Richmond Hill Public Library News Index

The Liberal, 5 Jan 1911, p. 2

The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

“Now, if you approach that winâ€" dow again I am pretty certain that my revolver will go off. You see, I am an American, and we are so careless with such weapons. Please go to your room at once.” “Take the Rembrandt away. You eannot. The frame is of iron, and it is fastened to the wall. Please go to your room. “If you refuse I» ska-11 hold you up with my weapon and alarm the whole house. But I don’t want to do that, 'for the Sake of the other man. He is so very respectable, you know. Yes, it is just as I ex- pected. He is coming up the ivy to investigate himself. Gm!” Learning forward, Christabel could hear the sound of labored breathing. She seemed to see the outline of an arm outside, she could catch the quick ratble of the sash, she could almost; see a. bent; wire crooked through the beaded edges of the easement. The window swung noiselessly back and a. figure stood poised on the ledge outside. “Why not come in through the front door, Mr. Littimer?” Christa- bel drawled, coolly. “That is the way you used to enter when you had been out- contrary to parental instructions and the keepers exâ€" pected to have a fracas with the poachers. Your bedroom being exâ€" actly opposite, detection was no easy matter. Your bedroom has never been touched since you left. The key is still outside the door. Will you kindly enter it 7” body was climbing up the ivy out- side the house. She felt her way along until she came to the alcove containing the Rembrandt and then she stopped. Her hand slid along the wall till her fingers touched the switch of the electric light. She stood for a, long time there perfectly motionless. The rattling of the ivy came in jerks, spasmodi- cally, stopping every now and then and resuming again. The intruder dropped inside and pulled the window behind him. Evi- dently he was on familiar ground, though he seemed to be seeking an unfamiliar object. Christabel’s hand stole along to the switch; there was a. click, and the alcove was bathed in brilliant light. The intruder shrank back with a start- led cry. The revolver covered Lit/timer Quite steadil'y! A He packgd ‘bef4;)rc the. weapon, backed until he was in the doorway. Suddenly the girl gave him a push, shut the dam too, and turned the key in the lock. Almost at the same instant, a bulky figure loomed large in the window- frame. 52317053 6:133 V “Ana if I refuse your ridiculous request?” “There you are quite mistaken,” Christabel said, coolly. “But your vemark, my lord, savers slightly of lmpertinent curiosity. I might as well ask you why. your family is not here.” The conversation ended abruptly. That night in the drawingâ€"room Lord Lit/timer said, “The drawing- reom is at your disposal, though I rarely enter it myself. I always retire at eleven, but that need not bind you in any way. It has been altogether a moat delightful even- lug.” But Christabel did not dally long in the drawingâ€"room. She retired to her room, where she changed her dress for a. simple black gown. A big clock somewhere was striking twelve as she finished. She looked out of her door. The whole house was in darkness. She paused for a moment as if afraid, then stepped into the corriâ€" dor. She carried something shining in her hands. She stood just for an ‘lnstantwith a feeling that 'some- “B1'1t/â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"” Frank stammeredé’ "But I assure you that; I cannot:â€"” Lord Littimer returned from a lide to one of his tenants. "You have always been used to this class of life 'l” Littimer asked. “We agreed to differ,” Littimer responded. “I recollect it caused me a great deal of annoyance at the time. And my son chose to take his mother’s part.” quicklyv “:5: 7 itigrcvprqs'col'cijrh a the (hm-l and inns. - I - 25 03:3. Primes Rupai’fs fling; CHAPTER XXI. OR, THE HOUSE OF THE. SILENT SORâ€"ROW. “I’m to let you 50 