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About Eugene daily guard. (Eugene, Or.) 1904-1924 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 1908)
thi: i:i -cjkxk n.ii.VGi i;i. i itnnv, vv.r.ni why 7, tons The WtP In ike Jk - . ,0 "'o fTS v j- y & icoz)2 Bv ANNA KATHARINE GREEN. inilnnaire Htby." "The Filiflree Bnl'." "Th Author " .... fhf Anicllivir Bn." Kr (0,YRlCHT. lBOfl. THE BOD BS-M E R RI LL COMPANY. . .1- I...,." mr-clv, l" think, to the soil base :l whvii Mr. re seated. With jw. m.li.l.n.ee In the ad- fift Green has o. f , ... intricacv M 0 H ric mystery is Zrly traveled through rmcy of no professional c . . 1... -wind woman , ter, enisCv 1:1 the fono of the suspects. J . . ,.111-. rmi nnfh or ,c'r ;,e 1 . -t ji innrinn 'Wefsi3ric3 of mystery. CUAl'TEH I. OS perhaps the plainest girl lc the room Hint night. I was il the happiest -ni t 1 .'flock. Then my whole world .J or Ot lensi suauifn .... L why and ho I am about to r made for love. Thin I had -ii to mvself, very often of late. 1 im too diminutive. In face 'm onbeautiful for me to cherish atiwi of this nature, inueeu diie.er entered Into my pian 01 at evinced by the nurse's U I tad Just gained after tbrce o( hard study and severe tram- U not made for love. But if I y. had 1 been elf ted with lielgnt, Ijrtry of fcatuse or even n-ltb that xtof expression wnicn redeems KB save those which savor or J$, I Knew wen wnose eye i tore chosen to please, wliose lioald have hit proud to win. tam-Mse came with a rush to IB did I say heart? I should aid understanding, which Is .j very different when at the it first dance 1 looked up from Sof the bevy of girls by whom sreunded and saw Anson Hu la figure emerging from that i the hall where our host and hstjod to receive their guests. ws roaming hither and th'.th a manner was both eager and ijt Whom wai.be seeking? eeof the many bright and viva- WOrld I euvled less. Bearch for another woman, and. eoi tiding In his houesty, trusting entirely to his faith, I allowed the plans and purposes of years to vanish In the glamour or nils new Joy anil spoke the i word which lluked us together 1m a bond which half an hour before I bad never dreamed would unite me to uuv ! man. Ills Impassioned "mine, mine!" filled my cup to overflowing. Something of . the ecstasy of living entered my soul, which ill spite of nil I have suffered ! since recreated the world for me and made all that went I ei'ore but the pro- lui'.e to tne now life, the new joy. elL I was happy, happy perhaps too nappy! As the conserva'tory "filled an 1 we passed back Into the adjoining room tho glimpse I caught of myself In one of the mirrors startled tne Into thinking so, for bad It not been for t It., odd color of my dress and the unique way in which I wore my hair that night I should not have recognized the beaming girl who faced me so naively from the depths of the responsive glass. Can ona' be too happy? I do not know. 1 know that one can be too per plexed, too burdened and too sad. Thus far I have spoken only of my self In connection with the evening's elaborate function; but, thoush enti tled by my old Dutch blood to a cer tain social consideration which I am happy to say never failed me, I even In this hour of supreme satisfaction attracted very little attention and awoke small comment. There was an other woman present better calculated to do t.'iis a fair woman, lar.Te and cf a bountiful presence, nmi:s:on:eJ to coniuc.;t and gifted with the power of currying off her vicioiies wi:h a cer tain lazy grace Irresistibly fascinating to the ordinary man; a gorgeously ap pareled woman, with a diamond on her breast too vivid lor most women, al most too vivid for her. I noticed thlsv diamond early In the crcnlus, and then I noticed her. She was not aj line as the diamond, but she was very line, and had I been In a less ecstatic fraiui of mind I might have envied the hom age she received from all the men, not excepting him upon whose arm I lean ed.. Later there was no one In tbo we were happj "." iHvsu .it III .i"aud and I - i-ni. v.