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\m0mf'0<nfi->' •â- â- jw.un""-.**-*-^"*-" The Price Of Liberty OR, A MIDNIGHT CALL CHAPTER XLVIII. becomes obvious. The American Lord Liltiuier was greatly interest- ' didn't wnnl a ciK"'" case at «"• ed in all that Chris had to say. 'ITio 'Biit ho »uh8e(iuently purchased the whole Htoiy was confided to him a(-'ono returned to l^ockhart's shop, ter dinner." Over his coffee on thui "Thai remark does not siigge.st I .._ 1 ^^ The American Van sug- terraie he olTered many shrewd gostions. "'i'hore is one thing wherein you have made a mistake," he said. "A*d that is in j-our idea that lien- son changed those cigar-cases after Miss Galea laid your votive offering on St«el'H doorstep." "How ol.se could it bo done?" Chris said. "My dear, the thing is fjuito ob- vious. You have already told me that Hanson was quile aware what you were going to do â€" at least that ho knew you were going to consult Steel. Also he knew that you were your usiial acumen., was preparing tlie ground for Snook to purchase with a view to a subsequent exchange. You have not fully grasped the vilencss of this plot yet. 1 went to IjOcUhart's and suc- ceeded in discovering that the pur- chaser of the returned case was a tall American, quite of the pattern I ex- pected, 'l^en I managed to get on to the trail at the Metropole here. Thoy recollected when I could des- ciibe the man; they also recollected the largeness of his tips. Then 1 traced my man to Ihe Lion at Moreton Wells, where he had ob- going to make Hleel a present, and | viously gone to see Koginald Ilenson. by a little judicious eavesdropping â-  From the Lion our friend went to ho contrived to glean all about the cigar-caae. The fellow has already admitted to your sister that he lis- tened. How long was that before you bought the cigar-caae?" "I should nay it might have been a week. Wo had inquiries to make, you know. In the first instance we never dreamt of oflcring Mr. Steel money. I blush to think of that folly." "Well, bluah a little later on when you ha\e more time. Then Hcnson had a week to work out his little scheme. He knows all about the cigarcase; be knows whore it is go- ing to be bought. Then he goes to Ijockhart's and purchases some trido in the shape of a cigar-case; he has it packed up, yellow siring and all. : soma trout-Hies behind a cloud This is his dummy. By keeping his cigarette smoke. oyes open he gets the chance he is, "Thought you had gone to Moreton waiting for. Kuth Oatcs hadn't the! Wells." he said. "15cen at the lele- faint((st idea that he knew anything < phono again? A pretty nice hill I when .she left that case the day she | shall have to pay for all those long bought it within reach of Henaon. | mcssaijes of yours." He gits hor out of the way for a; "Mr. Steel pays this time," Chris minute or two, he unties the parcel, ] gajd, gaily. ' He has ju.st given me the Uoyal at Scarsdale Sands, where ho is staying at present." "Under the name of John Smith?" "I .suppose so, seeing that all the inquiries under that name were suc- cessful. If you would like me to come up and interview the man for you " "I should like you to do nothing of the kind," Chris said. "You are more u.seful in Brighton, and I am going to interview Mr. John Smith Kawlins for myself. Cood-bye. Just one moment. For the next few days my address will be the Itoyal Hotel Scar.sdale Sands." Chris countermanded the dog-carl she had ordered and rei>aired to the library, where I.ittifner was tying â-  ' of and places the Van Sneck case in it. No, liy .Jove, he needn't have bought anything from Lockharl's at all. I only thought of that to account for the yellow siring and the stamped paper that Lockhart's people use. He lir.st takes one case out of thoi some information that obviates the ncces.sity of going into the town. My dear uncle, you want a change. You look tired and languid " '•l!e|>re^sion of spirits and a disin- clination to exercise after food. Also „ morbid craving for .seven to eight parrel and replacea it with another, I |,|^,|,pj,. f^ig^p every night. What's the and there you are. Yofi may depen(l|jm|g game?" upon it that was the way in whichi "jjra^i^ing air, " Chris laughed. It was done." '"Lord Lillimer and his seA'etary, Miss 1 -ee, are going to spend a few days at Scarsdale Hands, Royal Hotel, to recuperate after their liter- ary )al)ors." "The air here Ijcing