quietly to bed and retire myself, so that when _ ‘morning arrives you will be miss- ” ing together with as much plunder [ah he... as you can carry away. No, sir.” 35 Gem- Henson advanced angrily. His ‘VlnfloVV- l V ' “I came down here to see my very noble relative, and his son accompanied me. I came to try and make peace between father and son. But that is a family matter which, forgive me, I cannot; discuss with a. stranger. Our train was late, or we should have been hem long ago. On reaching the castle it struck me as a good idea to give Lord Littimer a lesson as to his carelessness. My was to climb through the window, abstract the Rembrandt, and slip quietly into my usual bedroom here. Then in the morning, after the picmrc has been missed, I was going i) tell the whole story. That is why Tllr. Littimer entered this way and why 'I followed when I found that he had failed to return. it was a. foolish thing; to do, but the dmwuemcnt has been most humiliating. l as- sure you that is all." “I am atnid I shall have to make a clean breast of it.” Henson said, with what he fondly imagined to be an engaging smile. “You may, perhaps, be. aware that yonder Rembrandt has a history. It was stolen from its present owner once, and I have always said that it will be stolen again. Many a time have I urged Lord Littimer to make it secure. He would have liked to burst out into a torrent; of passion, only he recognized his position. It was anything but nice for a, man of his distinguished position to be detectâ€" “Oh, indeed. Then why didn’t- you come in through the front {11’} door . “I said it can’t be done,” the girl drawled, coolly. “The frame is made of iron and it is fixed to the wall by four long stays. I perâ€" suaded Lord Littimer to have it done. And when I heard you two prowling about down there I was glad. I’ve got the other one safe.” ed in an act suspiciously like vul- gar burglary. “Are you aware who I am?” he asked. “Well, you are certainly a cool hand,” she said. “And you r-eal- ly‘ expect me to believe a fairy story like that !” “I admit that appearances are against me,” Henson said, humb- ly. "But I am speaking the truth.” ‘ He looked round him uneasily, but his expression changed as his eyes fell on the Rembrandt. He staggered toward the picture and endeavored to take it gently from the support. “What does it matter? I’ve got the other one, and no doubt he will be identified by the police. lffhe doesn’t say too much he may get off with a, light sentence. It is quite easy to see that you are the greater scoundrel of the two.” “My dear young lady, do you acâ€" tually take Hie for a burglar I am a very old friend and relative of Lord Littimer’s.” “Oh, indeed. And is the other man a. relative of Lord Littimer’s also?” “Oh, why. Confound it, yes. The other man, as you called him, is Lord Littimer’s only son.” >‘I‘Not finite,” Christabel draw}- cd. “You must tell your sto'ry to Lord Lit‘t‘imer before you sleep.” The burly man contrived to squeeze through the narrow oase- ment at length and stood breathâ€" ing loudly in the corridor. It was not a, pleasant sight; that met Christabel’s gaze-a big man with a. white, set face and rolling eyes and a stiff bandage about his throat. Evidently the intruder was utterly exhausted, for he dropped into a, chair and nursed his head between his hands. “I guess that it can’t be done,” Christabel said, drawl'mgly. “See, stranger 2” Reginald Henson fairly gasped. “Iâ€"I beg your pardon,” he stammered. “Oh, you’ve got the other one n17 safee Henson said. , “Now what has become of that fool?” he muttered. “Ah!” “But, my dear young lady, I beg of you, 1mpl-ore youâ€"w” “And what are you doing here?” he asked. “What do you expect to gain by taking part in a. fool’s trick like this? Did I not tell you never to Show your face here again? Get out of my sight. your presence an- gers me. Go, and never let me see you again. Regirmld, you were a fool to bring that. boy here» to- night. See him off the premises and fasten the door again.” “I am afraid you are going to have an unpleasant surprise,” Henson said. “Giddy,” Littimer said reproachâ€" fully. “You are so young, so boyâ€" ish, so buoyant, Reginald. What would your future constituents have said had they seen you creeping up the ivy? Egad, this would be a lovely story for one of those pryâ€" ing society papers. ‘The Philanâ€" thropist and the Picture.’ I’ve a good mind to send it myself.” Littimer glanced keenly at the speaker. All the laughter died out of his eyes; his face grew set and stem as Frank Littimer emerged into the light. “Nothing of the kind,” the wretched Henson cried. “I came to give you a, lesson, Lord Litti- mer. My idea was to get in through the window, steal the Rembrandt, and, when you had missed it, conâ€" fess the whole story. My charac- ter is safe.” Henson dropped into a. chair and groaned. Lard Littimer, elegant- ly &ttired in a suit of silk pajamas and carrying a. revblvcr, came coolly down the corridor. A curi- ous servant or two would have folâ€" lowed, but he waved them back. “And Why not ?” Christabel deâ€" manded. “I heard voices in the forecourt below and footsteps creeping along. I came into the corridor with my revolver. Pre- sently one of the men climbed up the ivy and got into the corridor. I covered him wnh my revolver and fairly drove him into a bedâ€" room and locked him in.” - “Then the other one came. He came to steal the Rembrandt.” Lit-timer sat down :1an laughed with pglrerenjoyment. “And wherrefi is the other part- ridge?” hefislged, Eresently. Cihristabel’s hail-(il-~ shookuas she tugged the rkeyiin the door. prudence had gone for the time. As he came down upon Christabel she raised her revolver and fired two shots in quick succession over Henson’s shoulder. The noise went echoing and reverberating ahong the corridor like a crankling of thunder. A door came open with a click, then a voice demanded to know what was wrong. “Miss Lee,” he said, with a faint, sarcastic emphasis, “and my dear friend and relative, Reginald Hen- son~Reginald, the future owner of Littimer Castle!” ‘ “Reginald, what does this I!) mean a "The young lady persisted in taking me for a. burglar,” he groanâ€" ed. “So you killed with both barâ€" rels?” Littimer cried. - Henson and Frahk Littimer were HE rising price of lumber has compelled the farmer to look for a suitable sub- stitute. Concreke, because of its cheapness, durabil- ity and the readiness with which it can be used for every farm purpese, has proven itself to be elxeaper than lumber and far more durâ€" able. Our Free Bookâ€"- fWhat the Farmer Can Do “3' With Concrete" DoYou Realizeé the Advan- tages of Concrete shows the farmer how he can do his own work without the aid of skilled mechanics. It dc- monstratcs the economy of Concrete construc- tion as compared with lumber, brick or stone. CANADA CEMENT CO.. Limited 30'35 National Bank Building. Montreal AIR.“ Jaw/41...»: \\\~~ ~ Haw Soncrete Aids Farm erg. Chris was up betimes in the morning and out on the terrace. \She felt no further uneasiness on the score of the disguise now. Chris smiled as she saw Henson lumber- ing towards her. “The rose blooms eafly here,” he said, gallantly. “Let me exâ€" press the hope that. you have quite forgiven me for the fright I gave you last night.” “Do you know, you remind me H . very much of somebody, he went on. "Lord Littimer tells me you are an Amerlcan.” , Chris replied that she was on- joying England for the first time. As she was speaking one of Littiâ€" mer’s bloodhounds came bounding up to her. _ “Do you like dogs, Mr. Henson '2” she asked. “I never was 111 Boston in my life,” Henson replied, hastily. The name seemed to render him uneasy. "Have you been in England very long?” She sat there letting hm: thoughts drift along idly. Reginald Henson would have felt less easy had he known what these thoughts were. Up to now that oily sooundrol hug~ ged himself with the delusion that nobody