-o were d!s .. , nuerc-itm; only to s when Mr. Luiraml int.ri-..'t.i,.i clare: "You are ib. u-...,.. an 1 want, you and .you onlv. And L want yu . when llo .ou muk 5'"'tV,au nmrr)' mc? Within a week- nid my look stop him? I was star tied. I had heard no Incoherent phrase from him before. s "A week!" I remonstrated. "We take more time than that to lit ourselves for a Journey or some trnnslent pleasure. I hardly renllze my engagement yet." "You have not been thinking of It for those Inst two months ns 1 have." "No," I replied demurely, forgetting everything else In my deiight at this admission. "Nor are you a nomad among clubs ! anil restaurants." "No. I have a home." "Nor do you love me as deeply as 1 slo you." Tills I .thought open t: argument. . I "The home you speak of is a luxuri ous one, ui- continue. . "I rsmmt ..f. Do you expect me east be might bava civ coquette's fusel- lny w-.iy to u'dltig jn- "f aefjiK'.lnt- 1 li ipill-o bull suopi".' i their t. eat tOWl.ld this evening at been blh d to a USUI n. ,- 1 w.is .bus doubly e!i:a'-re.l In I:s!f iie.: t-. i:.y lover's words and in wau-:i-Ing I lie v::rlous gentlemen who went up and down the steps when u former partner advanced and reminded me that 1 had promised him a waits, l.oath to leave Mr. liurand, yet seeing no n ay of excusing myself to Sir. l'ox, I cast an appealing glance at the for mer and was greatly chagrined to And him already ou bis feet. x i-.njoy your iinuco, ue cneu. "1 . M,ui with an nnxletv I did not stop pave a word to say to Mrs. Falrbroth- tn ,,(,,., , ,., er, and was gone before my new . llow swaying from side to side In ir partner had taken me on Ms ami. , r,prei!W6 excitement, when suddenlv W as Mrs. Falrbrother the lady with everything swam before me, and I fell the diamond? Yes. As I turned to In a swoon to the floor, enter the parlor with my partner I; some one had shouted aloud: caught a glimpse of Mr. Durand's tall "Mrs. Falrbn.ther has been murdered ui-.iimug iran u.u uT nnil her diamond stolen! Lock th e .i.ter jr:.m.-i t ' a.eeve. A i:;: ii a v. li:-"- w;: s f.:;:i;.t from It in a iv. h. r...,l news wis in bis f.i.v, and as Ks eyes en countered those of Mr. Kamsdetl. w!io was advancing hurriedly t meet him, be plnuized down the steps with n cry which drew n crowd about the two in an Instant What was It? What had happened? you iik about mo, for he turned al- osuatly our way. Cut which t At I knew. I remembered at raft I lei', r.-.ct ul::i lirst, at S I h:id icc:i t!m inauv ii a Io-o!y girl. Jl rivotio::s, and she :.;. d at E)::eat ;:t my elbx.v. In her hr l::re. the natrral !:::! Ji f bis jrifts eii.l siriki-jg per- t: 1 C3atiu::wl to va!c!i 1 a see his countenance light nut recognition she could not firelilm. And I was right. In Kaut It did, and with a ratliere was no mistaking. Rut 8 common to the human hrnrt .rnitb, such e::nrensH-o. i 6 features. How handsome film looli. how dlstlnmUhi.il Il doea this mean? He has " sperry-pnssed her with 1 Ull a frlpnillr n.l..j i to me, singling U)c outi orfer. knilWoB Miss Sperry, but ""'. JViin mnra tlit i mill. 13 IIVI- 3it I tOok Ills urn, l . A dimmer than I thought.' It. '.'Kui except ins '"-! to change the world 1 foot that I .1,, . ..... i. u L!!I w small, with he drawn nwnv ni. i -"Itiiwtlug nothing, till I l0"e wi,h In tl-.e it .... .J r 11:0 eohservatorv, biro:) of i:,,,. i 4 " to the 8,,T.e we had i! &e bromht r- i. ..... 'i-..! ..-: null Jof opalescent light, and s.5, i ' " vn. in an- jric .i.i ... 1 lnj "- seized til,1""' "Meat love, came .sMusiipa. -4M " If 'o, then life .. na..i """r as i T T '1n,,,,,-T fthe r ,0r-0i,(,MK,nt of j7"inr n.l plctur- U5tt ""insurious a city i"- Trnth to ty.. 1,1 hl manner 1 nelthor feverish 'Uf - ! '., ' fie flr.t ""1 tfjfr ie first. a! self. - V-,', v "tner, i breast. admired have I "J1 r". v...- "J I. il.,,'-.'-,, i,, . ,"- mm njv ( The bull was a prlyato and very ele gant one. There were some notable guests. One "gentleman In particular was pointed or.t to me hs an llng'ish nnui of great distinction and political importance. 