so poor and enervating," Littimer said, cynically. "In other words, I suppose you have traced Kawlins to Scarsdale Sands?" "How clover you are," said Chris, admiringly. "Walcn's American and Lockhiirt's American, with the mod- e.st p.seudonym of John Smith, are what Mrs. Mnlaprop would call three Hingle gentlemen rolled into one. We are going to make the acquaintance of John Smith Uawlins." "Oh, indeed, and when do we start, may I usk?" Chris resiiondod coolly that she lio])ud to gel away in the course of the day. With a great show of vir- tuois resignation Lord Littimer con- sented. "1 have always been the Jest of fortune," ho said, plaintively; "but I never expected to bo dragged all over the place at my time of life by a Kiel who is anxious to make me ivcquainled with the choicest hlaek- g'arrlisni in the kingdom. I leave my happy home, my cook, and my cellar for at least a week of hotel living. Woll, one can only die once." Chris bustled away to make the necessary arrangements. Some few hours later Lord Littimer was look- ing out from hir, Itixiirious private sitting-room with the assumption of being a martyr. He and t^hris wore iliessod for dinner; they were waiting for the bell to summon them to the I dining-room. When they got down j at length they foimd quite a largo i nuiMl)er of gue.sts already seated llhe many small tables. "Your man here?" Littimor asked, languidly. (!hris inilicoted two people seated In a v.idow opposite. "Thei-e!" she whisju'red. There ho ' i.i. .\nd what a pretty girl with 1 him!" The more Chris thought over the matter the more certain she felt that such was the case. Like most zpjiari ntly wonderful things, the ex- planation was absurdly simple. A conjurer's most marvellous tricks are generally the easiest. "How foolish of us not to have though of this before," Chris said, tlioug-litfulb . ".At any rate, we know all about it now. And we know who bought the cigar-case so promptly returned to Lockhart's by llen.son. I should like to see this Rawlin»." "You have got to find him first," said Littimer. "I'm going Into Moreton Wells again to-morrow to make inquiries," aai'l Chris. But sho was saved the trouble. Once more the ever-blessed telephone stood her in good stead. She was just on the point of starting for M<.reton Wells when Steel called hor up. Chris recognised him with a thrill of eager pleasure. "You need not he afraid." she snid. "Yon con speaU quite freely. How is Van Sneck?" "\'ory <|U(!er," David responded. "Hell hoi>ed to have operatoil upon him before this, l)ul such a course has not b.'en ileomed quite prurient. The dav after to-morrow it will lie, 1 exiHJCt. Ilenson has found out where Von Sneck is." "Indeed, llaa ho been to soo you?" "lie has been hero more than once on all kinils of ingenious pretences. Hut I didn't call you u'l to tell you this We have been making incpiirios at Walen's, Marhiy and myself. The tiini' has come now to lot Marley bohinii the scenes a bit." â- Hill Walen's people know anything about the tall American?" ^â- Oh, yes. A tall American with a thin hfeard and a fain' Hii;j;gest i<m of sniall-pox eallid about a week lieforo the great adventure, and asked to see some gun-metal diamond-mounted rii4;nr-casesâ€" like the one in Lock- harl's window." â- â- I'id ho really voluntc>cr that re- mark?" "Ho did, saying also that Lock- hart's wore too doar. Walen's hadn't got whot ho wanted, but they pro- mised to get some cases out of stock, which meant that thay would go to and of di.stlnclly distinguished ap- cxpeciation. the same wholi*«Ble house as Lock- poaiance. Littimer was fain to ad- j ••! fjncerelv that more education seldom given; but it seems to have done so in yon- der case. And how fond they seem to be of one another! Depend upon it. Chris, whatever that man may bo his daughter knows nothing of it. And yetj you tell me that the poli«j "Well, never mind the police, now. We can get Mr. Steel to toll Marley all about 'John Smith' if we can't contrive to force his hand without. But with that pretty girl before my eyes I shouldn't like to do anything harsh. Up till now I have always pictured the typical educated scoun- drel a.", h man who was utterly de- voiil of feelings of any kind." Dinner proceeded quietly enough, Chris having eyes for hardly any- thing else beyond the couple in the window. She rose presently, with a little gasp, aiid ha.">tily lifted a tan- kard of iced