HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1897-10-01, Page 22
11 1 laNIES OCTOliER 1, 1697.
• .
Aap*
.-*UtrattattratgEtra
*The Diamond Coterie
Constance smiled in spite of hermit
she admired this umn's cool way of 21U1
tering, tho situation; she felt that
ti rmy esueriamany man. xr we and
s- that we can't make hint useful after a
it few daystrial, we will pay him a
s month's wages and lab him go. That will
0 help him a little,"
td 1,1ten she sent for the new man.
to "I thought you might wish to hear the
1, latest report from Mr, Belknap," slut
said graciously. "If 1 am to he your ally,
I intond to k !CD nothing back; but 1
tont help fearing that lte may suspect
your Identity."
- "You need not," he 7 plied with con-
fident cap.°. "Ho has every reason for
supposing mo in California at this mo
-
loci* besides, he does not know me well
2 • •c rough to be able, to recognizo mo unilee
a soad disguise; our accsaintance," h
lidded dryly, "has been somewhat one
As( d, with the advantage so far on nw
'ile. 1 ilien I told you that I knew Mr.
Bean ip won, I did not intend to imo
that he knew me -equally well."
leen I will trouble myself no m !re
eltont the /natter," Add she lightly. "Mr.
Dorfman wishes to ezamino the servants,
that is what I wished to tell you."
"Very proper in Air. Belknap."
"Ohl is it? I thohght it; very absurd.
My servants tun honesty itself."
"So lunch the 'latter; Mr. Belknap
knows how to go to work, Alies War -
dour, pray feel no prejmiiee."
"Oh, not at ell," irontealln "Now
ateut the reports Be within eesy call to-
morrow morning, please, I think we will
have it then."
"Thanks."
"I suppose it rill be le 4 t(' NM you
present, thet is, within hearinha .L will
arrango Chet the intervi:?w will take
place in the dining room, and can easily
get you into the butlers room adjoiniag,
where William sleeps; tIS Mom Was ;Ix -
ranged with a view to the overlooking of
the dining room, and plate closet, as you
discovered for yourself; from there you
can both hear and see." ft
"So much the better." Then admiring.
ly, ho added, "Bliss Wardour, you are a
splendid ally; you have thought of every
thing."
She laug,hed; then answered with art-
ful franknees: "1 ant trying te get back
into my normal condition. I have been
out of balance somehow, ever since this
business commenced;thave been as testy
as an old woman of mt.enty. It is time I
began to redeem inysciff. But I must not
detain you. I see you begin to look un-
easy. Until to -morrow, I commend you
to tho tender mercies of Simon and the
cook."
"I wonder how that man looks, devoid
of all disguise," mused she after 120 had
withdrawn. "I don't believe he is tow -
haired and. freckled hyinaturo. I wontle-
what has become of poor Sybil's lettee;
and if I had bettor aelehis aid. ia.finding
it. But he is going awfiy so soon. - Now
that I reflect, soberly, tvllat motive could
Doctor Heath possible have far taking
that letter? I think ., must have been
mad, or in hysteria. Th h man may bo an
imposter, a man of inysiery, and all that;
but why must I accuse him oa taking ir
letter that could be of no pessiele use to
him. I had worked myself into a rage,
Well, it's done; I can't recall .it. Doctor
Heath will think me a Nizen, and why
not? What i Doctor Heath's opinion <2
me?"
What indeed!
* would be policy to let him 1 axe hi
way, i would
tako It IN al Ur s1
would or no. But the imp of caprieo in
not quite deserted her, and now 1
goadeu her on to her own downfal
Looking up, suddenly, she asked:-
By LA,WRENCE M. LYNCH
(E. M. Van Deventer) .
Author of "A 'Woman's Crime," "John Arthues Ward," "The Lost
'Witness," "A Slender Clue," "Dangerous Ground,"
"Against Odds," Etc,, Etc.
X
4K.
3<**7* ' *
(..-onstance uttered a low exclamation of
surprise.
