Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-16

We are going to ball." stammered
| / was just telling my wife her diamonds
became her"
$50 l heard" said Stormont. ''May
look at your diamonds, Lady Dennis?"
He approached and gazed admiringly al
her necklace and earrings.
Beautiful he said several times. "Dia-
monds of the first water | know some
thing about diamonds; my great-uncle was
diamond merchant"
If you were going with US you would
see far finer diamonds than mine," said
Lucy. 'The Duchess has diamonds that
are absolutely priceless, and such a guam
tity, She has them sewn on to her dress,
and two detectives always close to her."
81 wonder she dares walk about in such
precious things" observed Stormont. "At
large parties it is impossible to say what
bad characters may not slip in"
"Well, as a matter of fact, she doesn't
walk about" said Lucy. "a few years ago
she hurt her spine out hunting and she is
always on the sofa"
Wouldn't You like to come with us, my
dear fellow" said l.
"Thank you, think not" he replied,
IldlDllNGlN L SlDutu llhC II, Dul l. lCdl
the noise and heat would hurt my head
Thank you, Lady Dennis, for letting me
see your treasures. l hope you keep them
carefully"
"Oh, yes Frank keeps them in his
strong box, and when we travel they go to
the bank" she replied. Frank will lock
them up tomorrow as safe as a church."
To-morrow-not till tomorrow ?" ex-
claimed Stormont in Mortified tone.
mo-" said she; "why should he tire
himself? Nobody could take them out of
our room"
At this moment the carriage was an
nounced, and carried Lucy off. 1t was a
good ball, and the Duchess lay in state,
covered with superb diamonds, and watched
by acute and intelligent dictionaries. In
the course of the evening a gentleman-like
stranger, with long fair beard and rather
long fair hair, addressed me, and asked if
l could point out Sir Francis Dennis. l
told him that l was the gentlemanin ques-
ton, and he bowed courteously.
"You will excuse the liberty took"
he said, "but l believe my old friend,
George Stormont, is staying with you.
only heard of his whereabouts to-day, and
at cockcrow | start for the Continent, or l
should have called to see him. Perhaps
you will say that you met Colonel
L'Estrahge"
l was pleased with the Coloneps man.
ner, and we entered into conversation, and
after time he begged me to present him
to the Duchess. This l did willingly,
knowing that the poor Duchess chief
pleasure lay in talking with agreeable peo-
pie, and after that lost sight of him.
1t was late when we left, and on reach
ing home we found Stormont walking in
the drive, smoking. He followed the car
riage quickly and helped Lucy to alight,
and we stood talking in the hall for a few
minutes.
"And the Duchess and her diamonds ?"
inquired Stormont presently.
"The Duchess and her diamonds were
all there" said l. 'By the way, Stormont,
l met a friend of yours, Colonel l. Es-
TRANCE, and l introduced him. to the
Duchess, who, understand, was charmed
with him."
HE is a very nice fellow" said Stor-
mont; "quite ladies' man. | wonder
what he was doing there? However, l
mustn't keep you, Lady Dennis; you must
be very tired"
We went upstairs, and, as usual, Lucy's
diamonds were left on her dressing table.
We had done this so repeatedly that it
never occurred to US to do differently, not
withstanding the establishment that Stor-
mont had expressed. But We committed
the indiscretion once too often. The next
morning Lucy's exquisite diamonds were
gone.
An unusual event had happened at last,
but it was too serious for joking. Lucy
was too miserable to get up, and at length
| left her to her maid and went down to
breakfast alone, bordering what steps [
should take. had hardly poured out my
coffee when Stormont came in. He held
an open letter in his hand, and seemed
quite alert and cheerful.
"Good morning." he began eagerly.
London; has come up on purpose to meet
me and wants me to Join her to-day"
Indeed" said l absently. "Your sister
Mrs. McDonald-in town-ohw
Stormont looked at me, surprised.
"Anything the matter?" he said. Lady
Dennis not well ?"
"Well, yes, something is the matter"
said l. Something deucedly disagreeable
has happened. My wife's diamonds have
been stolen"
Good Lord p exclaimed Stormont.
He was so taken aback that he literally
fell into chair and sat there staring at
me.
'Those diamonds ?" he said at last.
"Those splendid diamonds? l have no
words Did you lock them up?'
"No," / replied, Owe been COMPOUNDED
fool. But the diamonds were close to us
and we don't sleep heavily"
'Whom do you suspect| asked Stor-
mont.
mo one" 1 said. "All my servants
have been with me for long. Some one
must have been secreted in the house"
"And what are you going to do?' he
asked. "Can l do anything in town?
must go up by the 3:l5."
We discussed the subject all the morn
ing, and Stormont's indignant interest was
very consolatory, and when Lucy APP
peared, she was greatly cheered by his
sympathy and hopefulness. He was GER
tain that the rogues would be taken and
the diamonds recovered.
''You are very sanguine," said she.
''You seem quite well to-day, Mr.. Stor-
mont"
81 feel much BETTER" he replied. "Joy
is a fine doctor, and the expectation of see
ing my sister has made another man of me.
Then this atroeious burglary excites me to
pitch | can't describe. Lady Dennis,
you must recover your diamonds. l shall
run down on Saturday to hear the news.
A talk will be so much more satisfactory
than letters
| drove Stormont to the station. By his
advice had not called in the local police,
but telegraphed TO London for 4 detective,
and should meet him by train which
would arrive soon after the Sis departed.
"By the way" said Stormont, as we
stood waiting on the platform, "about Col
L'Estrange-what was he like?'
about your hight" l said. Thin and