Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-12-26
The = 81 e.
SABLE ~"'0
l.0RCHA.
cooM1IG4Z Isls, & G HSczA9c s. CO.

sight OF Cameron himself, in riding
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 !
thought | saw that he, too. had ex-
perienced the inspiriting influence OF
the morning.
Il have found an answer" | 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.
81 had a horseback ride before
breakfast" he told me, as he shook
my hand. Then I spent an hour at
the kennels. We've a fine new brood
OF collie puppies You must see them"
Il want TO-" / 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"
| consented, glaring down at my boots.
"A dozen pairs" he smiled. Come
up to my dressing room. Louis VIII fit
you out"
was scarcely prepared for this
| change in my friends mood, and far
from happy over II. He was evidently
| determined TO ignore the subject that
had so engrossed us the night before,
| hoping TO find surcease OF harassing
thought in restless round of activi.
! ties. The condition was a morbid one
which | believed should be dlscour-
aged; the more so as possessed what
! fancied was perfectly practical So
luton OF that which hitherto had
scemed to us an inexplicable phe-
| nomenon. And | was a little annoyed,
100. that my good tidings should be
thus disregarded.
| When, therefore, We had entered
he hall and Cameron was leading to-
/ wards the broad, ascending staircase.
/ | paused.
DO you mind giving me Just a
minute?"
| He stopped, turned, and stood in
| questioning silence
"A minute in your study" / added,
in explanation.
| Reluctantly, 1t seemed to me, he
crossed to the study door, and throw.
ing it open, stood aside that | might
precede him.
The room appeared far less grim
and gloomy than when l had last en-
tered It, It's windows faced the
south; and between the olive-green
tapestry curtains the sun poured in a
food, 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
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 | 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, ii
point of fact, is capable of very sim
e PIE. commonplace explanation"
You mean the cutting out OF the
E head of the Portrait" he asked. will
kindling interest.
81 do"
, you have discovered how It wa,
I done. before my eyes, so to speak
and yet"
) Il have discovered how 1t may hav,
a been DONE" l interrupted.
He moved his head just perceptibl!
! from side TO side in skeptical gesture
r The door Of this room is seldom
locked?" | queried, ignoring the indl
a Gated skepticism.
: Never locked" he answered.
e TT would be quite possible for an,
I one, knowing that you were absent
D to spend an hour or 30 here. uninter
e rupted?"
, Amy one?" he questioned.
& Amy one who had gained entranc
g to the house." | ampliied.
D oh, yes, l presume So"
o They would have ample time l.
clear a space on the book-shelves
n climb up, and carefully cut out tn
n head, or any part, or the whole OF
b portrait, II they were so inclined?"
a paused for his answer, but he onl
l. smiled with a sort OF incredulous to-
erance.
e Would they not?" ! insisted. Blu
Il Cameron was most perverse this morn
q ing
c My dear Clyde" be scoffed. q
0 what use is all this? The portrait wa
,, cut, not while l was absent, but Will
J. was present. saw it complete a
d three O'Clock; at twelve minutes pas
d three, il was nutilated."
y My contention is," explained
q quite patiently, that while you sa'
IL complete at three o'clock, the Gu
r had already been made, but the GU
J. portion had not been removed.
J )raer words, the cutting having bee
0 iaftly done with thin, sharp knife,
q vas perfectly feasible 10 leave the po
81 raft apparently intact, though wit