The Red Cloud chief., 1907-03-22
CONTINUED

' y 'NN' lilhi NV bIAN'Nla Nv
was gone | left the tent pretended
TO be hungry and bored-but. though |
went through. every room, lie was no
where TO be found. Oncc"-She hest
tated aud laughed ~again-"once |
thought | had found him. but II was
only you-you. as you stood in that
doorway with your mouth and chin
hidden by Leonard Kainc's head.
Wasn't it a quaint mistaken"
There was an uncertain pause. Then
Lodcr, feeling the need of speech.
broke the silence suddenly. Where
do | come iuT' he asked abruptly.
what am | wanted fOr?"
To help TO throw light on the mys.
terry! I've seen Blanche's list of peo-
pie, and there wasn't II man | couldn't
place 10 outsider ever SQuecZcS
through Bianche'S door. | have Ques-
toned Bobby Blessington, but he can't
remember who came to the tent last.
And Bobby was supposed to have kept
count!" She spoke in deep scorn, but
almost Immediately the scorn faded
and she smiled again. "Now that I've
explained, Jack" she added, what do
you ~suggestT"
Then for the first time Loder knew
what his presence in the room really
meant, and at best the knowledge was
disconcerting. 1t is not every day
that IL nan is called upon to unearth
himself.
"Suggcstg' he repeated blankiy.
Yes. I'd rather have your idea of
the affair than anybody else's. You
are so dear and sarcastic II keen
that you can't help getting straight at
the middle of a fact"
When Lillian wanted anything she
could he very sweet. She suddenly
dropped her half petulant tone; she
suddenly ceased to be a spoiled child.
With a perfectly graceful movement
she drew quite close to Loder and slid
gently to her knees.
1Tis Is an attitude that few women
can safely assume. 1t requires all the
attributes OF youth. s%uppleness and a
certain buoyant ease. But Lillian new
er acted without justification aud as
she leaned toward Loder, her face lift
cd, her slight figure and pale hair soft
ened by the freight, she made Il pic
ture that It would have been difficult
TO criticise.
But the person who should have ap.
preciated it stared steadily beyond it
10 The fire. His mind was absorbed by
one questionable question of how he
might reasonably leave the house be-
fore discovery became assured.
Lillian. attentively watchful of him,
saw the uneasy look. and her W face
fell. But, as she looked, an inspiration
came to her-a remembrance of many
interviews with Chilcote smoothed and
facilitated by the timely use of to-
baCco.
Jack" she said softly, before you
say another word / insist on your
Sighting a cigarette" She leaned for
ward. resting against his knee.
At her words Loder's eyes left the
fire. His attention wa. suddenly need
cd for II new and more imminent diff
Guilty, "Thanksv' he said quickly. Il
! have no wish to smoke"
ut isn't a matter of what you wish.
but Of what | say She smiled. She
knew that Chilcote with a cigarette be
tween his lips was infinitely more trac-
table than Chilcote sitting idle, and she
had no intention of ignoring the knowl-
edge.
But Loder caught at her words. "Be'
fore you ordered me to smoke" he said,
you told me to give you some advice,
Your first command must have prior
claim" lie grasped unhesitatingly at
the less risky theme.
She looked up at him. you're al
ways nicer when you smoke" she per
sisted caressingly. Light a cigarette
and give me one."
Loder's mouth became set. "No," he
said. well stick to this advice bust
ness. 1t interests me-"
"Yes-afterward."
'"No; now. You want to find out why
this Euglishman from Italy was al
your sisters party and why he disap
pearedY'
There are times when a malignant
Obstinacy seems to affect certain peo
Pile. The only answer Lillian made was
to pass her hand over Loder's waist
coat and. feeling his cigarette case, tC
draw it from the pocket.
He affected not to see 1t. DO YOU
think ne recognized you in that tentT
ne insisted desperately.
She held out the case. Here are
your cigarettes. You know we're al
ways more social when we smoke"
In the short interval while she looked
up into his face several ideas passed
through Loder's mind. lie thought o.