1 thought him a very In teresting r. an for his years, but odd and a triile self centored. Though greatly courted, be seemed strangely restless under the fire of eyc3 to which lie was constantly subjected and only happy when free to use his own in con templation of the scene about him. IIad""I been less absorbed In my own happiness I might have noted sooner than I did that this contemplation was confined to such groups as gathered about the lady with the diamond. But this I failed to observe at the time, and consequently was much surprised to come upon him at the end of one of the dances talking with this lndy In an anlmnted and courtly manner totally opposed to the apathy, amounting to boredom, with which he had hitherto met all advances. Yet It was not admiration for her person which be . openly displayed. During the whole time he stood there his eyes seldom rose to her face. They lingered mainly and this was what aroused my curiosity on the great fan of ostrich plumes which this opulent beauty held against her breast. Was he uc3lrous of seeing the great dia mond she thus unconsciously (or was it consciously) shielded from his gaze? It was possible, for, ns I continued to note him, be suddenly bent toward her and as quickly raised himself again with a look which was quite Inex plicable to me. The lady bad shifted her fan n moment, and his eyes had fallen on the gem. The next thing I recall with any deflnltetiess was a tete-a-tete conversa tion which I 1ie!d wfth my lover on a certain yellow divan at the end of one of the halls- To the right of this dh-an rose a cur tnlned recess, highly sueirestlvo of ro mance, called "the alcove." As this al cove figures prominently In my story, I will pause here to describe It. It was originally Intended to contain fer you Its e.mal to:" I was i:i'!I :ll:.ut. "You l;:iw that I do not. Fhall. 1, who deliberately chose a nurse's life when an Indulgent uncle's heart and home were open to me. shrink from braving poverty with. the man I love? ...... .. . i e win oegin ns simply ns please" "No," he peremptorily pur In, yet with a certain hesitancy which seemed to speak of doubts he hardly acknowl edged to himself, "I will not ninrrv I to wear jewels worth you if I must expose you to privation ; uinn's fortune. or to tne genteel poverty I hate. I love you more than you realize and wish to make your life a happy one. I cannot give you all you have lieen accustomed to In your rich uncle's house, but If matters prosper wlth-me. If the chance 1 have built on succeeds anil It will fall or succeed tonight you will have those comforts which love will height en Into luxuries and and" behind the sage green cuMalns. "Who Is Mrs. Knlrbrother?" I in quired of Mr. Fox ut tho end of the dance. Mr. l'ox, who Is one of society's perenuial beaux, knows everybody. ".Sbo is well, she was Abner Fair brother's wife. You know Fnlrbrotber. the millionaire who built that curious structure qji F.lglity-sixth street. At prevent they are living apart an ami cable understanding, I believe. Her diamond makes her conspicuous. It Is one of the most remarkable stones In New York, perhaps in the United States. Have you observed It?" "Yes that Is, at a distance. Do you think her very handsome?" "Mrs. Falrbrotber? She's called so, but she's not my style." Here he gave me n killing glance. "I admire women of mind and heart. They do not need an ordinary 1 doors!" I ciiAVTn: n. Ml'ST have remained Insensible for many minutes, for when I returned to full consciousness the supper room was enintv and the -Jn) guesis 1 had left seat ed at table were gathered In agl i.iieii Kroups anout tne nail. This was what I lirst noted. Not till afterward Old I realize my own situation. 1 was lying on a couch In a remote corner of this same hall, and beside me, but not looking at me, stood my lover, Mr. Dnrand. I How be camo to know my state and j find mo In the general disturbance I I did not stop to Inquire. It was enough j for me nt that moment to look up and I see him so near. Indeed, the relief was j so great, the sense of his protection so comfortlug. thnt I Involuntarily stretch . .... u u,c io .e,e ,,,, baU f(l, tl) nttrnet , ,t thM none too desirable partner. , tlo ,.,. tn , flimr . , . "I.pt lis f-o h.mlr li.trt tho I.