-.Now, Con, ;" reproachfully. "Ah!" said. she, "you kiturg e'tot al -
"Now, auntie, don't plead, my heart is ready. Pray tell me how ju are more
adamant, If you den.'t go and interview puzzling than a Chinese juggler."
that man for the wen:minder of his stay i I "No jugglery about this, however " he
shall order Willie,
nay (1resing-roo
seripeo,have a rooted
to throw him out of i replied, looking somewhat amused. "I
window; not that 1 met 311r. Belknap face to face at your
antipathy for him, he is very gate; I have seen him wens, that
er man, and no doubt a farmer disguise before, hence I reeog-
good o cer. But I am worn out, unfit 1 nized him."
for duty, and -I have another matter to "And he?"
attend to." "Did not recognize me,"
"Oh!" ejaculates Mrs. Allston. arising, "Yet you know each other."
• "then, my child, I am ready, or almost "Slightly, yes;" with a droll look in
ready, to go and. Inspect your hiseS
new deteo-h Constance took note
"Nowrs! of w
tellinhele, Mr. Bathurst, is Mr.
.v.
Accordingly kfrs. Allston goes to her Belknap a good. detective?"
tenches up her dressing -cap, "Mr. Belknap is a smart man, Miss
,.1 gives.a pat here, a shake there, and then \Pardoner he understands his business
eufilj-ig her plumage like some huge old. thoroughly."
h: te/letene, her niece.
"12.' equivocates," thoineht Constance;
Aceiess. the hall they find the dethe ective aloud ssaid,
g.
inspectinthe little safe, and hurriedly "And I need not fear to trust my
introducing Mrs. Alieton, and making hasinsee in his hands?"
her own excuses, Constance hastens "You need. not fear," he.replied, with
etelay and down stairs. - )d emphasis. "And now," he contin-
Down the stairs and out of the house, ued, "thuo Dresses; you received your
ilrsr because she felt oppressed and needed l-hckage, Miss Wardour?"
the soothing effects of fresh air and ex- C< nstance felt uneasy, this man seemed
ereise, and, encond, because she expected to find out eversthingt did he know of
the tramp detective to bo somewhere in whet she had accused Doctor Heath?
• the vicioity, and, for some reason, she "1 ieveived it an hour ago," rho re -
"wanted to see him. In spire of the fact
that she had just declared herself bored,
and dopiest -ate, and anxious to be alone
in spite of the fact that she had fled from
detective number two, she wanted to see.
nurater on' for a woman's reason. Hav-
ing quarrelled desperately with Clifford
Heath, etre was immediately possessed by
an ineetoa desire to hear some 07.113 speak
of hint, and igteak well &him. This man
7.treiltwigiefellootor Heath from the first
with Cut utmost respeet. He was un-
doubeialy pleased at their chance meet-
ing aftee all might not this secret which
lay between the two be a perfectly hon-
tertile/e one?
In feet, Miss Wardour wanted- to see
Detective Bathurst,. not 1t4 Detective
Bathurst, but as the man who knew
Doctor Clifford Heath bettor than she
herself know him. Of her diamon.ds, she
never thought at nil.
She felt depressed,. dissatisfied, yet net
quite prey:god to blame herself in any
way. She was possessed by snore uncom-
fortable feelings than she could have
analyzed or described, yet was too con-
sistent a woman to he so soon ready to
• admit, even to hereelf, -that she had
-wronged DoctoreHeath. indeed, she was
more angry. than ever with that unfor-
tunethenalt. Had he net e'll,ped the ell-
-. of his iniquities 1,y tering off at a
tango:Vs and leaving her in a most un-
comfortable position?
The f.ri'01111:14 about Wardour Place were
large, well shaded, and laid out with a
net -work of walks. With a view to the
avoiding of those paths overlooked by the
windows of her dressing room, or other
Teeing where her lomt and the detective
were litrely to be, Constance kept to the.
north um east walks, thus coming near
the river, which ran north and south,
and toward which the eastern, or near,
portion of the grounds sloped down.
