The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-05-09
The Holiday Case
STEVENSON
copyrsht lsa by Henry Holt 4 CO
sY BuRToN e. STEVENSON.
Copyright 1904 by Henry Holt q Co HamManusaa-a

/ Il saw MIN move uneaSlly on MS Deu'
after all, this advantage Of mine was
no small one. No wonder he grew rest
less under this revelation OF secrets
Il which were not secrets!
"Ah!" he said softly: and again, "Ah!
yes, that seems peculiar. Yet, perhaps
IL you had waited for q letter.
Suppose we had waited and there
\ quence OF waiting, we should be toe
lateg'
TOO late? Too late for what, Mis-
tair Lester? What is 1t you fear for
herr"
Il don't know" l answered; ''but
neutrality-suspicious.. At least, we
could not assume the responsibility OF
delay"
NO he agreed: perhaps not. You
are doubtless quite right to investi-
! gate. l wish you success--I wish that
4 i might myself aid you, there is so
much OF interest In the case to me-;
but fear that to be impossible.
| must 'rest--I who have so many affairs
| calling me, so little desire to rest! Is
not the fate ironical2"
! And lie breathed sigh, which was
doubtless genuine enough.
"Will you go to Paris?" / asked.
| "Oh. no; not at once. At Havre I
shall meet my agent and transact my
affairs with him. Then shall seek
coast"
yes" I said to myself, with leap
| ing heart, "Etretat!" But I dared not
speak the word.
II shall write to YOU" he added,
when l have settled. Where do you
stay at Parish"
I'VE haven't decided yet" I said
"We." he repeated.
Didn't / tell you? Mr.. Royce our
| junior partner. is with inches had a
breakdown in health, too, and needed
a rest"
1T is no matter where you stay"
he said; Il shall write to you at the
poste restante. / should like both you
and your friend to be my guest before
you return TO Aner-ric'."
There was a courtesy, cordiality In
!. his tone which almost disarmed me.
such a finished scoundrell 1t seemed a
shame that couldn't be friends with
him, for | enjoyed him so thoroughly.
I'VE shall be glad to accept" / an
swared knowing in my heart that the
invitation would never be made. you're
very kind"
He waved his hand deprecatingly,
then let 1t fall upon the bed with a
gesture OF weariness. / recognized the
sign OF dismissal. was ready to go;
had accomplished all that I could
hope to accomplish; II had not al
ready disarmed his suspicious, / could
never do so.
II am firing you." said, starting
up. How thoughtless OF me-"
No" he protested; mo-" but his
voice was almost inaudible.
Il win CO." I said. You must pardon
me- hope you will soon be better"
and / closed the door behind me with
his murmered thanks i'm my ears.
It was not until after dinner that
found opportunity to relate to Miss
Kemball the details of my talk with
Martigny, She listened quietly until
had finished; then she looked at me
srEilingiy.
'7v5-l.y did you cnange your mind?"
she asked.
THE adventure tempted me--those
are your own words. / thought perhaps
l might be able to throw Martigny off
the track"
And do you think you sue
| ceeded?"
Il don't know" answered doubt
fully. HE ney have seen clear through
"oh, don't believe him superhu-
ran! ] believe you succeeded"
I'VE shall know tomorrow" sug-
gestad.
''Yes--and you must keep up the de-
ception until the last moment. Re-
member, he will be watching you. He
mustn't see you take the train for Et
retat."
'Ill do my best" I said
And don't make mountains out Of
mole hills. You see, you have been dis
trusting yourself needlessly. One
mustn't be too timid."
do you think am too timid p
demanded. eager instantly TO prove the
But she saw the light in my eyes,
/ sunuose, for she drew away, almost
imperceptibly
"only in some things" she retorted,
and silenced me.
The evening passed and the last day
came. We sighted land soon after
breakfast--the high white cliffs OF Cape
La Hague--vague at first, but slowly
lifting as we plowed on into the bay
with the crowded roofs of Havre far
ahead.
/ was standing at the rail beside
Miss Kemball, filed with the thoughts
OF our imminent good-by, when she
turned to me suddenly.
Don't forget Martigny," she
cautioned. ''Wouldn't you better see
him again.
Il thought I'd wait until we landed"
/ said, then / can help him off the
boat and see him well away from the
station. He's too i'll to be very lively
!
trouble lodging him."
Yes; and be careful. He mustn't sus-
| pect Etretat. But look at that clump
| of houses. yonder--aren't they pictur-
esque?"
| They were picturesque, with their
high red roofs and yellow gables and
striped awnings; yet, didn't care to
| look at them, / was glad, to perceive
what a complicated business ii was.
getting our boat to the quay, for /
was Jealous of every minute; but il
was finally accomplished In the ex-
| plosive French manner, and after a
further short delay the gang plank was
run out.
| 'And now" said my companion. hold
ing out her hand. I'VE must say good
| by"
Indeed. not" protested. See, there
| go your mother and Royce. They're
evidently expecting US to follow. Well
have to help you with your baggage"
"Our baggage goes through to Paris
we make our declarations there"
"At least. ] must take you to the
train"
You are risking everything" she
| cried. We can say goodbye here as
well as on the platform"
II don't think so," said.
/ II have already said goodbye to all
my other friends!"
Il ". =