The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-07-09
CHAPTER xxx.
A Brass Button.

For once Bonholt Hume'S easy sell
possession had deserted him. in face
of the humiliating reception that he
had encountered now on forcing him.
self second time into Ralph Strang-
ways house. He fingered with a sense
of awkward constraint, at loss how
to carry off the situation. yet feeling
that to allow himself to be contempt
uously dismissed by Mr.. Strangways.
and in the detectives presence. with
out some assertion of his dignity
would be intolerable.
But at least he had some definite
news for Anthony Strangways. In
whatever way all the rumors rife
about the owner of Pride o. Life had
arisen, it was clear TO Bonholt Hume
now that they were without founda-
ton.
Yet 1t was odd that for weeks the
servants in the house had never had
glimpse of their master, and were not
admitted to the wing shut of by the
baize door which Ralph Strangways
occupied-he had picked up that bit
of gossip in town-since the squire's
temper alone indicated no sign of
failing health. And the manner of
Miss Strangways. who had just enter
ed, had rather puzzled him. Evidently
She had been surprised to see her
father. She had looked at the figure
in the dressing gown, leaning on the
tasselled stick, as though she could
not believe her eyes.
you may well look amazed. Mar
garet." said the old man. giving ex-
preston to the thought In Bonholts
mind. Il have had visit from the
police" waving an irritable hand to-
ward the detective.inspector from
Fellsgarth, "who seem TO think that
we harbor escaped criminals ut the
Grange. II has upset me, my girl; 1t
is enough TO upset any man"
surely there is some mistake,
father" The girls face had gone
curiously white; she spoke with a
sort of nervous constraint.
"Of course there's n mistake!" was
the testy reply Eat least trust so.
After keeping my gates locked to shut
out the swarm of Newmarket touts
and hoolimakers' spies. who. because
| chose to live i'm seclusion. seem to
think am going to die before Pride o.
Lies race. | don't want even worse
characters, like an escaped suspect
of murder. lurking about the place.'
you are exciting yourself again, Mr..
Strangways," said the doctor. in a
low. anxious voice. laying a quoting
hand on the old mans arm. 1T would
have been better II you had left ME to
interview these gentlemen"
"All right. Brewer; I'm going back
to my ROOM" He turned again to the
detective. Il insist that you either
satisfy yourself that your suspicious
are groundless. or else that you drag
the fellow from wherever he Is hiding
If | am to get a wink of sleep to
night. after you have put this thought
into my mind. You must search the
house. This is my room where have
| been sitting: you'd better begin by
searching that" And he waved q
hand toward partly open door.
The detective made a deprecatins
gesture.
Il am only sorry to trouble you Al
all. Mr.. Strangways." he said. IF vol
have been sitting there. sir. 1t car
hardly be possible that the man /:
| hiding in that ROOM"
He might suspect the doctor Of hav
ing hand in Jack Lathom's disap
pearance: but Mr. Strangways. wei
known 10 him by reputation. was {
justice of the peace and beyond sus
picion.
We'll, hardly think you'll find hin
there" said the old man. grimly, "hu
it's at your disposal If YOU care IL
look
He pushed the door wide open witt
movement of his stick: the detect
ives eyes glanced round the room, th'
walls of which reflected ruddily th'
dancing flames of the fire. A nurs,
In her uniform could be seen movin:
inside. the nurse that DIR. Brewer hat
sent from London to attend on his pa
tient.
"A. least search the rest of th'
house." lie continued. Il would &C
company you. only my state of healtl
must be my excuse. | beg that Mr.
Hume will help you. Mr.. Hume. If
was little curt. pray pardon an all
ing mans irritability." Bonholt Hum'
bowed stiffiy at this semblance of Al
apology. you were so nearly relates
to Philip Hume that your zeal is mai