Waltzing thus, and gazing riverward, -thank yon; and now, Miss Wardour,
r,
0'aiw a form approaching, which I want to ask at least tieve favors of you,
she soon recognized as that of the detec- . in return for which you may -command
tive tramp. 2)10 to any extent.
t.
quickly anent to see if any of "Ask them," replied Constance, feel -
the se -ea -ante were in the grounds, and in inwardly that sho was outgrowing
885211±)'. herself that the way was clear, ell:prise,
she w: not Cc:ewer:I to where he could see "First, will you promise 1120-1 know
he Isdore approaching too near. that you keep your promises- not to
Gazing the 11y at him, a slight move. rprat one word of this conversation to
lewtor Heath."
me-nt of his hand told her that he had "Doctor Heath is not my father eon -
seen, 1.1.: was alert; and then she made fe'
ssor " she raid coldly; and then re -
a gesture nerthsvard, and, turning that inembering the sort of man she was ad -
way If, disappeared from his sight deeming, she added as best sho could
I lied.
••h les Wu: -dour,'' asked he, fixing- his
...yes neva her face, "have you any sus-
eieion as to who these robbers were?"
rer 0 moment Conetanee seemed half
tereheeed with fright; then she answered
"hhe sir; not the shadow of a suspi-
eloo; 1 01- Ton have."
"If I LA not 111070 than a See-
tatev--at r2•$(.21'7. :-(17., may I ask you.
eoree queetatoust s, at:- jto the point but
naish, for illy own reasons, I wish an -
She nodded zissent.
••Can you tell 31'43 how many medical
num you terve"
in W-?
Celt tance relleceed finally she said,
"1 thin% there wee seven, in all."
"Ah! ell in practice?"
"Net all; two are retired, one is an
eleing hut little."
"Thank sou; end how many of them
have re:else:nes or sendentsr
"Only two, to wy knohledge, Doctor
Benoit end--Doetor Heetlit"
w
"And ho ave these - young auen-I
suproee toot are pane: men? Can you
eine me any information concerning.
them?"'
"The Feting man with Doctor Benoit
fs etranner to 2110, ho comes, I believe,
irons one of the neighboring towns; the
ono with Bector Heath," here, in spite
.al herself, Constance colored slightly,
-is the son of ono oS our. wealthiest citi-
zens. He had, I believe, Leen readier, a
little in the city during the winter before
Doctor Heath eetablished himself here;
since when he has remained in W-, and
neid in Doctor Heath's office, when it
lets suited him to do so; he is like many
young men. of great expectations."
"And his name?"
"Has name," hesitating a little, "Is
Francis Laurette.
JIlery.
On the north, the grounds were bound-
ed 1 y the orchard wall, over which
tiro:oast the branches of huge old apple
trees and down 01025' to the Caste
bOUnkinlY of this sante orchard, a 5:114,iron c.01.1. otsmed into it. Toward thi
gate t enstenee walked, avoiding any ap
pettattree c.f unseemly haste, and toted
the (02.411 wall, hard by, weat th
tramp detective, looking inn:pent of 11n
thee:eat puteeen, eave to iota.: -'212 tit
lacie . ;el i tee for a Mauve, dollar, o
Although from what you saw last
night, you might almost have fancied
him such. I promise in. any ease to keep
Ranat this interview."
tarn "WIll you promise, above all, to keep
11
d
0
0
r
lee a in.; Con.t-eneo p.Issed.
throe ie Lou the cies:keel, last, itlieset
at te • :tap orcieent. .h atain, hottetled
and Atm.! 1 ''w -ii 17,e8id,4
growl itaiii Con-
et.o. ct,a.2asery. "lf we
art ! rleete it a leak i'
teasel 1(410) 2:2.4 r
• 0 0-i' '0; Ili'," 1` 011(1.1,:LW1:1'1.
‘VraY moat tat • :nog gess
close; :let wheal:, and wet see ile•ee C.0
01.0; '5";.!.11 1.0 a 111Sil' :. 1.!
the I.- „e.ing Lougee of it tgi • • no... tieet:
she t • re.,
agaln-2. 0 1,'.'.' 0 tow ;es:: e ante ls
turittel aeon 1/1T a
ohatat, tt sell
think Ivo are rosny foe
Serving"'
"Quite. None of 11t? 5'l2'.222.4 ,W ems
Tett night, and Ca's- art -ea to
eon* here in itny !i„". :!J•Zell
be dieturisel."
"You think so? idney 1 ;...k how leng
OW have been tilieene $''1 tau leings!
"About fifteen olietts es I esottld
"Well, in flitavn minues Leto. Me,
atalinsep will be out looking at the
otrapds, arid for rott."
ir Low Nr. Belknap; to loop everything
from 108 knowledge?"