water from the table. The girl opposite hor had turned pale and her dark head had drooped forward. "I hojie it is not serious," said Chris. "Drink a little of this; it is iced." "And they told me they had no ice In the houso," the man Rawlins mut- tered. "A little of this, Grace. It is one of her old fainting fits. Ah, that is better." The man Uawlins spoke with the tendercsl solicitude. The look of positive relief on his face as his daughter smiled at him told of a deep devotion and alTection for the girl. Chris, looking on, was wonder- ing vaguely whether or not she had made a mistake. "Lord Littimer obtained our ice," she said. "I'ray keep this. Oh, yes, that is Lord Littimer over there. I am his secretary." Littimer strolled across himself and murmured his condolences. A little time later and the four of them were outside in the veranda taking ices together. Rawlins might ho.ve been, and no doubt was, a finished scoun- drel, bub there was no question as to his fascinating manner and his brilliant qualities as a conversationa- list. A man of nerve, loo, and full of resources. All the same, Litti- mer was asking himself and wonder- ing who the man really wa-s. By birth he must have been a gentle- man, Littimer did not doubt for a moment. But there was one soft spot in the man, and that was his love for his daughter. For her sake he had been travelling all over the world for years; for years he had despaired of seeing her live to womanhood. But she was gradually growing belter: indeed, if she had not walked bo rar to-day nothing woulel have happened. All the time that Rawlins was talk- ing his eyes were resting tenderly on his daughter. The hard, steely look seemed to have gone out of them altogether. Altogether a charming and many- sided rascal, Littimer thought. He was fond, as he called it, of collect- ing types of humanity, and here was a new and fascinating specimen. The two men talked together till long after dark, and llawlins never be- tra.ved himself. He might have been an .\mbassador or Cabinet Minister unbending after a long period of heavy labor. Meanwhile Chris had drawn Grace Rawlins apart from the others. The girl was quiet and self-contained, but evidently a lady. She seemed to have but few enthusiasms, but one of them was for her father. He was the most wonderful man in the world tht most kind and considerate. He was very rich; Intleed, it was a good thing, or slie would never have been able to see so much of the world, lie had given up nearly the whole of hia life to her, and now she' was nearly as strong as other girls. Chris listened in a dazed, confused kind of wa.v. She had not expected anything fike this; and when did Uuwlins (Ind time for those brilliant predatory KchemoJi that she had heard of? "Well, what do you think of them?" Littimer asked, when at length he and (.'hris were alone. "I suppose it isn't possible that you and I have made a mistake?" "I'm afraid not," Chris said, half sadly. "But what a strange ca.se al- together." "I'nsaing strange. I'll go bail that that man is born and bred a gentlo- inan; and, what is more, he is no more of an American than 1 am. I ke|>t on forgetting from timo to time what he was and taking him for one of our own class. .\nd, tinal- ly. I capped my folly by asking him at ' to bring his daughter for a drive to- morrow anil a lunch on the Cap- stone. Whot do you think of that?" "Splendid," (^hris said, coolly. "Nothing could ho belter. You will be gooif enough to oxevcine all your I)ower8 of fascination on Miss Raw- lins to-morrow, and leave her father to me. I thought of a littli 35TH ANNUAL REPORT OF The Mutual Life ASSURANCE CO., of Canada, FOR THE YEAR 1904. n , INCOME. rremlum* $1,373,304 09 Intervst and rents aSl 944 21 $1,735,308 90 AS.SKTS. Uortfngos llebeiituros and Bonds . Loans on Policies Loana on Stoclts .'..' Liens on Policies " Meal E.stftte Uaili in Haiilts Jaal) at lleiid Office ... .'.'.' Uuo uiid Deforred Premi- ums (not) Iniarsst due and accrued $3,760,617 53 :3, 897, 400 42 888,492 41 7,000 00 81,181 25 68,285 53 136,738 03 4.317 18 266,713 94 159,718 16 $8,220,580 45 DI.SnURSEMENTS. _^, ,^ Death Claims $ •Ja0,304 80 Miiti:iod Kodowinenta Purcliasud Policies Sur:)Iua Annuities ' Expenses, Taxes, etc balauce 160,053 00 53,394 54 83.183 40 8,679 90 300,807 00 899,886 56 $1,725,303 90 Ucsorve cent . Reserve I.I.ARIT.ITrEH. 