
back
Don't you know me? No. how should your
You are kiddie7-'
Yes" said Kiddie GREATNESS
DID you ever hear them speak Of your Uncle
Dick, Kiddie?'
Yes said Kiddie. her heart beginning to beat
faster; hut yOu-you'-
Yes. Riddle. you are right I Uncle Dick.
come back at last
hldcle threw up her thin arms with
amazed shrek and broke into tears. Dick Nor
timers strong arms reached over the counter.
picked her up, and were round her in another
five seconds The policeman looked on stolidly
mentally characterizing the performance AS "a
Good God. what clothesr' said Dick NORTH
mer
man.
Certain enough for me-" interrupted Uncle
Dick. shortly. Things we're beginning TO dawn
upon him. You can go; thanks"
Good night, sir, and thanky.
Certain. yes muttered Dick Mortimer. when
the policeman had gone: so will she be certain
I've come back when I see her. My God! what
q isoff- cd
Thank God Mary never lived to see. It would
have broken her heart"
He was holding Kiddie IN his arms she mute
ly yielding TO his embrace, shutting her eyes
as le TO open them would spoil the dream
TT won't break mine" he went on, grinly.
IT never felt the value OF money until now; but
not cent OF mine shall she have!''
Then he looked round. and a sudden smile
lighted UP his brown face. He had thought OF
way to revenge himself he put Kiddis down
on her feet.
Go" said he. "and put on your best Dress"
is that all you've gotr' he demanded
Yes"
Il on
The child hesitatsd
dursnt leave the shop: she'll beat me II
DO as tell you: III mind the shop, you're
mine now. kiddie"-he knelt down beside her
I've come to take you away with me No
more rags. no more beatings, my darling. Can't
Dick who left you 50 long ago TO go away and
make his fortune over the sea?'
And have you made It. Uncle Dick7'
I have, my darling, and thank God for ftp-
Where IS tt?'' said Riddle. suspiciousIy. as IL
abe had expected him TO return with the fortune
IN bis pocket
Never mind now" he EaId I've GOT il all
right-here's some OF IT,; and he showed her
dazzled eyes a handful OF gold and silver drawn
loose rom his pocket Now. run away for that
Reassured. Riddle really did run up the rick
ETY. stairs and returned wearing the shabbfest
hat 20 be found in Walworth- Uncle Dick gave
~ one look. and. taking il from her head tore
ment-
What thtngr' he calculated.
Taking silk handkerchief from his pocket
he made bonnet out OF it. tying the ends under
her chin Then. turning suddenly to the door
which had stood half open. and at which a SHOCK
head had for some time been peepfue in he
clutched az the shock head and secured it by
the hair a vigorous pull brought the owner
inside the shop, looking ruefuI and amazed.
Fetch me hansOm-nO, four-wheeer'
To Pats yet further amazenent. ten minutes
later Kiddie and the stranger drove away to
gether. leaving the sweet-shop unprotected and
at the mercy OF all the gaTnins OF Little Russell
81. And IN this parious state the virago. other
wise Mrs Thompson. found II upon her return
II would be difficult 20 say whose astonish-
msnt was the greater. Pat had been left petri-
fed In all his twelve years OF life he had never
experienced such a shock In the case OF the
viraso, the discovery came so TO speak by de-
grees. Breathing vengeance when not finding
kiddie in the shop, and obtaining no reply TO
her repeated yels UP the stairs she locked tina
shop door and searched the house Not andfnr
kdd1e, she assumed she had gone out, so sat
down and waited for her return her temper
rising as she did SO steadily to boiling point
As Riddle did not return. the vfrago went to
look for her.
Pat had learned where Kiddie had been taken
He had strained his TO catch the address
given TO the cabman, but had not succeeded:
so ne had hung on behind the four-wheelar
after the fashion Of his kind and had seen the
cab pull UP ar the Golden Crescent Hotel CIhsr-
Ing Cross, and the stranger carry EiddIe up tha
Dig steps into the hotel Then he sped back to
WalWorth.
Go be contnued.)