besides Frank Littimer and himself know that the second copy of “The Crimson Blind” band passâ€" ed into Bell’s possession. “I guess I don’t recollect the fright,” Chris drawled. “And if there was any fright I calculate it was on the other side.” “The Stars and Stripes,” Chris laughed. “Now, if you happen to know anything aboug Bostor_1â€"â€"” “Good night’s work,” she said to herself. “Now the danger is passed and now that I am away from that dreadful house I feel a different being. And I hardly need my disguiseâ€"even at this moment I believe that Enid would not re- cognize me. Well, here I am, and I don’t fancy that anybody will recognize Christabel Lee and Chris Henson for one and the same per- disappearing in,the direction of the staircase. “I don’t fancy I shall care very much for your distinguished friend Reginald Henson,” Christabcl said. Littimer smiled.~ “A slimy, fawning hound,” he Whispered. “And the best of it is that he imagines that I hold the highest regard for him. Good- night." A little later, and Christabel sat in her room. ' CHAPTER XXII. It shows how Concrete can be used to adâ€" vantage on the {arm in the construction of almost every practical minty. Send for this book 10-day. You’ll find it in- tensely interesting, even it you don‘t intend to bulk] for a while. It contains much useful Inurmatlon that will [mt you in the way of saving money. Among the subjects treated are: Barns, Dam», Ponce Posts, Feedtng Hun. Hmhln: Posts, Root Ceilara, Silos, Stables. Sznsra, Stalls, “M n Troughs, Waiksp W.” Curbs, and so forth. CODV 01“] Influenza, inkâ€"eye, e imtic, dis'cemper and all nose and throat cues cure , and an ot en, no mane:- how “ex aged,” hps‘h'om 5 any of “one “Mass with SPOHN’S LI 131 BISTEWI‘ - The. to at: dons one- can u case. One -ccnt bottle m ‘ h N do 50. Best thin for brood mares. Acts on the blood. I!“ a. bottle. N and l a done: bottles. Druggbsts and “Mun-a Distributorsâ€"ALL WHOLESALE DRUGGISTS. SPOIN HEIICAL C6" Chow-Its. Goshen. [Mafia W77 7 “I don’t think I should do thal ” Henson said, respectfully. ' “I! shovid suffer Bell to come. As a Christian 1 should deem it my duty to do so. There is always a chance â€"â€"a chance that we have misjudgd a man on falseevidence. “I should see him, my lord; oh. yes, I should most undoubtedly in him.” “And so should I,” Chris pub ii, swiftly. “In the presence of so much good- ness and beauty I feel quite 1060,” he said. “Very well, Henson, PH Littimer strode up, with a in on his face and a telegram in hand. “It is just a little strange Wt you should mention his name has, especially after what had happen~ ed last night. Of course you hue heard that the Rembrandt ptht was stolen once?" “Certainly,” she/repliod{ “Well, the man who stole Rembrandt was Dr. Hatherly But here comes Littimer in one .3 his moods. He apkaars to be am about something. " “He will probably reach Mom- ton Station by the ten o’clock brat. I’ll send a “groom to meet the it” with a letter. When Bell has raid that letter he will not come berm” 3563 “Think of the audacity,” he s I . “Hatherly Bell has wired that) will be here some time affer (it- Her.” “Good heavens!” Henson bunt out. “1â€"1 mean, what calm} impudencc !” “And when does Dr. Bel wr- rive’l’i Henson asked. atop: go‘sâ€"éfircnru‘col‘ia.rba§i IS. throat and lunds - - o 25 net. “We are geing to ‘ 5 friends, that doggie and I,’"’" '9 said, gently. “And I deli”: “a you any the better, Mr. Ream, because you don’t like dogs they don’t like you. Dogs am I: better judges of character thamfpu» imagine. Dr. Bell saysâ€"J" “DIX Hatherly Bell,” she sag. “He used to be a. famous man fore he fell into disgrace my something or another. I heard m lecture on the animal instinqb *1 Boston once, and he saidâ€"bub as you don’t care for dogs it doesn’t matter what he said.” “I loathe them, ” mmn growled. “What Dr. Bell 7” Henson maqdcdtfiswriftly. '3. Bell.” (To be continued.)

Powered by / Alimenté par VITA Toolkit
Privacy Policy