-... it hnll I . . . . . s I urged. "The ceaseless whirl of these dancers Is making me dizzy." With the ease of a gallant luau ho took me on his arm, and soon we were promenading ngaln In the direction of the alcove. A passing glimpse of Its In terior was afforded nie ns we turned front of the yel- itb the diamond thair ou my face. Following bis gaze, i was there. A fold of the superb I discovered what had instructed his l'';ik velvet she wore protruded across lai'.y wll!i the diamond I 11,0 K"!' :u"-e by the half drawa cur j lie was becoming Incoherent and to retrace our steps In f this time with hlsyei fixed elsewhere I 1nv divan. The lndy wb attention. T was approaching us on her way to the alcove. She was accompanied by two gentlemen, both strangers to me, and her head, sparkling with brilliants, was turning from one to the other with an indolent grace. I was not sur prised that the man at my side quiv ered and made a start ns If to rise. She was a gorgeous Image. In compar ison with her Imposing figure In Its trailing robe of rich pink velvet my diminutive frame In Its sea green gown must have looked as faded and color less as a half obliterated pastel. "A striking woman." I remarked n-J I saw be was not likely to resume tho conversation which her presence hail Interrupted. "And what a diamond!" The glance he cast me was peculiar. "Did you notice it particularly?" he nuked. Astonished, for there was something very uueiuy In bis manner so that 1 half expected to see liini rise and join the group be was so eagerly watching without waiting for my lips to frame a response. I quit Uly ic;.ilc.l: "It would l.e libiii'.iit not to notice what one would naturally expect to see only on the breast of a queen, lint perhaps she Is a queen. I should judge so from the hoiunge which follows "her." Ills eyes sought mine. There wns inquiry in them, but It was an Inquiry I did not understand. "What can you know about dia monds?" be presently demanded. "Nothing but their glitter, nud glitter Is uot all. The gem she wears may be a very tawdry one." I flushed with humiliation. Ho wns a dealer In gems that was bis busi nessand the check which ho had put upon my enthusiasm certainly mndo me conscious of my own presumption. Yet I wns not disposed to take back my words. I had bad a better oppor tunity than himself for seeing this re markable jewel, and. with the per versity of a somewhat nulled mood, I burst forth as soon ns tho color had subsided from my checks: "No, no! It i.i glorious, magnificent. never saw Its like. I doubt If yon ever have, for all your daily acquaint ance with jewels. ,Its value must be enormous, t. no is tuor iuii i.ceiu iu . Low,,,- linr " It was a direct qucstl on, but I re- eelvod ro rc-iiy. Mr. Durand's eyes . had followed the lady, v !io bad 11 is- I gored somewhat ostentatiously on the j top step, anil tney oai not reiurn to roe till she had vanished with her com panions behind the long plush curtains which partly veiled the entrance. P.y this time he bad forgotten -my words, If be had ever heard them, and It was with the forced animation of one whose thoughts are elsewhere that be Anally talus, just as It had done a half hour before. But It was Impossible to see her face or who wns with her. What I could see. however, and did was the figure of a man' leaning against tho wall nt the foot of the steps. At lirst I thought this person unknown to me; then 1 perceived that he was no other than the chief guest of the evening, the Englishman of whom I have previous ly spoken. Ills expression hnd altered. Ue looked now both anxious and absorbed particularly anxious and particularly Be plunged do ten the steps with a my. absorbed so much so that I was not surprised thnt no one ventured to ap proach him. Again I wondered and ngnln I asked myself for whom or for what he wns waiting. For Mr. Durand to lenve this lady's prc.seuco? Xo, no: I would not believe that. Mr. Durand coul. 1 not be there still, yet some wo n t:.c!;e It nliik-ult for a i.:an to leave i'loni. and. rc:il!:'h:- tlili. I could not f ai.e:'!' cas'.iu-.' a leuihrr rlancc l.ohinl. i-,s. yield!:!'; to