The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-09-03

IlCme98s besides, now that Lady RiS-
dene has taken Jim into her good
Igraces again, you must mot risk her
displeasure BY refusing to 60 with her
to the Continent" the Squire had
said.
1t had ended that, against her own
fluctuations. Margaret had given In to
her fathers wishes. She had left
Lendal a few days after she had
helped Jack Lathom to escape from
his suspected hiding place at the
Orange; she had been out Of Eng
land ever since.
As for Jack Lathom. since his flight
from the rectory on the night he had
driven there In Miss Strangways' car.
his friends had heard no further news
of him; he had disappeared from their
ken completely.
Her anxiety about her lover was not
Hilda's only trouble. Her brother
Stephen had been lying dangerously iii
for some weeks. and. although his con-
fession was In the hands of the police,
his illness. which made II impossible
for them to question him. had brought
matters to a deadlock SO far as acting
on his unconfirmed written statement
was concerned.
In the Kings Arms a group Of
views about tomorrow's race-in the
very smoke-room where weeks ago the
members Of Mrs. Chatterton's theat-
rical company had sat, after supper,
into the early hours discussing the
same subject as was the staple Of
conversation now-when the hands of
the clock pointed to eleven o'clock.
and the barman cried, with an alacri-
ty that did not commend itself to the
company:
Closing time. gents. pleased"
The party reluctantly drained their
glasses and rose.
"You keep your clocks ten minutes
fast, Mrs. Kirby" said one OF the COM
pany, in playfully grumbling tones.
'"Tisnt fair, that! It's a shame to
turn us out till it's actually eleven"
"Oh, some Of you would grumble
at closing time II II was midnight"
retorted Mrs. Kirby. III you'd been
on your feet all day, a. I have, you
wouldn't be sorry to hear eleven strike
even ten minutes before Greenwich
time!"
Presently the company had made
their reluctant way into the street,
AMI the barman had the doors shut
and shooting the bolt by the first
stroke of eleven from the church
tower.
well. I'm glad the Squire's lived
to TIE day of the race" said one. as
they paused outside the great gates.
looking up the long. dark drive to-
wards the house; land quite apart
from my respect for the old chap,
| there's so much money on his horse,
1t would have been rough luck II its
owners death had prevented Pride O.
Life from starting. and those who've
bet on its chances not to have run
| for their money. But no fear Of that
now"
but, ! say. that's queer"
Usually at this hour the old house
was dark. with scarcely light show
| Ing anywhere; but tonight lights were
flashing In the windows. signs OF I'M
usual stir within: moving lights behind
the windows. and then hurried foot
steps coming down the drive-and the
old servant appeared In haste to un.
fasten the gate. and moment later
DR.. Brewer came swiftly on his bicy-
Gle. through the gate. into the road,
riding at tremendous pace towards
the town.
81 say. did you see the doctors
facet" said one of the little group that
had stood aside as the rider passed.
The others had seen It; In the star.
light. as the doctor passed them, his
face had looked curiously white and
set. like that Of q man under stress
of great agitation.
And his lamp not lighted; too
much in hurry to think about It,"
said another. as they walked back to
the town. The doctors bicycle was
standing outside Timson the chem
lists shop. as they turned into the
main street: evidently Timson had
been rung up in great haste. Il won.
der II anything's up?" continued the
former speaker. II wonder if-well.
there's time yet for . slip between
cup and lip-if Pride o. Life will be
able to run after all tomorrow"
His friends laughed at him for .
pessim;st; yet glimpse of DR.. Brew.
er's face In the shop. outlined white
aud anxious against the one gas-jet
that the aurried chemist had lighted.
made the party wonder whether the
morning would bring any startling
news.
But whatever had taken the doctor
In such urgent haste to the chemists
at half-past eleven on the night before.
the smile ON his face was reasurring
enough when he was seen at ten o..
clock the next morning in the town.
'How is my patient. Mr. Mallards
Well. not quite strong enough to see
any of his friends today. ~ We had
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