Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-11-17
CHAPTER xvIi.-(continued.)

you are not very clever" he said,
but anyway, you're a ~fine-looklng
body of men. What do you think Of
yourselves, anyhow? Think you'll cut
out this second story game? Or
safer occupation of dips? My private
advice to you is to try hencoops for a
while. Cut out the big circuit, and go
and get a reputation"
How much OF his biting irony, II
any, the Orientals understood they
did not indicate. They only gazed at
him in dumb misery, evidently in ex-
pectation of an ignoble end. They fol-
lowed Britz with their joint gaze as
he paced up and down the room, both
pitifully watchful, and manifestly
most w~holesomely afraid.
You saw part Of what these chaps
we're doing, Mr.. Sands" said Britz.
but what you saw vas only the last
OF it. want to tell you the way they
went through this room vas amazing.
/ hope you didn't lose many valu-
ables."
Sands, In his slow way, assured he
detective that it was not likely he
searchers had found anything he
would miss very greatly: but the
Headquarters man was not satisfied.
The mystery Of the proceeding, he
was inclined to think, did not begin
and end with the Orientals. 1t was
possible. Of course, they had searched
Sands room simply as a matter Of
routine In the same way that at the
flrst opportunity they probably would
search the home Of everyone who
might be connected In any way with
the Missioner jewel robbery. Yet
something stirred uneasily in Britz's
mind as he reflected on the possibility
that the coming OF the Orientals held
deeper Significance. What II they
had reason to believe they would sure
~ and what they sought In that room?
II Sands did not know there was JUS
tihcation for the search, why did he
take 1t SO calmly? 1t did not seem
natural for a man to keep his temper
whose apartments had been invaded
so thoroughly. II the millionaire had
expressed any Indignation he, Britz,
would have felt better satisfied. Be-
sides, what was 1t the Hindoos had
taken from Sands desk? Sands had
moi seen them take anything, as they
were ending their search when he got
the first glimpse of them. Britz
watched Sands closely to see II the
millionaire's ayes would turn anxi-
ously toward that part OF his furni-
ture. He almost started when the first
move Sands made. after finishing his
task OF binding the prisoners, was to
saunter with a careless air across the
room and, in passing. glance swiftly
and questioningly into the pigeon
holes whence the thieves had alb
etracted the mysterious articles that
70 actively engaged Births always &C
tive curiosity.
TITS about up to us to do q little
searching now. isn't IT." asked Britz.
These bright young men have had
their innings, and / believe it's our
turn at bal. What do you say Mr..
Sands?"
Sands said nothing. He nodded his
head In assent, however. and Britz be-
gan . search Of the Orientals fully as
exhaustive al that they had performed
on the room. Before he had gone far
In his quest, Sands volunteered as
sistance, and each explored the folds
Of the Hindoos' raiment with the
clumsiness that might be expected of
men not accustomed to that sort of
work.
Britx. working nor swiftly than the
millionaire, made his first ind. 1t was
q sheet Of notepaper of fashionable
size and tint, on which had been writ
ten a few lines In a feminine hand.
Britx had not the slightest compunc-
ton Of conscience about reading 1t.
Chivalry was all very we'll in its way,
but 1t played no part in detective
work, especially when the lady most
concerned was not present to make a
protest He moved to the center Of
the room. and In the light Of a cluster
Of in~candescent lamps read aloud to
Sands the following enigmatical mis-
sive:
Curtis Dear: When r you COM