3^ and 3 par $7,355,172 24 on lapsed Polici- es liable to receive or surrender Deatli Claims unadjusted Present value of Death Claims payahle iu it;- stulmcnts Premiums paJd in advance Amount due for medical ieea Credit Ledger naloncoa Net surplus over all lla- bllitiee on Company'* Valuation Standard .... 1.967 10 28,006 00 31.122 83 10,023 96 5,847 50 11,257 96 772,072 87 $8,330.5 30 45 tt,Ma,4N.n NatSurplu* ovar alt Liabilities on ajvern.-nsnt Standard af Valuation Audited and fotmd correct. J. M. .SCULLY, F.C.A., Auditor. GEO. WFXJPJNAST, Manager. DIRECTORS' REPORT. Your Directors have pleasure in submitting their 35th Annual Report showing the transactions for the year, and the Financial standing of thie Company as at December 31st, 1904. The bu.s-iness of 1904 was moat gratifying in all respects, large gains having been made iu Income, Aa- sets and Surplus. INSUHANCK ACCOUNT.â€" The volume of new business exceeds that of any former year, being 8,452 Policies for $.5,048,163, all of which, ex- cept $30,000, was written within the Dominion. 'I'lio total assurance now in force is $40,47'>,970..">3 under 27,742 policies, the net addition for tho year being $2,889,119. While many of our n.ative Companies are seeking business abroad, scmie of them in distant parts of the world, it ia thought by our Directors that good (Canadian business is preferable to foreign business, which is secured with less certainty as to its quality, and at excessive cost. INCOMIO.â€" The total income was $1,725,308.90, being $1,373,304.69 for premiums, and $351,944.21 for interest. 'Ihe gain over 1908 was $104.288. .S7. 'DISBUUSEMKNTS.â€" The payments to Policyholders amounted to $524,615.34. and consisted of Death Claims, $220,304.50; Kndowmcnts, $160,053; Purcha.spd I'olicios, $512,394.54; Surplus, $83,183.40, and An- nuities, $8,679.90. The claims by death were exceptionally light, l>oing $51,404 less then la.st year, and only 41 per cent, of the amount expected. THE EXPBNSr;.S AND TAXES were $300,80?, being 17.4 jjer cent, of the total income, or about 1 per cent, less than in 1903. AS.S.ETS.â€" The 'ash assets are $7,794,098.35. and the total assets $8,220,530.45, showing gains of $905,450. 05 and $937,372.05, respec- tively. The funds .are being invested in the same classes of securities a3 heretofore, principally in Mortgage loans on farms and city proptsrties. Bonds and Municipal Debentures. The latter are talien into account at their book value or cost, which is considerably below their miairl'eb value. The demand for money was active during the year, at better rates thaa< for some years past, resulting in a slight advance in tho rate of inters est earned, viz., 5.09 per cent. Payments on Mortgages for interest an<i instalments of firincipal were well met, though in the case of our Mani- toba loans they were not quite as satisfactory as in former years, duo to the partial failure of the wheat crop. Tho interest and rents overdue at tho close of the year were but a small portion of the receipts, being only $13,740.19. most of which has since been paid. LIABILITIES. â€" Tho liabilities were again computed on the Comlbined ICtperience Table with 4 par cent, interest for all business up to January 1st, 1900. Prom that data to January 1st, 1903, on the Institute of Actuaries'' Table with 3i per cent., and thereafter on the same Table with 3 per cent. SURPLUS. â€" After making provision for all liabilities the surplus on our own standaTd is $772,072.87, being an increase of $170,920.20 over 1903, and this after distributing amongst Policyholders !(!83, 183.40. On the Governiment standard of reserves, namely, 4J per cent, for business to Jnnuary 1st. 1900. and 34 per cent, thereafter, our Surplus Is $1,049,- 400.71. The eavnin.gs for the year were $254,103.60. On behalf of the Hoard. ROBERT MBLVIN, President. The various reports havinjf been adopted, the retiring directors. Right Hon. ."