The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-06-07

come in that night when the alarm was
raised?"
eyes, sir, believe no did," said the
inspector dryly.
Young DR.. Lake happened to be at
home, and received them IN small
room, where he was sitting in a ragged
shooting coat and slippers, enjoying an
evening pipe. ,,
"How do you do, Mr.. Archoll?" he
said, cordially. I did not know you
were back" -.
II only arrived an hour or two ago"
replied Mr.. Archoll, as they shook
hands. "Ths is Inspector Davis. who
wishes to ask you question or two with
reference to that affair at my house the
other night. By-the-by, 1 have to thank
you for coming to the rescue"
Don't mention it," said DR.. Lake,
turning rather curiously toward the de-
tective.
"You were soon up and dressed, sir, )"
remarked Inspector Davis, seating him
self stitfly on the edge of chair in obedl-
ence to gesture from the doctor. 1.-The
butler tells me you came round immedl'
ately."
eyes. I had not been to bed," re-
turned DIR. Lake. after returning from
spending the evening at Mr.. ArcholIs
house, I sat up smoking and reading"
"You no doubt noticed the young
lady's necklace" said the inspector,
glancing at Mr.. Archoll.
'Particularly, and admired it very
MUCH" replied DR.. Lake, looking him
straight in the face.
Inspector Davis appeared tride dis
concerted by the directness OF the doc.
tors answer, and assumed moro defer
entail tone.
Have you any objection, sir, to let
me see one of your boots?" he inquired,
glancing at the doctors slippered feet.
"You will find the pair I have just
taken off in the corner there" said DR..
Lake, with rather an uneasy laugh.
The inspector had pounced upon them
almost before the words were uttered, at
the same time producing from his pocket
q piece OF paper on which was traced the
outline of q foot. The doctors boot
fitted the diagram exactly.
"What does this meap?" inquired Mr..
Archoll ss the inspector looked up with
complacent expression.
"This is diagram of the footprints
made by the person who stole your
daughters necklace when he sprang from
the staircase window" explained the de-
tective, looking sharply at DR.. Lake.
81 wish to speak to you alone a minute,
Mr.. Archoll," said the latter, changing
color. "Will you be good enough to
step into the next room minute, in
spector?"
Mr.. Davis looked at Mr.. Archoll
doubtfully, but as the latter gave him
no encouragement to remain, he fol-
lowed the doctor rather reluctantly into
the adjoining apartment.
"Those internal footprints have upset
my plans, said DIR. Lake confdentially,
as he returned and proceeded to unlock
q drawer in his desk. "Here is the mech.
lace and the rest of the things. You will
find them all there" he added, laying a
small parcel on the table at Mr.. Archoll's
elbow.
"Good God! what is the meaning of
this, Lake?" exclaimed Mr.. Archoll,
starting violently.
ut is easily explained. While the
search was going on at your house the
other night, I was sent for to attend q
servant who had tainted in Miss Grace's
room. / was at once struck by your
daughters demeanor. Her pulse was
singularly calm considering her recent
fright. She gave me the impression of
acting a part, and I could not refrain
from asking her rather abruptly where
she had placed the missing jewelry. Be-
ing taken aback, her eyes involuntarily
turned toward the fireplace before she
anawered mo and following her glance
I perceived that the ornamental shaw
ings in the empty CRATE had been slightly
disarranged. Immediately guessed that
the things were hidden there"
"By-by the thief" suggested Mr..
Archoll, turning pale.
mo. By Miss Grace" rejoined DR..
Lake, quietly. II stepped across the
fireplace, and, when no one was looking,
I plunged my hand into the CRATE and
grasped parcel, which put in my pock-
ct. Nobody saw me except Miss Grace. "
"Grace saw you?" exclaimed Mr.. Arc
holl.
Eyes. She was Watching me appre-
hensively, divinlng, I suppose, that l
had discovered her secret. But her
mouth was closed, and she could say
nothing"
Then you mean to insinuate that my
daughter deliberately raised . false
alarm?" said Mr.. Aroholl, sternly.
Undoubtedly. But l unfortunately
made the discovery too late" resumed
the doctor. "A hue and cry had been
raised; Miss Grace had given detailed
version Of her story before half dozen
persons. including the servants, and the