The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-07-18

In fact we see Sir Thomas Ryder
hard dfsciplinarian, a hide and tame
bound offic1al-freely transgressing
the most elementary rules which duty
private office with his brotherinlaw.
giving away secrets that belonged not
to him but to his department, conniv-
Ing through the words which he spoke
at the fleeing from Justice of a crimi-
nal who belonged not to him but to
the state.
He was making the case against
Luke de Mountford to appear as black
as 1t was in effect, SO that Colonel
Harris and Louisa might take fright
and induce the unfortunate man to
realize his danger In time and to shrink
from facing the consequences of his
own terrible deed.
But Colonel Iarris-with the obsti-
macy of those who throughout life have
never led but have always been ruled
would not see the case through his
b~rotherinlaw's spectacles. He clung to
MS own reputation of the possibility
OF Luke de Mountford's guilt. He be-
naved quite unconsciously, Just as
Louisa would ave wished him to be-
have. had she been present he.e to
prompt him..
To Sir Thomas most convincing ex-
pose of the situation he lent an atten-
tive ear, but the shrug of his shoulders
Nhen the other man paused to take
breath was II. itself q testimony Of
loyalty to Luke's cause.
Hang 1t all, man." he said, you are
not going to sit there and tell me that
luke de Mountford-the man whom I
myself would have chosen as a sonin-
law had Lou not forestalled me-that
luke would commit a deliberate muir
DER! In the name of common sense,
Tom, why it's unthinkable! Do you
mean to say that you actually believe
forsaken club. Joined his cousin again
as If nothing had happened; that he
got int a taxicab with him, and poked
him through the neck whilst the man
was looking another way"
tough speaking" assented Sir
Ihomas, i believe that's what hap
pened."
And you call yourself a shrcwd de-
tective!" exclaimed Colonel Harris
holly. And you hold the lives of men
practically in h hollow Of your hand!
Why man! have you forgotten enc
thing?" he continued, his gruff voice
assuming a note Of triumph, "the most
important in all this damnable busi-
ness?"
What nave / forgotten, WHIP" asked
the other not at all rufled by the gall
ant coloneIs sudden tone of contempt.
The weapon, Toni"
II haven't forgotten the Weapon" re-
Joined Sir Thomas calmly.
on, yes, you have! Do you moan
to tell me that Luke de Mountford
habitually walks about the streets OF
London with an Italian stiletto in his
trousers pocket for I am told that II
was with a thing of that sort that the
murder was committed. Or according
to you did Luke escort Louisa to q
dinner party with the avowcd intention
at the back of his mind of committing
a murder later on il occasion offered?
Did he bring an Italian stiletto from
home when he came to meet his fancee
at the Langham hotel, or did he buy
n on the way to the Veterans club?
Which of these cock-and-bull theories
do o hold, Tom?"
Neither" admitted Sir Thomas with
a placid smile.
Then" concluded Colonel Harris
contemptuously. you think that Luke
was-as I said-in the habit of CARRYING
an Italian ~stiletto in his trousers pock-
ETY."
ruffed, but 1 know that Luke de
Mountford is in this habit Of carrying a
snakewood walking stick, which he
once bought-years ago-somewhere
abroad, and the top of which contains
a short pointed dagger which fits into
Liz Dooy VI Tie SUCK. ana what 3
more o know that stick too, Will;
you have often seen it. Are you pre-
pared to swear that Luke hadn't 1t
with him last night?"
H hadn't it with him.
You are prepared to swear to that:'
insisted the other earnestly.
Colonel Harris was silent. For the
first time since the beginning of this
long interview he felt as if all the
blood in his body was receding back
to his heart causing it to beat so wild
ly that he thought it was about to
choke him. The color fled from his
cheeks and the cigar dropped from be-
tween nerveless fingers. swift as light
ming a recollection came back to him
"a vision Of Luke entering the sitting
room Of the Langham hotel with his
coat on and his hat and stick in the
left hand.
But he would not give in eyen now
not on such paltry surmises. Any
number Of men he knew carried sticks
that contained weapons Of seif-defense.
He himself possessed a very murder
ous-looking swordstick which he G
once bought In Paris. He fought down
this oncoming attack of weakness, and
blamed himself Severely for it too. It
savored Of disloyalty to Louisa and to
Luke. He stopped and picked his cigar
up and looked his brotberinlaW boldly
in the face.
II wouldn't" he said, swear either
way, whether Luke had his stick with
him last night or not. Z Inow that
stick, Of course. 7 have got one very
like it myself"
so have l." reioined Sir Thomas
with his placid smile.
CONTINUED Next Weekly