The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-07-11
CHAPTER x1x-(continued.)

l SSNSA 80 3SA
1t, n fewer blunders a undoubted-
ly been committed in the detective de-
partment of the metropolitan police
since Sir Thomas Ryder took the guild
Ing reins in hand.
Il suppose" he said at last, that
you've some to see me about this de
Mountford business"
II have" replied Colonel Harris,
simply.
well it's not a pleasant business"
of it, and it's all a COMPOUNDED dam
nable business, Tom, and that's all
about it."
Unfortunately it's not all about it."
rejoined Sir Thomas, dry:ly.
That's what Louisa says. Women are
30 queer about things of that sort, and
the papers are full Of twaddle. She Is
anxious about Luke"
II don't wonder"
But it's all nonsense, isn't it?"
what is?'
Colonel Harris did not reply imme-
diately; for one thing, lie did not know
exactly how to put his own fears and
anxieties into words. They were SO
horrible and so far fetched that to tell
them plainly and BADLY to his brother
tnlaw, to this man with whom be was
soberly smoking a cigar in a sober
looking Office, whilst hansoms and taxi
cabs were rafting past in the street
below within sight n hearing. seemed
little short of idiocy. He vas not a
nan of deep penetration-was Colonel
Harris-no great reader Of thoughts or
of character. He tried to loo keenly
at Sir Thomas shrewd face, but all he
was conscious of was a network of
wrinkles round a pair Of eyes which
seemed to be twinkling with humor.
Humor at this moment? Great heav-
n above!
IT WISH" he blurted out somewhat
GROSSLY, at last, you'd help me out a
bit, Tom. Hang it all. mar all this
oiicialism makes me dumb"
Don't" said Sir Thomas, dryly, "let
it do that, WILL" and the speakers
ayes seemed to twinkle aver more mer-
rily than before.
Well. then, tell me something about
Luke"
Luke de Mountford." unused the
tant impression.
yes, Luke de Mountford, who is en-
gagged to Louisa, your niece, man. and
she's breaking her heart with all the
drivel these newspapers talk and
couldn't bear it any longer; Sc I've
come to you, Tom. and you must tell
me what truth there is in the drivel
and that's all / want to know"
Sir Thomas Ryder seemed, whilst
the other thus talked yolubly, to have
more than had originally been his in
t%ention. Anyway, he now said with
abrupt directness:
"If, my good VIII, by 'drivel' you
mean that in the matter Of the assas-
sination Of Philip de Mountford. in a
on his cousin. Luke, then there's a
great deal of truth IN the drivel."
Colonel Harris received the sudden
blow without much apparent emotion.
He had been sitting in an armchair
with one hand buried in his trousers
pocket. the other holding a cigar.
Now he merely glanced down at the
ciagr for a moment and then conveyed
1t to his lips.
"What?" he asked. does tina mean,
exactly?"
THAT unless Luke de Mountford will
within the next 48 hours, answer GER
tain questions more satisfactorily thar
he has lone hitherto. he will be arrest
ed on a charge of murder.
THAT is impossible" protested Col
onel Harris, holly.
Impossible? Why?"
"Because-because-hang it all, man
you know Luke de Mountford. Do you
believe for a moment that he would
commit such a dastaydly crime? Why
the boy wouldn't know how to plan
such villany. let alone carry ii
through"
my lear Will.'' rejoined the other
quietly, the many years which I have
spent at this desk AVE taught me
Iluly Innings. Among OlneCS, i AVE
learned that every man is more or less
capable OF crime; 1t only depends what
he incentive-the temptation. If you
like to call 1t so-or the provocatior
happens to be"
But here there was no p~rovocation,
no temptation, no.
Colonel Harris paused abruptly. He
felt rather than saw his brotherinlaw's
eyes in their framework Of wrinkles
resting with obvious sense of amuse-
ment upon his wrathful face. No temp.
tauon? And what Of a pecrage and g
fortune lost, hat could only be re.
gained by the death of the intruder;
No ~provocation? And what Of the
brother and sister turned out Of the
old home? The good. simple-mindet
man had sense enough to see thai
here. il he wished t. speak for Luke
he was OF thc wrong track.
What questions he said abruptly
docs IGkc not answer satisfactorily
"Jlow he spent certain hours of yes.
terday evening"
He was dancing attendance upor
Louisa and me-
'oh. was he? Well, that's satisfac.