Mr. Fox's I;.V : :i :nMo I nunc toward th" imp stand nt his side. This roused him, und he gave nie n look which steadied me hi spite of the thrill of surprise with which I recognized his extreme pnllor and n certain peculiar hesitation In his manner not nt all nnttlral to It. Meanwhile some words uttered near us were slowly milking their way Into my benumbed brain. The waiter who had raised the' lirst alarm was endeav oring to describe, t an Importunate group in advance of us what he bad come upon' In that murderous alcove. "I was carrying about a tiny of Ices," be was saying, "and, seeing the lady sitting there, went up. I had ex pected to lind the jilaco full of gentle men, but she was all alone nud did not move as I picked my way over her long train. The next moment I hud dropped Ices, tray and nil. I had come face to face with her and seen that she was dead. She had Iwen stabbed and robbed. There wns no diamond on her breast, but there was blood." A hubbub of disordered sentences seasoned with horrified cries followed this simple description. Then a gen eral movement took place In the direc tion of the nlcove, during which Mr. Durand stooped to my ear and whis pered: . "We must get out of this. You nie net strong enough to stand such ex citement. Don't you think we can es cape by tho win low over there?" "What, without wraps and In such a : snowstorm 7" 1 protested. "Besides, un cle wiil be looking for me. Ho came with nie, you know." An expression of unucyauce or was It perplexity? crossed Mr. Durand's face, and he miide a movement as If to leave me. "I must ro." ho began, but stopped nt my glance of surprise and assumed a different air. one which became hlin very much better. "Pardon me, dear, I will take you to your uncle. This tills dreadful tragedy. Interrupting so gay a scene, has quite upset me. I was always sensitive to tho sight, tho smell, even to the very mention of tho word blood." So wan I, but not to tho point of cow ardice. But then I had not Just come from an Interview with the murdered woman. Her glances, her smiles, the lift of her eyebrows were not fresh memories to mo. Some consideration was certainly due Mm for the shock bo must be laboring under. Yet I did not know how to keep back the vital ques- j tion: "Who did It? Toil must hnve heard I some one say." j "I have heard nothing," was his I somewhat fierce rejoinder. Then as I ill tile ir. :e.: -nt . !' l':e , ; ..... ' . ......e c!-e!y .;:-:iv-l loeiher. V:'.. .ini tmspi.-hius circumstance. Uneer, the question v.asone easily settled. If any one bad approached by I lie- balcony there would be murks in the snow show It. Mr. ltamsdell bad -..lie out see. He would lie coming back s.hiu. do you think this a probable expla nation of the crime?" 1 demanded of Mr. Durand nt this Juncture. "If I rc member rightly, this window overlook the carriage drive. It must therefore be within plain sight of the door through which some .'100 guests hay l.iinaeu ionium, now COUM llliy OIIV climb to such a height, lift tho window and step In without being seen?" "You forget the awning." lie spoke quickly unit with unexpected vlvnoitv llie awning runs up very near till: window and quite shuts It off from the sight ot arriving guests. The drivers of departing carriages could see It if they . hani-ed to glance back. But their eyes nte i:su:iiiy on their horses In su. a crowd. The prohubiluies are au'aiu any el them Having looked up." Ills b;o-.v bad .Icaivd; a welabt seemed re. a large group of statuary which our 'returned to the old pies: host, Mr. Hamsdell. hnd ordered from Italy to adorn his new house. He Is a man of original Ideas In regard to such mntters and In this Instance hnd g me so fnr as to have this e-nl of the house constructed with a speiial view to an advantageous display of tills promise! work of art. Fearing the prnderuis When would I marry him? If he per n.i.i.i. It !iv.c.l me the I..igll:di. ! '"' " move: vt inn: l ou no not wish lti'lhe act of lifting two cups of to follow the crowd there?" r.'eo from a small table standing near I " ,v'sl1 'I'"' "'J' uncle, and be Is In the reception r om