The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-05-14

searching eyes were bent ke6nly on
Bonholt.
by Philips grave?" Bonholt Hume
had been betrayed into a little start.
Il think know from your descrip-
tion-a Miss Olive Vanstone, staying
at the rectory. A friend of the rectory
people,"
"Who is she?"
Il don't know anything about her"
He was wondering suddenly If it could
have been this woman. Olive Van
stone, who had put those white flow
ers on Philips grave that had occu-
pied his thoughts earlier that evening.
We'll, I'm sorry for poor Philip, but
it's an ill wind that doesn't blow luck
to some one, Bonholt! Glad to see
you in clover again. Selflshly glad,
perhaps with little cynical smile.
The hint of the words was unmis-
taxable to Bonholt. He had known
that the question of those old gam
bling debts of his to Anthony Strang-
ways would crop up. but he had hoped
their discussion would be deferred till
after dinner. He did not answer.
'Of course, now you'll be able to
settle your debts of honor, Hume
, went on Anthony Strangways, calmly,
since his hint was disregarded. 'And
know what satisfaction that will
be to man like you"
"As matter of fact, Strangways,
what I've come into isn't worth any
thing like what you think it isl said
Bonholt Hume. abruptly, but still with
his pleasant smile. "And a racing
man like you doesn't need to be told
that gambling debts aren't recovera-
BILE by law. Have some more wine"
Thanks" There was a smile on
the dark, cynical face. Strangways
filled his glass and pushed the de-
canter across to his host. He was
not surprised He knew Bonholt bet
ter, perhaps, even than Bonholt him
self suspected; whatever others might
do. this man of the world had always
been able to read his host like a book.
But he could afford to smile tolerantly.
He had trump card up his sleeve.
Yes, l know that. But, of course,
only rank outsider ever pleads the
gaming act. Men like you and myself,
Hume don't do it, Ell? It's rather
amusing to hear you talk. should
think you'll manage to keep out of the
worshouse. anyway"
The smile died in Bonholt's face: 1t
! had needed rather an effort at the
last.
Look here, Strangways, don't
mind telling you Philip made ducks
and brakes with what his father left
him. Besides. the foundry in Fslls.
garth isn't doing anything like so we'll.
All this dumping down of American
steel rails has affected it. |. might be
able to make an offer, compro.
mise"
Come. you've got everything-and
l know that Hume was pretty warm -
said Strangways in his dry, unruf1led
way. You were heir-at-law. BY the
way, Hume. since it wasn't left to
you by will, it would have been awk-
ward for you if Philip had ever mar.
ried?"
Bonholt laughed.
But since he never did marry" he
said, Il don't trouble my head wheth.
er it would have been awkwardly or
I not"
"Ah, you're a philosopher, Bonholt.
But about Philips death-rum. mys-
FERROUS affair, wasn't it?" said his
guest, who for all his carelessness had
a very definite point in view to which
he was leading the conversation, "You
don't suppose this young Lathom did
it?''
Bonholt looked up at the speaker
suddenly for moment, as he was
pouring out more wine. Then he look.
ed down at the glass again. what
else is one to think?" he said.
Everything else. There's no case
against Lathom. He threatened Phil
! Up after he had row; what of that
I've had rows On race courses before
today, and told a man that the next
! time met him I'd do this or do that
TO call an angry Quitting of passion
proof is nonsense. And it was said
ne was Jealous of Philip. Rot! la
thom's not the sort to kill rival
We're in England, and men don't dc
things like that, not men like Lathom
l suppose the magistrates had to com
NIT him, because Of the evidence o.
the revolver; but 1 doubt If Jury
would have found him guilty."
But there was no one else who
could have had any cause for doins
it," said Bonholt Hume, quickly.
ooh, people with motives strong
enough to impel them to murder dom
necessarily advertise Them" sale
Strangways, with careless shrug
"And in case like this look for {
motive. Such motive. say, as re
venge; passionate woman, for in
stance, who has cause to feel hersel
deeply injured by a man, or the mo
tive of a man who would benefit b,
his death"
The glass that Bonholt Hume wa
raising as Strangways spoke neve
reached his lips. Perhaps his finger
unconsciously frightened with too mucl
| .DreSsIre m tho S1ondor ,s%.,o - ~,