Constance laughed.
"So far as I ean," she replied. "Mr.
Belknap is a detective; lot him find out
: things; 115 you .scem to do."
"I don't find out everything, more's
the pity." he replied; tin n heeitating
slialudy over the qmeeion. "May I rely
• on your trant:
"I peomiee for my aunt," replied Cen-
•-tcne, latighin9; again; "sae le vele,-
ideal."
1 Then!: you. Now there, is one thing
row I very mh w
ucish, for reayetti
WI:Seth to doubt. you will !Twee lit etetii
i lees to 5111 Or 1031'
3" -fee Belknap, private a2 ••• ; `rag f
112:1.1 (1' omen, !st, it,: vs
Ili 011052' to 1(':1'('t it if y(tt sae: 4.,) this knowletee."
Onetance lertisel peal -eel, and heti-
•e1 111 her answer.
el.:: tett Mr. Ititentap," she 2:! 1.1
t "1 tleteglit-2/
eoses up his ham/ :02,111'VV:•:i1
071,11. 1P at eeneineiene,•• le. in-
terrine:oil; "0 iiitvesive's nee nag1:U41:U4&'ha
token to.. It in tee dieto: g '
ear- s rede tthh. the; Faso.; a ,
neseet ns
1.114 it le ma tin • 1-
lhone
s4; nr etiti le the e
OW. ;ton won't !l.):., •
see, et ,:let ee•
:else '22U'(2'121,) I ear ;twee; h.
212,1(1 fos i�'f' fade ..`.1.-1,1
out in same way.'
"Inr. Bathurst!, why did you est: me
if I sueoected who stole my diamonds?"
"I didn't," smiling oddly.
Constance stared,
it
.asked if you guessed who the rob
bers Were,"
"But-," sho began; but the detective
drawing a step nearer, and speaking in
, guarded tone, interrupts her.
"1 ant satisfied that you. were robbed
on Saturday night, Miss Wardour; 1 am
'
sure that you have no clue to the burg
1 lars; no suspicion as to their identity;
but, I am not so sure that you do not
know precisely where to look for the
Wardour diamonds at this moment?"
Constance flushed and then turned
pale. Sho had found her match; she was
corneredonastered, bot she must give
ono last scratch.
"Having divined so much," she said
bitterly. "I suppose you intend to find
them too?"
Ho drew himself upthaughtily; "I tun
a detective, madam, nbt a spy; so long
(18 your diamonds give• you no uneasinese
they havo no interest for me. When you
need my services they are yours. I do not
investigate mysteriete from mere curi-
osity." •
Constance felt n4 twinge of self-
reproach. "I am belaying like a fool,"
she thought, in severe condemnation.
"I am losing my own identity; this man
is a friend to rely on, an enemy to fear.
He will not bow to my whims and cap-
rices. What has come over me? Let me
tay and redeem myself."
She had. been musing with downcast
eyes; now she looked. up, straight into
her companion's face: It had undergone
a sudden change; the eyes, a moment
since so full of fire and subtlety, wore
dull and expressionless. The face was
vague to apathy, the mouth looked the
incarnation of meenness or iinbecility;
even his hands had taken on a helpless
feebleness in the clutele in which ho held.
his worn-out hat. Beforo' she could with-
draw her gaze or open,her lips in speech,
he said Ma low guarded ton
"Some- one is approaching. Look be-
hind me, Bliss Wardoim, and carefully,
not to excite suspicion."
She turned her gaze cautiously in the
direction indicated, and. saw coming
slowly toward them, 1dr. Belknap and
Mrs. Aliston.
"It is Air. Belknap," she said, nodding
easily at the now 001110t8 as she spoke,
"and my aunt. Have no fears, six tramp,
everything shall be 1111 you wish. I will
engage you, I think."'
Constance was herself again.
"Aunt Honor," slid said, as the two
mane within hearing distance, "you find
sue at my old tricks." .
"Old tricks indeed 1"• replied her aunt,
with more subtlety of Meaning than she
often employ -ed.
Constance arose itnef' swept past the
supposed tramp, without bestowing
glance ripen Min.