i.oor. As bis mun- i crowd." r.er plainly betokened whither he was ; J'r- Durand said nothing further, an 1 bound with this refreshment. I felt ail together we passed down the hall. A my uneasiness vanish nn.l was able t t "'"iiijce- min i pervaded my mind, lu tuke my sent nt one of the small tabler. ; "tend of wishing to fly a scene whli-h with which the supper room was filled ' U!"I,T ordinary conditions would have nml for a few minutes at lenst lend an ! fllu"'1 nie "'lib "Iter repugnance, I felt ear to Mr. Fox's vapid compliment and a desire to see nml hear everything. trllo opinions. Then my attention wan-i "t rr curiosity, such as moved dered. I had not moved nor bad I shifted my gaze from tho scene before mo tile ordinary scene of a gay and well most of the people titsitit me, but be cause of some strong Instinctive feel ing 1 could not understand, ns If It were my heart which had been struck filled supper room yet I found myself ' ftU1' '"' fato which wns trembling lu could offer me a home In a month-nnd j looking, as If through a mist I had not j t''" I'nlanco. could do so would I come to 111 in then? He would not say In a week. That wns perhaps too soon. But In a month? Would I not promise to be his In a month? :ff : even seen develop, nt something as "o were consequently among the ' ilrnnirn ..n. iu.,nl nml i.,nn.n .. n. . Ilml t,. In,., ,,,.) .......o.. effect of n pedestal large enough to ! what I answered I scarcely reeall iuii.1 10 neur nuejj iiiriner ueinils IIS phantasm, yet distinct enough In Its i were allowed to circulate among the outlines for me to get a decided Im-' now well nigh frenzied guests. No one presslon of n square of light surround- knew the perpetrntor of tho deed, nor Ing the figure of n man In u peculiar did there appear to be any direct evl pose not easily Imagined and not cnsl-1 deuce calculated to fix his Identity. hold such n considerable group', he had plnnued to raise It to the level of the , eye by having the nlcove floor built a few feet higher than the innln one. A flight of low. wide steps c inected ti e two, which, following the curve of the wall. adihM much to the beauty of thh portion of the hall. Tho group wns a failure nn.l a never shlppel. But the nlcove rctnS-.i-cj nnil. possessing ns It did .".II the -' 1-va:i'-.os of n room In the wn" of h "t "r''lf' ! nr.d light. !n, been- inrncrt Ir.P a n!;;-. I"" , l.ttlT.-. retr-l nt ,-,!', or I be-tlT. Tr. l.,. !.,.. i r,..l ,..-ir-i 7n.l r.r His eyes hnd stolen back to the nlcove, and mine bad f ollowe I t!ici. The g -n-tlemen who hod necomnanle-.l the lady n:.!e were on:!;." out .igoln. but oth- "nl nnv- I forgot ; It: er pi""" h 'M: p.t-e V! hou cl n! f '' ! C0 '.! -I ' i! I r to to't" their wa i o:r"" -. In rt In this f ir .r.-I n-,. . '- v'v - ': .-0' w,v r. ...... i ,. r..- (' ' v ."'I 1 ' th-.t fo ly described. It nil pnssed In mi In stant, nnd I sat staring nt the window opposite me with the feeling of one wb? has Jt'st ipcii n vision. Yet nlmost !x;:::e.i;:itely I forg .t the wl, . ocnr-. n ii'-o In i.ir anxiety is to Mr. Dn r.'.nl's r-h":-i!. nits, fert ibdy Im nun ' very mu'-h els.. where t - w i lid have f .ulcl !:n o j .'tikig inn I e, before M n ,t e-.-e-i s' ;ht. ill. of tV cl.' bin cortufilty th!i. Ih I 1 grew !'.! I the -.: i-.'in -in to tnr Indeed the sudden death of this beauti ful womnn In the midst of festivity in!"!: t hnve been Inbel uo-m ns sui cide If tile Jewel bad not b e-i r:!'i!n'r from her breast aid tho Instrument of dent'i removed f re: i tin. wound. .Si far the ca-cnil K"i-c!i wbb-'i h.:-i ....i In-i-'ilti-l had fnllel t. t.r !..-r. p, ( v.-cop-:i. Bet (be po!l.