The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-07
THE wAToHMAN AND souTHRoN, DECEMBER 7, 1912
It's a nne morning Tor tennls.-

It's flne morning for tennis"
III you can lend me pair OF Shoes"
I consented, glaring down at my boota
"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 1t. He was evidently
determined to ignore the subject that
had SO engrossed US the night before.
hoping to ind surcease OF harassing
thought In a restless round of activi.
ties. The condition was a morbid one
which / believed should be d!scour-
aged; the more so as possessed what
l fancied was perfectly practical So
luton OF that which hitherto had
seemed to us an inexplicable phe-
nomenon. And was 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.
paused.
DO you mind giving me just
minute?"
He stopped, turned. and stood In
questioning silence.
"A minute In your study. added,
In explanation.
Reluctantly, It seemed to me, he
crossed to the study door, and throw
Ing 1t open, stood aside that might
preoede him.
The room appeared far less grim
and gloomy than when had last en-.
tered 1t. Its windows faced the
south; and between the olive-green
tapestry curtains the sun poured In q
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.
Il see you are not disposed to re-
'ume 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 / 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, ia capable Of a very sim.
pie, commonplace explanation"
You mean the cutting out of the
head Of the portrait?" he asked, with
kindling interest.
"I do"
you have discovered how It was
done. before my eyes, 80 to speak.
and yet"
Il have discovered how 1t may have
been done." interrupted.
He moved his head Just perceptibly
from side to side in skepticaI 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 80 here uninter-
rupted?"
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, II they were so inclined?"
paused for his answer, but he only
smiled with a sort Of incredulous toll
erance.
would they not?" l insisted. But
Cameron was most perverse this morn
ing.
my dear Clyde" he scoffed, "of
what use Is all this? The portrait was
cut, not while was absent. but while
was present. l saw 1t complete at
three o'clock; at twelve minutes past
three. It was mutilated."
"My contention is," explained,
quite patiently, that while you saw
1t 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 a thin, sharp knife. 1t
was perfectly feasible to leave the por-
trait apparently intact, though with
the slightest effort the incised portion
could subsequently be released-with.
say, a piece of cord. glued to the back
for that especial purpose"
Now that had made myself clear.
Cameron was quick to acknowledge
the possibility Of such a method.
And the cord, you mean. led down
behind the book-shelves. and perhaps
through a Window" he suggested.
Precisely. And was pulled by some
one on the outside"
"Yes." he said. thoughtfully. "Such
an explanation is not unreasonable.
The thing. really, must have been
done in some such way"