The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-10-10
"old Radclyne?" he calculated.

~ ySo lNaoSAyiAO oaSlCo
Luke before this awful man came be-
tween them. He had him with him
ever since Luke was a tiny boy. There's
no one in the world for whom he cared
as he cared for Luke, and the affection
was fully ~reciprocated. My belief is
that Lord Radcliffe knows more about
Luke than any n else in the world"
But old Rad is very i'll just now,
unfortunately"
ut would kill him." she retorted, of
anything happened to Luke, whilst he
was being coddled up as a n invalid,
almost as a prisoner, and no news al
lowed to each him"
Sir Thomas was silent for a moment,
obviously buried in thought. That he
was still 1ncredulous was certainly APP
parent to Louisa's super-sensitive per-
ceptions. but that he meant to be Of
help to her. in spite Of this incredulity
was equally certain. Therefore she
waited patiently until he had collected
his thoughts.
We'll. my dear" he said at last, TIL
tell you what l will do. Tomorrow
morning I'll go and see If I can have a
talk with old Rad" +
Tomorrow morning" she broke in
gravely, Luke will be dragged before
the magistrate-the first stage Of that
awful series of humiliations which you
yourself say. Uncle Ryder. that no man
who is innocent can possible endured"
Il know, my dear" he said almost
alphabetically, but I don't see now
how that can be avoided"
I'VE could see Lord Radcliffe to-
night"
"Tonight?' he exclaimed. why, it's
nearly 10 o'clock"
In matters of this sort. time does
not count"
But old Rad is an invalid"
He may be a dead man tomorrow, If
he hanrG that Jrfn-T rln Thn yyoc
the apple of his eye. who is the heir
to his name and title, is being drag
ged In open court before a police mag
1strate, charged with an abominable
crime"
But the doctor, 1 understand, has
forbidden him to see any one."
Il think that the matter has passed
the bounds Of a doctors orders. 1
would go n force my way into his
presence without the slightest scruple.
L know that any news that he may
CLEAN about Luke. within the next few
days, will be far more fatal to him,
than the few questions which 1 want
to ask him tonight"
That may be. my DEAR" retoined Sir
Thomas dryly. but this does not APP
ply to me. Old Rad is a very old
friend Of mine, out If I went with you
on this errand tonight, 1 should be go
ing not as a friend. but in an official
capacity, and as such I cannot do it
without the doctors permission"
Very we'll then" she said quietly,
well ask Doctor Newington's permis-
sion."
For a little while yet Sir Thomas
Ryder seemed to hesitate. Clearly the
girls argument. her simple conviction,
and her latent energy had made a
marked impression upon him.. He was
no longer the sceptical hide-bound Of
heiai; the man the gentleman, was
tearing away at the letters of red tape.
All the old instincts of chivalry which
at times might be dormant in the heart
OF an English gentleman-but which
are always there nevertheless, hidden
away by he mantle Of convention
mad been aroused by Louisa's attitude
toward the man h loved, and also by
the remembrance Of Luke's bearing
throughout this miserable business.
After all what the girl asked was not
so very difficult of execution. There
are undoubtedly cases where the usual
conventional formulas Of etiquette
must give way to serious exigencies.
n there was unanswerable logic in
houisa,s arguments; at any, time
either through his own obstinacy,
or the stupidity or il-will of a
servant--got hold of a newspaper
the suddenness of the blow which he
would receive by learning the terrible
news without due preparation, would
inevitably prove fatal to him. Sir
Thomas Ryder prided himself on being
a diplomatist of the first water; he did
pei1eve that he could SO put the neces-
a r questions to Lord Radclyffe, with
regard to Luke. that the old man
would not suspect h truth for a mo-
of the murder before he had been
stricken with Illness; he had at the
time answered the questions put to him
by the police officer, without seeming
to be greatly shocked at the awful
occurrence; and it was not likely that
ne would be greatly upset at a pro-
fessional visit from an bic friend, who
at the same time had the u%nraveling
of the murder mystery at heart.
All these thoughts mirrored them
selves on Sir Thomas wrinkled face.
He was taking no trouble to conceal
them from Louisa. Soon she saw that
she had won her first victory, for her
uncle now said with sudden determine
ton:
well my dear, you have certainly
got on the right side Of me. Your
aunt always said you had a very per-
suasive way with YOU I'll tell you
what we will do. It is now a quarter
get n one of those COMPOUNDED taxis
and drive to DR.. Newington's. I'll see
him. You shall stay in the cab and
II I can get his permission, we'll go and
have a talk with old Rad-or rather
Ill talk first and you shall pretend that
our joint visit is only a coincidence.
As a matter of fact he knew all about
the murder before he got Ill, and hi
won't think 1t at all unnatural that
I have obtained special medical per-
mission to question him myself on the
subject. Then you must work in your
questions about Luke as best you can
afterward. Is hat agreed, now 2"
Indeed It is, Uncle Ryder" said
Louisa. as she rose from her chair,
with a deep sigh OF infinite content
ment. Thank you," she added gently,
and placed her neatly sloved hand
upon his arm.
With q kind, fatherly gesture, he
gave that little hand an encouraging
pat. Then he rang the bell.
"A t~axi-Quickly." he said to his
man. My fur o and my hat. I am
going out"
Louisa had gained her first victory
She had put forward neither yioIence
nor passion in support Of her arEu-
ments. Yet h had conquered because
she believed.
"A few moments later she and Sir
Thomas Ryder were on their way tc
DR.. Newington's In Hertford street.
l ff -