- "v eil I I be-o moved iroi.i bis mind. "When I went into the alcove to fee Mrs. l-'alrlirother she was sitting In n chair near this window looking out. 1 renicniber the effect of her splendor against the snow sifting down In a steady stream behind her the pink velvet, the soft green of the curtains ou either side, her brll limits and the snow for u background les, the murderer came In that wuv lier figure would be plalu to uny one ouisme, ami If she moved and tho dia inoiid shone Don't you see whnt probable theory' It Is? There must bo ways by which a desivorale mnu might reucu that balcony. I believe" How eager be was and with what .uuk no iiiriieu wnen tne word came tutoring through the crowd that, though footsteps hud been found III the snow pointing directly toward tho balcony, there was none on the bal cony Itself, proving, as any one could see, that the attack bad not come from without, since no ono could enter the alcove by tho window without step ping on the balcony. Mr. luirand has suspicions of his own, I explained determinedly to mv sen. lie me some one going In as he stepped our. Shall I nsk him to name this person?" No, I did not have the courage, not while I) In face wore so stern a loo.t "and wns so resolutely inriRii nwny. The next excitement wns a ronuest from Mr. Hamsdell for us all to eo Into the drawing room. This led to various cries from hysterical Hps, such as, "Vt are going to be searched!" "Ho be lieves the thief nnd murderer tn l.n still iu the house!" "Do vou see the diamond ou me?" "Why don't they confine their suspicions to tho favqre.l low who were admitted to tho al cove? ' . 'They will," remarked some ono close to my ear. , But quickly ns I turned I could Hot guess from whom the comment camo. I osslbly from a much bctiowered. be- jcweled. elderly dame whoe.e eyes were fixed on Mr. Durand's averted face. If so. she received a delimit look from mine, which I do not believe sbo for got lu a hurry. Alas, It was not the only curious. I might nay searching, ghiuce I surprised directed against lllin as wo mado our way to where I could sou my uncle struggling to reach us from a short side ball. The whisper seemed to have gone about that Mr. Durand had been the Inst one to converse with Mrs. Fnlrhrotber prior to tho tragedy. In time I had the satisfaction of Join ing my uncle. Ho betrayed great ro. lief at tho sight of me. nnit encoiirng. ed by his kindly smile, I Introduced Mr. Durand. .My conscious ulr must havo produced lis Impression, for ho turned a startled nnd Inquiring look upon my companion, then took ma res olutely on his own arm. Having: "There Is likely to be some implens nntness nliend for all of its. I do not think the police will nllow nny one to go till thnt diamond has been looked for. nils Is a very serious matter, dear. So many think tho murderer was one of the j.":eoia." "I think so, t .o," raid I. Hut why 1 thought so or why I ihould say so with such vehemence I do nut know even now. My uncle loolte 1 sui prioe.l. "You had Potior u ot advance nny opinions." be advised. "A lndy like y mi-self shell! 1 bine tone on n sub Jeet so rrow.-.oie.e. 1 she!! never cease regretting bringing yo.i Icre tonight. I shall seize on the lirst opportunity to take you home. At present we are supposed to ii will t the action of our host." "Ilu cannot keep nil theso people here long." 1 ventured. "No. Most of no will be relieved soon. Had you not f.ettor get your wniM so ns to be icc.ily t go ns soon ns he gives the v. ml?" "I should prefer to have n peep nt the people In the drawing room lirst," wns my perverse reply. "I don't know why I want to nee thorn, but I do; nnd. uncle, I mlirbt as "well tell you now that I e.igtged niyseif to Mr. Durum! this evening- tin- geiillcmnii with me when yon lir.,1 eome up." "You have engage 1 yorrelf toto this man to i.miry mean?" I tio.!.;,..!. v.-f'i c .-ly lo.dt l.-b!nd to see ir Mr. le-mud -.eie n.-er enough b heir. i:.. -.;: ,p, I -iiiown.l t tie i,-i.e in n few "It's a pi .el u. should f ome to aid !,. uiur f..r :ie to i oil to l.ll.o. 11.;. I ... will 1 leave hi.n l ehi-ol m ;:e:i , :i suit f... h.une. Ail . ho have been en enler ing that nlcove this evening wi.l neces sarily be detained here nil the coroner arrives." ? uncle and 1 strolled Inward the drawing room nnd as we did so wo passed the library. It held but ono occupant, the Kngllslunan. lie was seated before a table, and bis appear ance was such ns precluded any at tempt ut Intrusion, even If one had boon so disposed. There was a tlxlty In his. gaze and a frown on his power ful forehead which bespoke a mind greatly