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......