"What would you do aunt?" sho said,
with an air of honest anxiety that would
have done credit to an actress "here is
this man again. You know I promised to
try and help him when he was hero be-
foze. Simon needs an assistant, he tells
2110; would you try him as under gav-
dener?"
Throughly chilled in the art or aiding
and abettine her niece, Mrs, Alieton
proveci equal to the emergency.:
"It couldn't; do any harm," she said..
surveying the gent lernan tramp Rome -
what superciliously. "He looks quite
respectable, for that sort of a person."
Conetanco stifled an inclination to
laugh as she said, briskly: es.
"Then we -will try Miro', and I'll just
take him to the kitchen, and tell cook
what to do with him until Siaion comes."
"Now just let me do, that Cern,"
remonstrated Airs. A 114tOl, "Mr,
knap wishes to talk with you :dealt tho
servants; remain here, and • I will intend
to this person."
"Very well," responded Constimee, in- 3
differently, at the 507110 lime realizing
the expediency of allowing the detective
an instant opportunity for dropping a
word of warning in the ear of her rela-
tive. "Tell the cook to give him. some-
thing to vet, and now Mr. Belknap yon
CHAPTEll IX.
The fates 23601110(2 propitious on Mondey
morning. The day dawoed fair and
balmy, and Constance arose, feeling re-
freshed and like her 01V11 serene self once
more:
The events of the twd previous days no
longer seemed to "her iniagin2tion 21
chaotic aasegeering mass of tribideliters;
they had''s, eameed themselves in their
proper order, Leen reviewed semi:inn :yid
assigned their rightful places, as things
to ho overcome, or overlooked, as the case
might be.
Mrs. Aliston, too, at once discreet and
talkativenvas in fine spirits, and the two,
having escerteined the proviso time
when Private Detective :Belknap might
e expected to make his ieport,had break -
crated comfortably, stowed away Mr.
13athurst, ang ccordito previous arrange-
nent, and were new calmly awaiting the
corning 111141.
They had not long to wait. Mr. Bel-
knap, ushered. in Nery, found the
ladies seeded near net Teaklest tray, as
if just aboutm
copleti a repast, which
had in reality, been finished some time
bef"Greo.od morning, ladies," said he, lay.
Ing down his hat, and at once drawing,
a chair to table,
the with the air of a
man whose time is money. "Having
completed my investigathms here-thatIs, is, in this immediate neighborhood -I
am prepared with my 'written 2101:021,
t
comprele i
my .2213410(7ter, and my 0n112 shares
hoer and understand its
o;rltA(' you 8.
did Mil take it from his hand.
am
ed it
which I submit to you, Miss Wardour.
Will you please read it, and then OW
700 further instructions?" and he proffer-
ed her it neatly folded paper, of geodly
proportions.
"Pherat read it, Mr, Belknap," she
said, epptedingly. "1 8(1047 I 8121211Conetauce glanctel at it dubiously, but
please," assented he, opening
the menuseript. "I hove made •it as
briof possilde; of course, it Wilk.; neces-
sary to Le istatheieal,"
The report, began with the 21501(1 form,
day 0214date, ciretunstances under whieh
hie eersieets were ret! i1104, etre aate-
111rat Of the ease 1424 2'01S 1111110 tO 111121,
then came the following:-
"Arriveti W- early on Sunday
nominee waliting from the first station
iethward. 'Potted Wartime Place 011511.7
0111 Mr. 'Lomat:Ws deecription. Cabled
etnee, end was at ones Pel'Illitteti
illt,310et the room where the 2014)0)15
1111( 1(21 1 found Cad,
12
.e eine had not
en previously matininedlased could: noe
ienie that itom
set orated or something bisturhed then
ight hove 42-012-451a elms Mite; W00(24215
21)001)Chet nothing of value \eds.
ken from this room, and t am inclined
think the the robbers had hoped to ,
nd thenesilves in the dining room, and 1
In rases to the plate closet.
and I may walk on."
e`Juet follow me, 1117 I111121,''
Mrs. Allston, in a tone of loftiest patron-
age, litui the newly appointed under -
gardener, beann.ng with gratitude, passed
by Miss Wardour and Mx. Belknap, and
followed the portly figure kitchemvard
with eager altierity.
