Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-11-24

planned that his associate was out looking
up evidence, and that he believed he had
got some clue to the mystery, but at present
could say nothing definite.
"By the way, Sir Richard" said the agent,
there IS the card you left yesterday. We
did not make use Of it. This evening, / be-
lieye, you give o dance-party. If you can
find employment for al extra hand to wait
at table, Mr.. Gycengrayes is your man."
Sure enough, that afternoon, Mr.. Green
graves, in a suit Of glossy black, with a pair
of clean white thread gloves in his coat tail
pocket, and a pair Of thin-soled shoes upon
his feet, put in an appearance at Fulham,
presented his credentials, and straightway
proceeded to make himself extremely agree
able in the kitchen, although it must be al
lowed that the first offer Of his assistance
caused some surprise to the servants. They
very easily came to the conclusion that
extra help was quite necessary though UNI
expected, and passed over the greater part of
the work to NJ. ~Greengraves, without a
murmur.
Thus was 1t that the qulck-sighted and
quick-cared detective was that evening here,
there, and everywhere, picking up a great
variety OF information which might, some
TIME or other, turn up useful, but which at
present he could make little ont of. The
dianer itself was q solemn affair, and, COM
mencing at eight, dragged on its weary
course until 4 quarter to ten; and a quarter
past that hour, VIXEN the gentlemen had
joined the ladies upstairs, the detective,
with cat-lil1e tread, and the gravest Of grave
faces, was handing round the tea and coffee.
The company was divided into small
groups, and a low murmur of conversation
xyau on rria1 ~, x,i.1, anoi.abI, 4, A.:l
never a laugh. Almost in the centre Of the
room, very upright, with his head a little
thrown back, and the gaslight falling upOn
his sllvery hair, and high polished forehead.
stood FOrdyce, speaking slowly and Impress
lively, whilst some haif-dozen men around
him were listening with rapt attention and
respect. 1t was ONE abstruse theory of ma
tional morality he was expounding, and in
the name of all that Christian men held
sacred, this theory should be put into prac-
ticc.
"Tea or coffee, sir?." said a soft voice at
his elbow, and the color came and went in
Sir Richard Fordyce's face.
The ladies Of the company were mostly
gathered together in one group round an
easy-chair-thc easiest-indeed, almost the
only easy-Ihair worthyo of the name that the
room contained, FOR it was furnished with
real, genuine Qaeen Anne f%urniture--in
which Lady Fordyce was seated. The de-
t~ective's watchful eyes settled many times
upon the half-recumben. figure Of the mis-
tress D.. the house.
Leaning back there with Il queenly repose,
and an ar OF gently suffering loneliness,
from which now and again at most n faint
smile might be wrung, she was in truth a
beautiful picture, her delicate face half hid
den in the soft shadow Of the fan, clasped
hy Il jewellcd hand, the stones of which gilt
tered in the gaslight.
Very little she said, but the ladies around
her were talking mildnonsensc about recent
fashionable fetcs, picture-galleries, new
books, and things they had read in the news
papers, 10 which she seemed to listen Ian
guIdly, now and again putting in a word.
Mr.. Grcengraves, silently gliding to and
fro, had eyes for all this.
Presently q loud knock was heard at tho
outer door, and a few moments later a mill
t2ry-loolang man entered the room, came
towards the hostess, who half rose torcceive
him, rendering him, Greengrayes noticed,
her left hand. The visitor seemed to notice
il TOO, but made no remark.
You weren't at the opera last night?" he
said.
Mo- she replied. =. was not well; I
had a bad headache"
81 met Sir Richard there" said the new
conner, whom Greengraves now recognized
as one Of the men who had spoken TO For
dyce in the lobby.
Before the last word was uttered Fordyce
stood by the speakers side.
You were at the opera?" said Lady For
dyce inquiringly. you did not mention it."
lit slipped my memory" replied Sir Rich
ard, whose face was very pale as he SPOKE.
IL was there barely half an hour. missed
some one ! wished to meet nj the House,
and heard he had gone on there" Then
turning coldly towards his guest: II am
very pleased to see you, although the pleas
IRE was unexpected"
II asked Captain Campbell, " replied Lady
Fordyce quietly, and her husband, without
any further remark, turned away.
Il WONDER" said Greengraves to himself
with a grim smile, "how much my secrets
worth as it stands now? 1 mayn't be getting
much nearer the knowledge Of the dia-
mond's present whereabouts, but I'm pretty
we'll coached up in its antecedents."
The moment was, however, close Mt hand
when Mr.. Grecngrayes was destined TO make
a curious discovery.