The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-09-21
CHAPTER III.

MIR. GRIPPER RAISED HIS EYEBROWS"
At the date OF this story-twelve years.
ago-you had did you wish to find it at all,
to go in search of No. /. Charing Cross,
through an iron gate and up narrow pass
age. Had you furthermore desired to hold
communion with Mr.. Gripper, adimly-light
ed winding staircase lay before yOu, and In
the gloom of dark wanscoted apartment
on the second floor, behind darker Office
through which you had first to pass, Grip
per seemingly lay in wait-at any hour pre-
pared for consultation.
Prevalent as crime Is in this great city, it
need have been still further increased, one
may charitably suppose to have crowded
Mr.. Gripper's staircase with his clients pass
ing to and fro. At any rate, by some chance
no client of Mr.. Gripper's ever met another
client or saw other living souls within the
building but Grlpper himself, thin why
old man who acted as his clerk, and a tall
bulky individual with whom we shall pres
emily have to deal.
The occasion Of Sir Richards visit was no
exception to the rule.
The barouet sent in his card. Mr.. Gripper
was for thG moment engaged, but would see
Sir Richard Immediately. Sir Richard wait
ed minute or two then was summoned 10
the presence.
II have come to consult you respecting
loss have sustained" said Sir Richard. "A
diamond, weighing four carats and valued
at one hundred and fifty pounds, has, have
reason to believe, been stolen from an iron
safe in my study. Instead of going directly
to the proper-I should say, the police au-
thorities, have come to you"
Mr.. Gripper, with the faintest possible
smile, bowed his head, patted the back Of
one hand with the other, and said:
You had possibly reasons for wishing
In the first nstance-that the case should be
privately conducted! Will you permit me
to ring the bell? Thank YOU This is Mr..
Greengraves, the most trustworthy of the
officers lemploy. 1t is most fortunate that
he is here at this very moment. You will
permit Mr.. Greengraves TO be seated, Sir
| Richard?',
Thank YOU" replied Mr.. Greengrayes,
without waiting for the concession request
ed, Il can listen better standing"
| Dii ischaiu, hHlIllHB HIS DlOWS, Regarded
the speaker for moment fixedy. He was
the burly man before alluded to, sandy
haired, broad-shouldered with large hands
and feet. About his face there was nothing
remarkable. He had pug nose and wide
mouth. He might have been as cunning as
a iox, or as stupid asa pig, for what you
could Judge Of his character from his physi-
ognomy. Sir Richard quickly concluded
that he must wait and see before he himself
could decide, and went on with his story.
TO use as few words as possible" said
Sir Richard, u placed this diamond in my
sa1e-it Is patent safe and closes with a
spring-yesterday afternoon before going
down to the House OF Commons. 1 dined
at the House, and remained, either listening
10 the debates, or In conversation with mem.
bers In the smoking-room, until half-past
eleven. l then went to my club, and re-
turned to Fulham In cab at one o'clock In
the morning. locked the diamond up be-
fore starting, and took the key with me.
found the key this morning in the pocket
where had placed 1t overnight. 1t Is, a.
far as can imagine, impossible that any
one could have access to the key"
The two first points TO be certain OF are
that you did actually place the diamond IL
the safe, and that you did actually lock thu
safe. You say you are certain of both thes,
factSp
"Positivev'
THE next question then is, Do you sus
pect any oneT'
Certainly not should have commence,
by saying so-or make some inquiries nv
self" '
Mr.. Gripper bowed his head, dipped pen
the handle OF which he had been medtatye
ly chewing, into the ink, and asked:
May inquire of what your household
consists, how long each person has bee
with you, with any other information yo
can give me?"
: There are Saunders, my butler--I hay
had him over fifteen years; Mrs. Gee, m
housekeeper, who has been with me abo,