Meantime, Constance, eager to rngeoss
Mr. 13e1knap's attention, turne1 towerd
him a smiling thee,
"Now, Mr. Bel :,t your 4j
p08121 for (1 short limo) fate seems 12.0,1
atainine! the rest T caner ote 'sees 1')
8001), ; seek but 70221 1.11:1,1(1,1,1 1,4 in we imane,
s
anICI tau not ungretentl; son AO ,l10.1 to
2 say son:Kai/1a almet my steno:ea d
with 20 if '.10.4t1: in you e
sepr.rately, "Miss
Constance opieeel her Tree quiek
surptieo, then site en:severed quit-dye
"'to question Tny t' '2-21211;.! Oii, yee-
tender, Mr. Bellensp; '
"This eveeing would istii serg t
going to look about the eurrouteting
country during the (ley."
"This evening then, after (linnet,: will
that :tuft veal?"
"Admieibly, say at half paet; iletitto"
ami having complete:I his Terrieteeesegoe
in this Istsineeteliisi tattnieg, eta !
lump aiduel ptieede don to pees ,
fr
the orehard, rani sal it, lose 1 ......... ;
gravely, went tl....eoeh the wieter. end
walked. svelftly 1 a wen. the T014'4
trees titaiHtt I2421•1:1W01 41.
. Le
At six Welt:els 32'.devening, 1111se Wi-...r•
thalr Fe41t for 41
11
''Simon,'' sweviky to te.e eres.:
looking (11(1 12021, "1 tete:Aged a ;lag Ti ' 1
ao, _a
to -day, neeltatii eon Itave 5,•1.11 ;.; -1.
1S
(1021't 1.. -*1 1.. v„-ty 211.03.721 t 0
inSt W .1.; F011 1.0 fi
Vert, litt..kti, end beget hiot Meetly: git
CEYLON' TEA
Fragrant and kifiatic as ifs Native Bain.
Lead packages only, 25, 30, 40, 50 ate,
el 6.. per ib. Sold ')y 11 grocers,
The Phyvillson 4.7 Hay, Ltti., Wholesale Agents, Toronto.
p•••••••••••••••01,
UriAirla LR5tClai121 UR
Library, room. where, there being no
nian of the house, it could hardly be
supposed. valuables were kept, or money
or papers of worth looked away; they,
after a vigorous search, opened the door
of the hall; here they found themselves
at once at the foot of the stein and,
naturally, one ascends to explore. Tho
first door that ho tries is the door of
Miss Wardour'sdressing room; and, hav-
ing examined that door 2 ion compelled ,
to think that Miss Wardour, for once,
forgot to look it. Had it been looked the
explorer would naturally have passed on, ' „
trying the other doors and some of these •
doors were certainly not looked.
"The burlgary was effected with the
utmost quiet, and there es?, no indica- s
-Lions that any thing 'was dist.urlied on
the second floor, save 14n Miss Wardour's s
rooms, thorefore (f eite,this presumptive
evidence,) tharlYliss Wardour's door \'028not locked as she supposed it to 1:e; find.-
ing this to be the case the man signeled
to his confederate to come up, and then,
having a dark lantern, they entered, end
surveyed the room. The rest is evidence;
one of them, skilled in his profassion, 411i
and in the exigencies that must 4)21210 la
the practice of it, administered to Miss f
Wardour the chloroform. Xow the oiwra-
tion must have heen as delicate one, (221!the length of time necessary to open the w
safe and get, 110880S:4031 Of its contents
0055111(24some 37111111712,'5; having heard Aliss
Warlour's statement in regard to the
effect a poworful dote of chlomforni has t
on her 11yr-seriTA system, I 121311:20 to the
opinion 14,122 tho firms was administered :
to h12' In 12112212320dcses, not gene, hue 3
two or three times at least; this accounts, e
for the lottle and the linen being left in 1.;
the sleeping room. ;Probably, just at tho f
• moment when they --tad stowed (2.12-2,7the
last of their booty," some slight sound c
alarmed theni and Or made a hurried c
escape, forgetting the bottle entirely.
"The robbers left linhincl them no clues
beyond the established. fact that they were ,s1
professional burglars. This is proved. by s
the manner in which they did their work, h
and 1 y the tools they must have et:aided.
