Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-07-01


occupied-he had picked up that bit
of gossip in town-since the squire's
temper alone indicated no sign of
failing health, And the manner of
Miss Strangways, who had just enter
ed had rather puzzled him. Evidently
She had been surprised to see her
father. She had looked at the figure
in the dressing gown, leaning on the
tasselled stick, as though she could
not believe her eyes.
'You may well look amazed, Mar
garrett" said the old man, giving ex-
preston to the thought in Bonholt's
mind. IT have had a visit from the
police waving an irritable hand to-
ward the detectlve-inspector from
Fellsgarth, "who seem to think that
we harbor escaped criminals at the
Grange. 1t has upset me, my girl; it
is enough to upset any man"
Surely there is some mistake,
father The girls face had gone
curiously white; she spoke with a
sort or nervous cOnSCraluC.
"Of course there's a mistake!' was
the testy reply Eat least trust so.
After keeping my gates locked to shut
out the swarm of Newmarket touts
and bookmakers' spies, who, because
I chose to live in seclusion, seem to
think am going to die before Pride O.
LIES race, | don't want even worse
characters, like an escaped suspect
of murder, lurking about the place!"
'You are exciting yourself again, Mr..
Strangways,'' said the doctor, in a
low, anxious voice, laying quieting
hand on the old mans arm. "It would
have been better if you had left me to
interview these gentlemen"
''All right, Brewer; I'm going back
to my room" He turned again to the
detective. 81 insist that you either
satisfy yourself that your suspicious
are groundless, or else that you drag
the fellow from wherever he is hiding
If I am to get wink of sleep to-
night. after you have put this thought
into my mind. You must search the
house. This is my room where have
been sitting; you'd better begin by
searching that And he waved a
hand toward a partly open door.
The detective made a deprecating
gesture.
81 am only sorry to trouble you at
ALL Mr. Strangways," he said. IF you
have been sitting there, sir it can
hardly be possible that the man is
hiding in that room"
He might suspect the doctor of hav-
ing a hand in Jack Lathom's disap-
pearance; but Mr.. Strangways, well
known TO him by reputation, was a
Justice of the peace and beyond sus
picion
"Well, hardly think you'll find him
there" said the old man, grimly, "but
it's at your disposal if you care to
look
He pushed the door wide open with
a movement of his stick; the detect
ives eyes glanced round the room, the
walls of which reflected ruddily the
dancing flames of the fire. A nurse
in her uniform could be seen moving
inside, the nurse that DR.. Brewer had
sent from London to attend On his pa
tient.
cat least search the rest of the
house." he continued. Il would &C
company you, only my state of health
must be my excuse. I beg that Mr..
Hume will help you. Mr.. Hume, if
was little curt, pray pardon an all
ing mans irritability." Bonholt Hume
bowed stif1y at this semblance of an
apology. "You were so nearly related
to Philip Hume that your zeal is nat
ural. If you search each floor in turn,
should this man really be hiding here,
he can hardly elude you.
81 think there is no necessity, Mr..
Strangways-'' began the detective
eff you will be so good-as much
for my peace of mind as for your sat
isfaction." The STOPPING figure in the
dressing gown retired into his ROOM
leaving the door ajar.
The doctor accompanied the de-
tective on his search over the house
1t was perfunctory business on the
detectives part; inwardly he was
tuning; he had the feeling that he
had been made fool of tonight. I'm
doubtedly the man. xcalling himself
Craig, playing at Chatterton's theater,
had been Lathom; and he had pre-
vented Benholt Hume's warning from
reaching the man; he was sure, too,
from the stage, sitting where he was
in the darkened auditorium; yet La
Thorn had received warning of danger.
And the story of the little spidery-
legged tout with the bleeding mouth
had rung true; the man swore he had
Grange, admitted by the doctor But
he felt baff1ed-felt that he had been
made fool of.
AS he came down stairs again and
was passing the baize door Mr..
Strangways' voice reached him from
out of the front door, as far as ever
from learning the mystery, if mystery
there was, at Lendal Grange. The de-
| tective walked to the Threshold Of the
! invalid's room.
well, and result from your
search?'
| The white haired man was sitting
in an easy chair by the fire; the nurse
was in the act of bringing him cup
| of oeef tea.
No, Mr.. Strangways."
We'll, I hope you'll have good