The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-12-12

sian wolt-hounds. promptly forgot all
about 1t.
He ame across the sward to meet
me. the great, gaunt white hound
pressing close to his side, and
thought I saw that he, too, had ex-
perienced the inspiriting influence of
the morning.
II 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 a horseback ride before
breakfast" he told me, a. he sheok
my hand. "Then l spent m hour at
the kennels. We've a 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 a set.
It's a fine morning for tennis"
If you can lend me a pair Of Shoes"
I consented, glazing down at my boots.
"A dozen pairs" he smiled. Come
up to my dressing room. Louis will fit
you out"
I was scarcely prepared for this
change in my friends mood, and far
from happy I'VE 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 I believed should be discour-
aged; the more 10 al I possessed what
l fancied was a perfectly practical so
luton of that which hitherto had
seemed to us an inexplicable phe-
nomenon. And 1 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 it open, stood aside that I might
precede him.
The room appeared far less grim
and gloomy than when / had last en-
tered it. It's 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 b~ook-shelves.
II see you are not disposed to re.
sumo our discussion Of last night" I
began, when Cameron, having closed
the door behind him, halted just in
side, and with hands in pockets, await
ed my opening. But I 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 a miracle, which, in
point Of fact, is capable Of a 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 1t was
! done, before my eyes, so to speak,
and yet"
II have discovered how it may have
been done," I interrupted.
He moved his head just p%erceptibly
from side to side in skeptical gesture.
"The door Of this room is seldom
locked?" l 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.
rupted?"
"Any one?" he questioned.
"Any one who had gained entrance
to the house," I amplifed.
"Oh, yes, I presume So"
"They would have ample time to
clear a space o. the book.shelves,
climb up, and carefully cut out the
head. or any part, or the whole Of a
portrait, II they were so inclined?"
/ paused for his answer. but he only
smiled with a sort Of i%ncredulous toll
erance.
would they mott" I insisted. But
Cameron was most peryerse this morn
ing.
my dear Clyde" he scofed. "of
what use is all this? The portrait wal
cut, not while l wat absent, but while
1 was present. I saw it complete at
three o'clock; at twelve minutes past
three, it was mutilated."
my contention IT," 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
deity done with . thin, sharp knife. it
was perfectly feasible to leave the por-
RAFT apparently, intact, though with
he slightest effort the incised portion
.ould subsequently be released-witf,
ay, a piece Of cord. glued to the lack
or, that especial purpose"