"I soe here the work of city- -
bred. Lurglars, and the eemainder cf the
work of finding thorn is to he done in the
city, where they will eventually try to. -
dispose of some of the jewels, no doubt.
"In order to satiefy 21172301± that th
has Leen no am
ccoplice here, who 11107have been 210q114 lifted with the premises, 'es.,
I have searehed most thoroughly. I have "I';
examined the servants closely, and I find
chink 211Mnrylirup.r.s. (Lammas ant
comprehensiveness."
And you see nothing in the theory to
object to?* You think that working from,
these findings, there will be a hope ea
success?" he queried.
Constance hesitated once more to con-
sider her answer and collect herself gen-
erally,
"Why, you know, Mr. Belknap," she
said at last, and with charming ingenu-
ousness, "this is not a matter for my
udgment; I rely upon sgni entirely; pray
lo not hesitate, but continue+ your in-
vestigations in whatever direction your
udgment leads sou. I wish Air. Lainotte
vas here to 001121.2 42-1211 you; but, if he
were here," and her faun
ce Immune sad as
he thought of 1.22 home coming; "he
would hardly be in spirits for such a con -
Libation. Mr. Laurette has 1)0(2 21012-5
awaitingm
hi. W&'must venture this
matter with/tilt his aid for the present."
The detective's face showed grave con-
cern,
"Bad news for Mr. Laniotte," he mur-
inute4; "I deeply deplore that. He seems
such a genial, kindly gentleman so much
boys the average business man. It is
of too serious, I hope,"
"Th 122 something you would have heard.
roue the first gossip, if you had mingled
.1211 the town people at all,' replied Con-
tance sadly. "I may as well tell you
hat every one knows. Mr, Lamotte's
nly daughter , hue eloped during his
12501100, with a vew
ryworthless 1111111."
"His only daughter!" repeated the de -
('0±12 -12 in a hushed sympathetic voice;
what 12 bw
lo! what a bitter blow to a
.111i'.1"8 110211't. Ali, madam," turning to
Irs..Aliston, "these things are common,
specially so to 0100 in my profession,
tut 1Ve Ca11 never adjust ourselves to them
or all Clint; ettoh one comes to some one
ith the shook of a never before • expert -
need horror. Death is cannnon, the
ommonest thing of all but, it is the
cing of terrors' still."
His voice, low, splendidly modulated,
rely cadenced, seemed thrilling with .
ympathy, 12111(2 114! sighed as Ile lowered •
is eyes to the floor, and relapsed into
editation, seemingly forgetful of the
;sines in hand.
Suilddenly he ststrted, seeming to re-
vor hireself with 1%72 Wert
"ilattiell any abstraction," ho said, a
nide of pe2t4ve12ess still lingering in his
dee. "lo coot emplesting another's sor-
W. I am form1011g your lmsiness. I can
hope Via this matter is not so bad
it might be. as sueli things sometimes
cs I
nothing to indicate that there hes I eon ,
any ono concerned in this affair, who is
an inhabitant, or habitual visitor in the 011
town.
kr+
"In a field to the northward, I have
found what may be, I think is, a trace ab
of the rohners. Two or more 111011 have in
eaped 0 ditele running across tho field an
from east to west; and the footmarks in th
the first instance are Coining southward,
or toward Wardour. These footmarks are
within a few rods of the road, as if the
parties had suddenly abandoned that
highway, fearing observation from travel-
ers. My supposition is, that they ap-
proached Wardour Place, keeping to the
field, after having leaped the ditch, until
the northern boundary of the orchard was
melted; here they must have kept close
under tho wall, until they came to the
roadside fenee, which they climbed. The
fence bears freshly edraped marks, as if
made hy loot heels in climbing over,
and some tall weedsgrowing by the
roadside, give evidence of having been
hastily and heavily trampled. The thieves
probahly retain...eel after the robbery, in
the same way; for, ono crossing of the
fence of not have left so many marks
visible, either on the boards or among
the whele; and in the darkness they fell
a little eaetward of their fleet course; for I
find, at tho ditch again, but nearer to
he river, the same footprints where the
diteh has hem leaped, this tiine the foot-
steps going northward.
"It le arobehle that the thieves trait:nod
northwatel redee cover of the darkneea,
until they straek the railroad at some I re-
viously iteleeted point, arid from thence
took the first train eityward."
