The pioneer express., 1912-11-29

breeches and puttees, romping with
one OF his picturesquely graceful Rus
sian wolf-hounds. promptly forgot all
about it.
He came across the sward to meet
me, the great, gaunt white hound
pressing close to his side, and I
thought saw that he, too, had ex-
perienced the inspiriting influence Of
the morning. =.
Il have found an answer" I cried,
while he was still fifty yards away.
possibly the answer"
He raised his brows in question, and
the hound. with open Jaws. fondled his
wrist.
Il had horseback ride before
breakfast" he told me, as he shook
my hand. Then l spent an hour at
the kennels. We've fine new brood
OF collie puppies. You must see them"
II want to-" I returned.
What do you say to tennis?" he
suggested, irrelevantly. "Just set.
It's fine morning for tennis"
If you can lend me pair of shoes, +"
l consented. glaring down at my boots.
"A dozen pairs," he smiled. "Come
up to my dressing room. Louis will fit
you out"
/ was scarcely prepared for this
change in my friends mood, and far
from happy over It. He was evidently
determined to ignore the subject that
had so engrossed US the night before,
hoping to find surcease Of harassing
thought in a restless round Of activi-
ties. The condition was a morbid one
which believed should be discour-
aged; the more 80 as possessed what
I fancied was perfectly practical so.
luton Of that which hitherto had
seemed to US an inexplicable phe-
nomenon. And was a little annoyed,
too, that my good tidings should be
thus disregarded.
When, therefore, We had entered
the hall and Cameron was leading to-
wards the broad, ascending staircase,
l paused.
do you mind giving me Just a
minute?"
He stopped, turned, and stood in
questioning silence.
"A minute in your study" I added.
in explanation.
Reluctantly, it seemed to me, he
crossed to the study door, and throw.
ing 1t open, stood aside that I might
precede him.
The room appeared far less grim
and gloomy than when I had last en-
tered it. Its windows faced the
south; and between the olive-green
tapestry curtains the sun poured in a
flood, lighting up the far corners, CLINT
ing on the gilt ornaments of the writ
ing table, and bathing in dazzling
splendor the FURNISHED bronzes on the
crowded top Of the book-shelves.
II see you are not disposed to re-
sumo our discussion of last night"
began, when Cameron, having closed
the door behind him, halted Just in
side, and with hands in pockets, await
ed my opening. "But l want to show
you that we have been in very much
the same position as the wondering
children who watch the prestidigita-
teur. We have imagined something
amazingly like miracle, which, in
point of fact, is capable Of very sim.
pie. commonplace explanation"
"You mean the cutting out of the
head Of the portrait?" he asked, with
kindling interest.
II do"
you have discovered how It was
done, before my eyes. 50. to speak.
and yeti"
Il have discovered how 1t may have
been done." interrupted.
He moved his head Just perceptibly
from side to side in skeptical gesture.
"The door Of this room is seldom
locked?" queried. ignoring the indi.
Gated skepticism.
Never locked" he answered.
1T would be quite possible for any
one, knowing that you were absent.
to spend an hour or SO here, uninter.
"Any one" he questioned.
ANY one who had gained entrance
to the house," amplified.
"Oh, yes, / presume so."
They would have ample time to
clear space on the book-shelves,
climb up, and carefully cut out the
head. or any part, or the whole Of a
portrait, If they were 80 inclined?"
paused for his answer, but he only
smiled with sort Of incredulous tol-
erance. ~
would they not!'' I insisted. But
Cameron was most perverse this morn
Ing. $
my dear Clyde" he sconed. .of
what use 10 al ,this7 The portrait was
cut, not while was absent, but while
was present. I saw itacomplete at
three O'Clock; at twelve minutes past
three, 1t was ,mutilated." VS.. &
my contention is.' I explained,
quite patiently. "that while you saw
It complete at three O'Clock. the cut
had already been made. but the cut
portion had not been removed. In \
other words. the cutting having been
deftly done, with , thin. sharp knife. It
was perfectly feai iibie to. leave;the Dor.
trait apparently intact, though with
he slightest effort the incised portion,
could subsequently be released With,
;ay. 3 piece Of cord. glued 70 tho lack
IN that especial -purpo M WAL