The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1913-03-07

sian wolf-hounds, promptly forgot all
about it.
He came across the sward to meet
me. the great. gaunt white hound
pressing close 10 his side, and |
thought l 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
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 fine new brood
of collie puppies. You must see them"
II 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 pair Of shoes"
| consented, glazing 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 restless round of actiyi-
ties. The condition was a morbid one
which l believed should be discour-
aged; the more so as | possessed what
fancied was a perfectly practical So
luton of that which hitherto had
seemed to us an inexplicable phe-
nomenon. And | was a little annoyed,
too, that my good tidngs should be
thus disregarded,
When, therefore, we had entered
he hall and Cameron was leading to-
| 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 10 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 ha. last en-
tered il. Its windows faced the
south: and between the olive-green
tapestry curtains the sun poured in
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.
81 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 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.
81 DO"
You have discovered how 1t was
done, before my eyes. SO to speak,
and yet"
Il have discovered how it may have
been done" | interrupted
He moved his head just perceptibly
from side TO side in skeptical gesture.
The door Of this room is seldom
locked?" I 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" l amplified
"Oh, yes. 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. If they were so inclined?"
paused for his answer, but he only
smiled with sort of incredulous toll
erance.
Would they noto" | 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. ! saw it complete at
three O'Clock; at twelve minutes past
three, it 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
deity done with a thin, sharp knife. II
vas perfectly feasible TO leave the por-
raft apparently intact, though with
he slightest effort the incised portion
,ould subsequently be released-with.
nv a niece of cord p1uPd IN tho hack