The 151161illg 0111110 CMS 010115217 t0 en
end, and the reader lookedam to note 2.10
effect upon 1.1.1 hearers. They both sea in
meet attentive ettitudos, eard terch fLeo
wore an exprsigion of puzzled ttstetieit-
mint 1O32 Leino altle to retteh 141 10
"inner comelottsiegie" end reed tiie
mental comperisons there being fig: iv a
between this report and the voly diei
ilar ilu;-j111 up of the tramp detective,
Mr. Belli:Tap drew his inferencee, as do
we all, poor mortals that,we are, 1110010g'
only the outeide of the cup and platter.
He SaW th' surpriee, the , puss:led
that inielit denote a peetial inahility to
grasp his thoughte and theorlial at °nee,
and a feeling of satisfaction took posees-
Bien of the tweet of the astute dot:eats...a
Paneiint for a comment,. and 10014V:24
none, he said, with dignified gravity
: -
"I trust, that I have made my t-ett
suffieiently plain to you, ladies, and thet
you find no flew in it."
Con". '22(21', who evitli her keen roavo fir
the ritlieulons, leaf been Oa:eying the
effect this meat would have upon tee .
deteetive 241111)214112, and Atm:4aq ae. le • a
with her own thibilities, mastered lay ..11
finallly, tool 1)00.- 5511111 leg 11(12.2 111' i,f
proseion, reined with to wielest tteziee
current of neaten:iv-
"It 1., quite phin to nie, sir; t am a
neer milli: of estelt.inaq,ers, but I shoull
"It's as had as it can bo," responded
onstance, glecnniiy. "It won't bear dis-
:mien; I mentioned it to you, Mr. Bel -
01), in order to show you how entirely
sorbed Mr. Lamotte will of necessity be
his cwn affairs when he reaches home, •
d that we will be obliged to move in
is matter without him."
"Perhaps there is some one else you
may desire to consult in Mr. Lantotte's
absence?" hazarded the private detective.
"No," replied Constance; '"iny lawyer
is out of town, and there is 110 .0110 else
-upon -whom I can rely. You must act
alone, Mr. Belknap."
"Authorized by you I shall not hesitate
to do so," he replied, bowing courteously.
"The case looks very clear to 1110. It will
be a matter of time of cenrse, these old.
birds aro sly; but et etteally they will
try to market their wares, and thenhve
shall have them. You can give 1110 1221
accurate description of all the stolen
jewels, Aiiss Wardour?"
"011, certainly."
"Then the sooner that is done the bet-
ter."
At this moment a soft rap sounded on
the door. Cense:nee crossed the room
onnclet:t-dinitted Nelly, who said. in a low
"Mr. Francis Lainotte wishes to see
you, Miss. I toles him you wore pastiest -
lar engaged, just; as eon told me; but he
said to toll you ho hed just come from
his search, and would only detain you for
21 mentent."
Constatice paled slightly, and after a
luoment's thought, fetid: -
"Wait a moment, Nelly." Then she
went back and addressed the detective
and her aunt.
"It is Francis Lamotte," She staid,
inkling, by way of ceeplanation to the
detective, "the eldest son of Mr.
motte, and brother of the young lady
who has brought trouble to herself and.
family. Ile, Francis, went on lanturday,
on a self-imposed searell through the sur-
rounding country, in the hopes of finding
some trace of these robbers. If ho ie but
now returned ho cannot yet have heard
of his sistor's flight. We cannot let him
go away in ignorance, and yet," turning
a look of !swift appeal upon her aunt,
"Aunt Honor,. will you lay aside old pre-
judices and tell hi112 of this sad 111152021-
1)21210?"
Mrs. Aliston looked doubtful for
moment, then a look of 81)212(11251 (10111'.
tnisoration came into her face Oa she
thought
"She can't be very much infatuated
With him or she would herself undertake
this delicate trek, and 1 can afA».(i to
pity the poor fellow, sine° she does net
1)117 1111)1 oosf..eir)tgliscul " tyt 111;1 Islearrai;r1teepe
as elm paid aloud:-
" Certainly I will barak the rower to
lioli:vo my dear, and as gently MS is in my
b
er." •
2
(TO 1218 03314tmen-1A