The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1922-04-20

Idle trip 70 q 3CluO, reporting thai
her son had inst returned unexpect-
edly from the city, ana had gone Id
to change for golf.
Nothing alarming here. vet Harriet
experienced a sick thrill Of apprehen-
sion. Something abnormal seemed to
be the matter with them all this after
noon r.
ibid you call me. Mr.. Carter?" She
hardly knew her own voice. as he
came down the three broad steps from
the house. Her hands felt cold, and
she was trembling.
DO you happen to know where
Hansen is, Miss Field?" JOE.
Driving Mrs. Carter to the Webbs'
at Great Darlington" the girl an
swered, readily. Mrs. Carter left In
a hurry. She did not expect you to-
night. Hansen ought to be back at
about seven, / should think" -
He Vas not listening to her; alb
ruptly left her. When Harriet went
into the house she saw nothing Of
him. She made her usual little round,
spoke briefly to q maid about some
fallen daisy petals, consulted with the
housekeeper as to the new ~cretonne
covers A man was to come and
measure those covers this very after
noon-perhaps this was he. modestly
waiting at the side door.
But no, this man briefly and sim
ply asked to be shown to Mr.. Carter,
remarking that he was expected. He
disappeared into the library; Harriet
saw no more of him for an hour, when
he silently appeared beside her, and
asked to see the chauffeur Hansen
~ soon as he came.
Richard brought the strange man
to the dinner table; but there was
nothing in that to make the dinner
so unnatural. To be sure Richard ate
little, and spoke hardly at all; but
this Mr.. Williams was quite entertain
ing, and the old lady in good spirits.
At eight Hansen was back, present
ing himself in his dusty road-coat;
Mr.. Carter Immediately drew him with
Williams into the library. Nina
loitered up to bed, but the old lady
and Harriet remained downstairs.
They did not like, but they some
times amused, each other. Sudden
~ came the summons: would Miss
Field please step into the library2
Hansen was going out as she came
in; Richard was at the big fiat
topped desk, the man Williams stand
ing somewhat in shadow. Harriet's
heart leaped; they were going to ask
her about Royal. 49,. =
"Just a moment, Miss Field" Rich
ard said. "Will you sit DOWN." And
as Harriet, looking at him in fright
ened curiosity, did 50, he began quiet
": Eve are in some trouble here,
Miss Field. I hardly know how to
tell you what we fear. Did you no
tice. anything strange about-Mrs.
,Carter's-manner todayf"
II thought I did," Harriet admitted.
did you think Of any reason, for
It'll"
Harriet gave the stranger a glance
that made him an e~avesdropper.
II fancied that it vas connected
with-with what distressed her last
night, Mr.. Carter"
"You may speak before MIR. VIII
Hams" Richard said He looked
down; was silent. II asked him to
help me-" he added, slowly. "Was
young Mr.. Pope here today"
This morning. I don't know how
long" Harriet said, with a great Hight,
or darkness, breaking in upon her
mind, che was leaving when Nina and
I came home" - -.
"Do you know who took the tele'
phone call from Mrs. WebbT'
,"No, because nobody did. No per.
son named Webb, called from Great
Darlington, or anywhere else, today
said Williams, breaking in decidedly
his voice a contrast to Richards hest
tating tones. GAS a matter of fact
Hansen didn't drive to Great Barring
ton. Two miles from your gate here
Mrs. Carter gave him other direc
TONS, &a 8s >s
"What directions7" Harriet asked
a~ntagonized by his manner, and feel
ing her cheeks get red. The man eyi
IDENTIFY had small respect for woman
hood.
"He drove to New London" Richart
supplied "Pope's yacht Is there"
His manner was, very quiet, he spok,
almost wearily. but Harriet felt ii 4
a cannon had exploded In the study.
F eve had New London ontthe wire,
said Mr.. Williams. "Mr. Pope had beel
getting ready Tor q cruise. Tn,
chances are that they have alread.
weighed anchor"
ION the other hand" Richard said
CHANGING at his watch, I'VE have an q
cellent prospect Of finding them there
/ was not supposed to come home unit
tomorrow night. i found Mr.. Carter
message at five, twenty-four hour
earlier than she expected me to. WI
Hams may be mistaken, of course" b
finished. with a glance ct the detee
! tive.
@Not Iikelyl" said williams, with
! modest shrug.
However, even re he y right" Rich
ard resumed, .'the chances are tina
they are still there, and Il they are.
| VIII bring-my wife back with me Il
night. Meanwhile, I leave the house i
your care, Miss Field. I needn't tel
you that my mother and Nina must b
kept absolutely ignorant Of what y
suspect. You'Il know what 10 tell then
iii case I should be longer AWAY. ]