Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-04-17

ing on tnut STOOL IN 5000 oar WuAk<
Mr.. Ledsam tortured hlml / beg yor
again not to hurry. Miss Hyslop Al
any rite walt while my servants fetch
you taxi. It was cloudlng over when
came in. We may even have =
thunderstorm"
Il want TO get out Of this house.
Daisy Hyslop declared. Il think you
are all horrible. Mr., Ledsam did be-
have like q gentleman when he came
to see me. and Mr.. ShOpland asked
questions civilly. But you" she
added, turning round to Sir Timothy.
Hush, nay DEAR" he interrupted,
holding out his hand Don't abuse
me. | am not angry with you-not In
the least--and l am going to prove Il.
I shall oppose any search warrant
which you might apply for, Mr.. shop
land. and l think can oppose Il With
success. But / invite you two. Miss
Hyslop and Mr.. Ledsam. to my party
on Thursday night. Once under my
roof you shall have carte blanche. You
can wander where you please, knock
on the walls for secret hiding places,
stamp upon the door for oubllettes.
Upstairs or down. the cellars and the
lofts, the grounds and the park. the
whole Of my domain is for you fran
midnight on Thursday until four
o'clock. What do you say, Mfr. shop
landf Does my offer satisfy your"
The detective hesitated
Il should prefer an invitation for
myself" he declared bluntly.
Sir Timothy shook his head.
"Alas. my dear Mr.. Shopland," he
regretted. that is lmpossIblel If i
had only myself to consider would
not hesitate. Personally like you.
You amuse me more than anyone 4
have met for long time. But unfor'
tunately have my guests to conSiderl
You must be satisfied with Mr. Led
sans report"
Shopland stroked his stubbiy mus
tache. II was obvious that he was not
In the least Disconnected.
"There are three days between now
and then" he reflected.
During those three days, Of course"
SIR Timothy said dryIy. Il shall do my
best to obllterate all traces Of my wa
rious crimes stlIl, you are a clever
detective, and you can give Mr. Led.
sam a few hints. Take my advice.
You won't get that search warrant
and II you apply for II none Of you
viii be at my party
Il accept Shopland decided.
Sir, Timothy crossed--fhe room. un-
locked the drawer Of a magnificent
wrltIng-table, and from a little packet
drew out two cards of Invitation. They
were Of small size but thick. and the
color was brilliant scarlet. On one
ne wrote the name OF Francis, the |
other he nlled in for Miss Hyslop.
Miss Daisy HypIop." he said shall
we drink a glass OF wine together on
Thursday evening, and will you decide
that although, perhaps, am not a
very satisfactory correspondent. can
nj loast be an amInble host1
The girls eyes glistened. She knew
very Well that the possession OF that
.ard meant that for the next few days
the would be the envy Of every one
II her acquaintances.
THANK you. Sir Timothy" she re-
,lIed eagerly. 'You have quite mis-
understood me- but should like 10
'ome to your party"
Sir Timothy handed over the cards.
lie rang for a servant and bowed the
,thers. out. Francis he detained for o
moment.
"Our little duel, my friend, marches"
le said. After Thursday night we
VII speak again Of THIS matter concern
ng Margaret You will know then
what you have to face"
Margaret herself opened the door
nd looked In.
awhat have those people been doing
ere?" she asked. what IL happen
ng7"
Her father unlocked his drawer
nee more and drew out another Of
he red cards.
Margaret" he said, "Ledsam here
as accepted my invitation for Thurs
ay night. You have never, up TIL
ow. honored me. nor have / ever
sked you. suggest that for the first
art OF the entertainment you give me
he pleasure OF your company"
For the first partf'
"For the frst part only he repeat
1. as he wrote her name upon the
ard
what about FrancisT she asked.
IL he to stay all the timer
Sir Timothy smiled He locked up
Is drawer and slipped the key into
Is pocket.
"Eedsam and !" he said, have :.
somlsed one another a more complete
utual understanding on Thursday y
ght. may not be able TO part with y
m quite so soon" :
(To BE coNTINUED.) y