agitated. If was not for mo to read that mind, much as It Inter ested mo, and 1 passed ou chatting as If I had not the least desire to stop. 1 cannot say bow much time elapse.1 before my uncle touched nie ou tho arm with the remark: "The police are here in full force. I law a detective In plain clothes look In here u tninuie ag... lie seemed to have his eye on you. There he Is again! What can he want? No, don't turn; he's gone away now." Frightened as 1 bad never been In all my life, I managed to keep my head up and maintain an Indifferent aspect. What, ns my uncle said, could a detective want of me? 1 bad noihiug to do with the crime; not lu the re motest way could 1 bo said to be con nected with It; why, then, had I caught the attention of the police? Looking about 1 sought Mr. Durnnd. He had left inn on my uncle's coining up, but hnd remained, as I supposed, within sight. But nt this moment he was nowhere to bo seen. Was I afraid on his account? Impossible; yet Happily Just then tho word waa passed about thnt tho iwllce had given orders that, with the exception of sucU as hud been requested to rcuinln to answer questions, the guests generally should feel themselves at liberty to depart. Tho time had now come to take a stand und I informed my uncle, to his evident chagrin, Hint I should not leave ns long as any excuse could be found for staying. He said nothing at the time, hut ns the iioIhu of detaining carriages grad ually lessened and the great hall and drawing rooms begun to wear a loot of desertion he at lust ventured on this gentle protest: You have nioro plucky Itlta, than I supposed. Do you think It wise to stay ou here? Will not peoplo Imagine that you have been requested to do so? Look at those waiters hanging about in tile different doorways, ltun up nnd put on your wraps. Mr. Durnnd will come o tho house fast enough aa soon ns Ua Is relcnsed. I give you leave to sit up for him If you will. Only let us leave this place before Unit Imperti nent lltllu man dares to come around ug'.in," lu nrtfelly added. ll'it 1 stood llp.'.i. though somewhat novel by Dia ll-.ial iiuggestlou, cud bo il! tyrant hi i.:y way. at least .villi lil-n, I carried my point. deniy my anxiety became poig nant. A parly of men. atno.ig whom saw Mr. Dura id. appeared at the oii-l of tho hail, I si by a very small but self Important perooaago whom my uncle 'Immediately pointed out us the detective who Inul twice come to the door near which I stoo l. As this man looked up and saw. mo still there, n look of relief crossed his face, and after a word or two wllh nnother stranger of seedling authority ho de tached himself from the group he had ushered upon the scene and approach-1 Ing mo respectfully enough snW with deprecatory glance nt my uncle whose frown ho doubtless understood: "Miss Vnn Arsdale, I believe?" I nodded, too choked to spenk. "I am sorry, madam, If you wore ex pecting to go. Inspector Dalzoll has M hlui, do you vl N I "o m cud th 'll f i.'iie'bi.n.- would iio roe fr--ii g.y scot nt toole ai.ii A l t I -,'t V f; vln. Ill olng U of etitrenco "no.l'.v- CM to I.O l -o l;l!ll llliill b;.l tn v -ii I Ii qui. I; tvo "He h: pl lllie it. ti. Mir.; "..nd I .'..i;v. Me II all. the s In :nlled. at nil " am sorTv. wulam, It vou uert ex ptxtlny tti oo," nrrived and would llko to speak to you. Will you step Into ono of thc-ie rooms? Not the library, but nny other. Ho will ronio to you as quickly as lie can." I tried to carry It off bravely nud a If I saw nothing In this summons which wns unique or alarming. But I suc ceeded only In dividing n wnverlutf glanco between him and the group of men of which be hud Just formed a part. In tho latter were several gentle men whom I had noted In Mrs. Fair brother's train curly hi t), evening nud n few stranger, two of whom were i.fhvioiH. Mr. Durand wns w!tn the former, nud his expression did not encoiirng! nie. I tointlaciid Next I'rl.l.iy. I 'tiouebttlloers ul!! ti..'l rh. l. .t a" . 'eircalus In Itliil sr,-,.t uddill oi. , me the AlaU. your own terms; pa.'ofor y.o.r k i Im or iict-o tract out of your month. J ly iavliu;s. if vd. In lib j .iv......
