The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-12-25

II am afraid have no information
to give you," responded Jack Lathom,
no less CURLY. what should I know
Of him."
1T is known that you were with
him last night-that you made an at
j tack on him"
! Attack" Jack was keeping him.
self in control with an effort. II fam
cy you haven't got the facts correct.
: ly, MIR. Hume. That we came to blows
! is. unfortunately, true; and, looking
back, I can't wonder that lost my
temper and patience after the DELHI.
crate injury he has tried to do me
with my father. I have proof Of his
\, lies"
| "How dare you make this monstrous
assertion to me?" cried Bonholt Hume,
holly. His voice was raised and ex.
cited.
Jack shrugged his shoulders.
Really, Mr.. Hume, we ought to re.
member we are in lady's drawing
room," he said, quietly. philip
Hume spread malicious stories to in
jure me-stories absolutely without
foundation. Ask my father"
miss Ruthen, forgive me If for a
moment l spoke heatedly," Bonholt
Hume said, alphabetically. He turned
to Jack again. ''You are mistaken
you must be mistaken. know my
nephew too well. He is not capable
of doing what you assert"
Il wonder If you know him as we'll
as you suppose? For instance, did
you know that he sometimes goes un.
der an alies?" said Jack, in quiet, re-
strained tones. 1T was ratt er odd
| stranger should come and ask at the
club for Mr.. Carr two nights ago.
The name was unknown, but the
stranger insisted he had seen Carr
leave the club, and wanted his private
address. He described your nephew;
there was no doubt whom he meant,
| or that your nephew for his own rea-
sons masquerades under an alias at
times. I leave you to draw your own
conclusions. want to keep my tenn
per, Mr.. Hume. Will you tell me
plainly what you mean?"
after the Intervention of the
mounted constable you and my
nephew apparently parted. But my
nephew never went home again; no
one saw him afterwards. Where did
he go to?"
you use the words apparently
parted We did part then finally. I
did see Hume again. If he did not re.
turn home 1 was unaware of 1t. I
know nothing further about him."
And Jack turned away.
Mr.. Hume seemed to have difficulty
in controlling his excitement. AS
though he had forgotten Hilda's pres
ence, he said, in low, meaning voice:
care you sure you didn't go back
to finish your quarrel?"
The low. intense words that were
almost like an accusation, fell with
startling effect upon the silence Of
the room. Their inference could not
be mistaken; and they we're so unlike
the speaker, who was usually the soul
of genial bonhomie; he was evidently
laboring under suppressed excitement.
Jack turned quietly as the words
reached him; but before he could
take up the challenge Hilda's indigna-
ton broke out. ...
"Mr. Hume, l cannot allow you to
speak like that under this roof" she
said, with anger in the pale, proud
face. after the explanation Mr..
Lathom has given such question is
an insult"
"a thousand apologies, Miss Ruth.
en-" said Bonholt Hume, little con-
fusedly. Il am not myself today.
My nephew's unaccountable disappear
ance has made me terribly anxious.
He could hardly have left the village
on foot on such night; yet he could
not have vanished more suddenly and
completely if the earth had swallowed
him up. 1t will be relief if lie should
turn up safe and sound"
His eyes seemed to rest doubtfully
for a moment on Jack Lathom. The
latter gave a short curt laugh.
ITO Be continued.)