The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-01-04

one OF his plctureSQuely graceful nus
sian wolf-hounds. promptly forgot all
about 1t.
He came 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.
Il have found an answer" l 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. as he shook
my hand. Then l spent an hour at
the kennels. We've a fine new brood
OF collie puppies. You must see them"
Il want to-" l returned.
What do you say to tennis?' he
suggested. irrelevantly. Just set.
It's a fine morning for tennis"
IF you can lend me pair of shoes"
l consented. glaring down at my boots
"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 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 l believed should be discour-
aged; the more SO as | possessed what
| 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
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 l added,
in explanation.
Reluctantly, it 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 1t. It's windows faced the
south; and between the olivegreen
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 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 l 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 very sim
pie. commonplace explanation"
You mean the cutting out OF the
head of the portrait?" he asked, with
kindling interest.
Il do"
You have discovered how it was
done. before my eyes. so to speak.
and yet"
Il have discovered how 1t may have
been done." l interrupted.
He moved his head Just perceptibly
from side to side in skeptical gesture.
THE door OF this room Is seldom
Id
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, unipter. |
rupted?"
ANY one" he questioned
ANY one who had gained entrance
to the house." amplified.
"Oh, yes. I presume So"
They would have ample time TO
clear a 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?" 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 l was absent, but while
was present. saw 1t complete at
three O'Clock: at twelve minutes past
three. 1t was mutilated"
my contention is,'' 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
deftly done with thin, sharp knife, it
vas perfectly feasible to leave the por-
RAFT apparently intact. though with