The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-06-18
CHAPTER XVI. (con.inued.)

OUAVB En- AAVt. (O0uItnOeo.)
He had come down to spy out on
Anthony Strangways' behalf. Bonholt
was exceedingly anxious to find out
what there was suspicious, because he
was rather afraid Of Anthony, after
his revelation that the woman calling
herself Olive vanstone. who had been
stopping with the Ruthens, was,
whether she herself knew 1t or not,
Philip Hume's widow. and as such had
prior right Of Inheritance to the
comfortable fortune he was enjoying.
Anthony had been convinced that
something was happening - 'some
queer game" as he had put it-in this
house. and Bonholt Hume was begin
ming to feel that the suspicion was
correct.
He looked cautiously round, then
bent and put his eye to the keyhole.
He could see nothing. but he could
hear q voice. the Doctors speaking
In low, rapid tone to some one in a
room just beyond the door. and that
some one was evidently not Ralph
strangways, for the words he caught
with difficulty we're:
Yes, this man has plainly come to
spy out about Ralph Strangways, for
al his plausible talk. There's one
thing-he'il ind out nothing; he won't
0nd out that"
Bonholt Strengthened himself sud.
denly and made a step from the door.
He had heard a footstep in the hall.
He turned quickly, going very red.
wondering II he had been caught
eavesdropping: inwardly raging. too.
II he could have caught the next few
words spoken behind that locked
baixe door he felt he might have
something important to communicate
to Anthony.
Miss Strangways had come into the
hall; Bonholt could not be sure from
her manner whether she had actually
seen him with his ear to the door. He
tried to cover his confusion by an ap-
pearance Of unconcern, as overdone as
when weeks ago Stephen Ruthen had
caught him prying into drawer in
bis study.
"How d'you do, Miss Strangways?
So long since we met. felt I must
run down and see my dear old friend,
your father. Surely you remember
me. Mr.. Hume?"
She bowed slightly without extend.
Ing her hand. She knew perfectly well
that this man and her father had
never been more than mere racing
acQuaintsnces-and why was he loiter-
Ing near that door?
The turf and men connected with
L were alike abhorrent to this girl,
who had been brought up In the at
Of racing. who had seen SO
much OF its attendant evils. It was
The turf that had brought her father
10 the brink OF ruin; 1t was this gam
bling fever. that was q horror to her,
which had drawn this swarm of
racing touts and betting men to ho-
ver about this place trying to obtain
glimpse OF Ralph StrangWays-
ghouls who would not hesitate to In
rude on q mans deathbed In their
sagerness to know whether q horse
.ould run In q race. Was this man
here for that same purpose?
Il am sorry II the servant has left
1ou to wait In the hail." she said,
oddly.
mo: I've seen the doctor; he has
ust gone to see II your father IL
'trong enough to see me. and I ,un-
hinkingly strolled out after him"
Wont you wait for him here. Mr..
Iume!" She held open the door Of
he morning room. And Bonholt,
uming. went In again. II only he
ould have heard the rest Of the doc
or's words!
Thank you. I am sorry to hear
uch bad news of your father" he
aid. watching her face. Believe me,
. an old friend, sympathize
eeply-"
Thank you." she said. Il must |
ok you to excuse me. Mr.. Hume"
md the girl went away.
III Ralph Strangways is living he's
q . pretty bad way, that's certain"
nuttered Hume to himself. He had
cen the tears start into the girls
yes at his deliberate words. and she
ad not contradicted him.
Margaret Strangways walked away.
he note was In her hand that had |
cen left at the gate at the time Bon
olt Hume was asking for Mr.. Strang.
'ays-an insolent note. unsigned. but
written by the man who had
ried to wrest the key Of the wall
DOR from her.
You and that friend Of yours who's |
0 ready with his lists spoiled my
lans this afternoon. but I'm getting
bit Of my own back. and something
yer. You ask him how 1t feels to
Q In jail. l expect he hasn't told you
nat. nor who he is-no blooming
sar! So I'll tell you. He's Jack La
1om Of Fellsgarth-wanted for the
lurder Of Philip Hume. l hope you're
roud OF your pal. and are glad to
now that because OF you 1t won't be !
L.