^Ir Wilfrid Laurier, A. Hoskin, Esq.. K.C.. Hon. 5tr. Justice Glar- row and K. I'. Clement, Esq., K.C., were imanimously ro-electod. After a number of able and thoughtful addresses had been made by members of the Board, prominent Policyholders, the Manager, tho agents and others, the meeting adjourned. The Directors met .subsequently and re-elected Mr. Robert Melvin Pre- sident; Mr. Alfred Hoskin, K.C.. First Vice-President; and tho Hon. Mr. Justice Rrltton, .Second Vice-President of the Companv for the ensuing year. (Booklets containing ftiU report, comprising lists of death and en- dowment claims paid, of securities held, aud other interestinc: and in- structive particulars are beinfj issued and will in due couise be distribu- ted among policyholders and intending Insurants.) Waterloo. March 2, 1905. W. H. RIDDELL. Sacrelary. CHAPTER \1,IX. SENTENCE SERMONS, No passion, no power. Grip is better than graft. Love Increases by latior. It is the goals wc miss that make US. You cannot convince without con- viction. Too mun.v read "Charily wecpeth long." Character i.s 8imi>lv the product of all oin- choices. The «itt of the gab Will not do plan (o-ithr worit of the grace of Ood. hart and gt* some similar casen. As a matter of fact, one of Walen's aSfil.'.laniR was sent round to study th<? caB« in Lockhart's window. 'I'ha ra.s(« were procured on tho chance of a snle, hut th<> American never turn- ei\ uj) again. No notice wbs taken of this, lier.Bii.so such things often happen to shopkeepers." ".\nd this was about a week b«- fiue tho ninht of the groat adTen- turo?" "Nes. Wait a bit. I have not night which I believe will S'icceed; A imnn often shows his wisdom by admirably. At lir.st I expected to j keeping his wit to him.sclf. i have to carry mutters with a high j The music of heaveJi iloes not de- LittlmiT |iut up I i:i glass and gtvz- , jmnti, htit now I am going to Kel'pm-d on tlie misery oi earth, od with apparent vacancy In tho dir- Mr.iia^vUns through his daughter. I| ^he long winded pruver often goes cction of the window. He saw a shall kii .w all 1 want to by t o-mor- L,. j t h a brok.-n wintV.i pi-ac-tico. tall man with a grey beard and hair ,„.,v night." , I It takes more than ii.olaRsos OA the a man most immaculately dressed; ;i. timer smiled at this .sanguine ,j|,^ ,^j „,„^p j,^„,,^. .„ ^^^ ^^^^^ . .,, ., u : riotv Is not a jMMumce paid "" nope you will, ho' mil that he would have taken htm | ^i^id drily. "But 1 doubt it very i for a gentloman under any cirrum- much, indei'd. You have one of th stances. In manner, stvlu and speech i ri,,verest men In lOurope to deal with ho left nothing to be de-irod. "That chap has a fortune in his face and accent, " Littimer said. "'Pon my word, he is a chunce ac- qunintance that one woiilrl nsk to dinnar wit hunt tho sligluwt hesita- tion. And tl.8 girl " "Is his daughter," ('hris said. The llkness is very strong Oood-niglit." ('I'o ho Continued.) !!rarth to purcha*» property h<avon. 1 Lies may be the poOiVst bona ihn\e.. hut they nlwii.vs come to roost. The only one who live*! above all sin was the one wly> lived for all 8 np'rs. we honiR men and women on whom thoy can rely for several s'luaio inches" if cu- ticle when the nctossity arises. These patients, .<f one may call them so. are l)v no ntcans among tho poor and destitute. 'It is," quito llnishod .yet. Now, once I had ' ningnlarly i.iltimtr admitted. 5,r,'tly, rol'med ,nirl. '•A with "Itro'.flev must be get'.iiii,' .i'h. Ilj told l'orroii(.''is he haiin'l an;'!:!'! loss than a S-'ii' note." â- â€¢That's tl simple truth. A i oniiy it Ic.'^R thnn a i'.'j''> note on<l Hrok*- ascertained thi.n, an iniporlanl fait , i|r ile I'e giend air. It is nn air ley hssn't even got t!ial.' TKAl FIC IN HIMAV SKIS. 'I hi re is at the pr<'-!<>nt lime qu'to a ri'Ki:lnr IrHflic in th'j sellinjf .ind 111!-, iiiif of h^ntinn nkin Severn! of Ih,' London h<>st«il.»!s have on their 111 oHs the names md aildresses of MUCH MORE POWBUFUL. Professor Smith was once kictui-ing on natural philosophy, and in tha course of his experiments he intro- duced a most powerful magnet, with which he attracted a block of iron from a distance of 2ft. "Can any of you conceive u griiat- or attractive power? demanded tha lecturer, with an air of triumph. "I can," answered a voice from tha audience. "Not a natural ternvftrial object?" "Vas, indeod." The lecturer, somewhat pu7,zlad, challenged the man who had spokim to n<\me the article. Thi-n up rose old .lohnny Sowerliy. Said he: "1 will give you furls, j profes.sor, and you can judge for youi-self. "When I was a youi^; man, thera was a little piece of natural magncit done lip In a neat rot ton dress as was called BoLsy Mtaila. She could draw mo fourteen miles on Sunday, over ploughed land, no matt^ what wind or weal hor there was. Thera was no lesislin' her. 'Hint mairneft o' yonrn i<i prettj good. but It won't drnw sii far as lletsy Maiial" I- *• • i'