The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-09

Il think there is no necessity, Mr..
Strangways-vb began the detective.
III 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 a 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 calling 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.
that Lathom could not have seen him
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
seen Lathom enter the grounds OF the
Grange, admitted by the doctor. But
he felt bafned-felt that he had been
made a fool Of.
As he came down stairs again and
was passing the baize door Mr..
Strangways' voice reached him from
the room. Bonholt Hume had walked
out of the front door, as far rs ever
from learning the mystery. II 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 beef tea.
mo, Mr.. Strangways"
well, hope you'll have n good
look about the grounds before you go.
Why do you give me this stuff so hot
that I can't drink it?" He had turned
angrily to the nurse, with a sudden
explosive irritability that caused the
detective subsequently to say that he
wouldn't dance attendance on Squire
Strangways for thousand pounds.
Take 1t away-I won't have 1t now!
Every ones conspiring to upset me
tonight! Well. hope you are salts
fied?" petulantly to the detective
satisfied what mares nest 1t has
been that you have troubled mo
about"
The detective had stopped down for
an instant during the little explosion
of temper directed against the nurse:
he had caught sight of something ly-
| ing at his feet in the corridor outside
Mr. Strangway's room. The doctors
back was turned. but in a mirror he
caught a momentary glimpse Of the
sudden movement. and saw the de-
tective as If casually pick up tiny
object. 1t was a brass button-just
such button as had been on the pink
hunting coat worn by Jack Lathom on
the stage that night. But DIR. Brewer
did not see the CLEAN that came iato
the detectives eyes.
yes. quite satisfied. sir: very sorry
to have troubled you. Good night,
sir"
And the detective saluted and turn.
ed away, the brass button In his peck
ct. DR.. Brewer walked with him TO
the door. Outside the old man servant
was waiting. lantern in hand.
In spite of Mr. Strangways' parting
words. the detective did not attempt
any search Of the grounds. he walk
ed to the gate with Bonholt Hume,
following the old servant carrying the
lantern and the key.
His mistrust of Mr.. Hume prevented
him from making the latter the conf
dant of the thoughts passing through
his mind.
Square Strangways Is being kept in
the dark. as l could have told him II
had chosen" he was saying to him.
self: my informant was right-it's
hundred to one on II Lathom's hiding
somewhere in the Grange. II this
button didn't come off the coat he was
wearing I'm a Dutchman," II was a
brass button. with a suspicion of some
thing like n smudge of grease paint
on II. whats the doctors game
Why is he hiding Lathom? Rather a
risky game, one would have thought
and what has he to gain by IL? There
are two gates to the grounds of this
house. I'll have those gates watched
night and day: I'll have the grounds
watched night And day. Sooner OF
later Lathom will try to break out
thinking the coast is clear, and then
we'll nab him." the detective added
to himself. his professional amour
propre RULED by his defeat.
He and Mr. Hume turned out into
the high road. They heard the great
key turn i'm the lock of the gate be
hind them.