The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1909-06-11

met at the gates Of the Grange. Who
formed ~ marked q contrast 10 each
other az could well DO imagined. ono
was an elderly gentleman with Z
benevolent. almost cherubic, ,counte-
nance, and the other was the diSrepu.
table looking little tout who had mani.
tested such an interest in Jack La
thom's professional name.
Mr.. Bonholt Hume did not allow
himself to be betrayed into any i'm.
patience. though 1t was some time be-
fore the old man servant appeared
down the drive in answer to the bell.
II want to see Mr.. Strangways, my
good man, said Mr.. Hume, In his
silkiest voice, beaming through the
gate.
And 'ere's note you're to give to
Miss Strangways." The little horsy
man thrust dirty, thumbed envelope
into the servants hands through the
ratings of the gate, and he went
away without waiting for an answer,
with an evil grin.
It was evident that the man serv.
ant had been under the impression
that Mr.. Bonholt Hume and the little
shifty-eyed person had come together;
and as the latter departed the first
look Of suspicion left his face.
What name shall I take to the
doctor, sir?" I.
"Mr. Hume-Mr. Bonholt Hume.
But it's Mr.. Strangways, not his
medical man, I've come to see.'
II know my ORDERS" said the serv
ant, grufly, as he unlocked the gates.
Bonholt followed him into a ROOM
where present. ythe doctor came.
"Ah, good afternoon" said Bonholt,
in his pleasantest manner. eve run
over from Yorkshire today to have a
peep at my old friend. Thought I
would give him pleasant surprise;
so long since l have seen him. You're
his medical adviser. understand?
Before seeing Mr.. Strangways,
should like to hear from you how my
old friend is. Failing. I'm afraid, eh?"
Its pity you did not apprise him
of your intention" said the doctor,
dryly. "As it is, I'm afraid my pa
tient will not be able to see you.
Really he is wonderfully better, only,
as it happens, today is one of his
bad days."
Nonsense" laughed Bonholt. 1T
will do him good to see so old friend
as myself. We used to be insepara.
BILE, Ralph and t.
The doctor looked hard at him for
an instant.
well, will go and ask Mr.. Strang.
ways if he feels strong enough to
have few minutes chat with so old
a friend"
The doctor went out of the room,
pulling the door after him, without
quite closing it. Bonholt crept quiet.
ly to the door, and through the chink
he watched the doctor unlock baize
door nearly facing him in the hall. AS
the doctor closed the baize door and
shut it after him, Bonholt tiptoed out
into the hall and across to that door,
and very gently turned the handle.
A look of chagrin crossed his face;
evidently the lock automatically fas.
tened when the door was closed.
II believe Anthony Strangways was
right-there is some queer business
going on here" Bonholt Hume wills.
pered to himself Locked gates, and
this door put up to shut OF Ralph
Strangways apartments, as If he were
prisoner! It's mysterious, to say
the least. 1 suppose that Ralph
Strangways is dead, and they are
keeping up the pretense of his being
alive until after the race, to enable
Pride O. Life to run. That doctor
looks wide enough for anything
ITO Be continued.)