The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-23

ingly, knowing that the poor duchess
chief pleasure Icy in talking with agree
able people, and after that l 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 carriage 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, Stor-
mont, met friend of yours, Colonel
L Estrange, and 1 introduced him tt
the duchess, who, l understand, was
charmed with him."
"He is very nice fellow, said Stor
mont: quite a ladies' man. l wonder
what he was doing here? However,
mustn't keep you, Lady Dennis; you
must be very tired"
We went up stairs, and, as usual
Lucy's diamonds were left on her dress
ing table. We had done this so repeat.
eddy that it never occurred to us to dc
differently, Notwithstanding the aston.
ishment that Stormont had expressed.
But we committed the indiscretion once
too often. The next morning Lucy's ex.
quisite diamonds were gone. -
An unusual event had happened al
last, but it was too serious for ioki,gI
Lucy was too miserable to get up, and
at length left her to her maid andwent
down to breakfast alone, ponderini what
steps l should take. l had hardly
poured out my coffee when Sormont
came in. He held an open Letter in his
hand, and seemed quite aleE and cheer
full.
''Good morning." he begin, eagerly.
eve heard from my sister She is in
London; has come up on purose to meet
me and wants me to join helto-day."
Indeed" said 1, absenly. your
sister-Mrs. Macdonald-into wn-oh!'
Stormont looked at me, Surprised.
ANY thing the matter" he said.
Lady Dennis not well?"
"Well, yes, something is he matter"
said l. Something deucedy disagree
able has happened. My wits diamonds
have been stolen"
Good Lordr' exclaimed stormont.
Hcwas so taken aback tina he literally
fell into chair and sat thee staring at
me.
Those diamonds?" he aid at last.
'Those splendid diamonds: l have no
words. Did you lock them lp?"
No" l replied; 1--WE been a con-
founded fool. But the diimonds were
close to us, and we don't sleep heavily"
"Whom do you suspect?" asked Stor-
mont. - HEa ax III.
mo one," l said. Gail 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 do any thing in town? 1 must
go up by the 3:15."
We discussed the subject all morning,
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 rougues would b. til
and the uIalnonuS reUo,------s. v
'You are very sanguine," said she.
You seem quite well to-day, Mr.. Stor-
mont
Il feel much better, d" he replied. "Joy
is fine doctor, and the expectation Of
seeing my sister has made another man
of me. Then this atrocious burglary eX-
cites 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 sat
isfactory than letters"
drove Stormont to the station. By
his advice | had not called in the local
police, but telegraphed to London for a
detective, and | should meet him by a
train which would arrive soon after the
3:15 departed.
by the way" said Stormont, as we
stood waiting on the platform, ''about
Colonel l. Estrange-what was he like?''
about your height" l said. Thin
and fair, with long beard and longish
hair: not military looking at ALL
a very peculiar expression came over
Stormonts face, and he whistled softly.
MY dear fellow" he said, that's
your burglar How these rascals get to
know things passes my comprehension,
but somehow they do. l have a friend
"a Colonel l. 'Estrange-but he is stout
and extremely dark, and wears a mus
tache only. Depend upon it, that fellow
hoaxed you. wonder he didn't pay his
attention to the duchess diamonds ALSO
So he had. A gentleman came up at
the moment and after shaking hands
said eXcitedly:
Heard the news, Demise"
''Only my own, Shaw" replied, dis.
mally. my wife's diamonds have been
stolen.''
''By iove!" cried Shaw. "And the
duchess lost twenty of her finest Ola;
monds last night-cut off her dress
while the detectives stood by"
We told him about L'Estrange, and he
listened with interest.
| ''We think it is celebrated burglar
of the name of Paxton, alias Grubb," he
said, lowering his voice. That's what
the police think. They say no other
man could have done it"
81 thought Paxton was safely out oil
the way" said Stormont. "Surely re-
member hearing of him when 1 was a
lad. Wasn't he concerned in the great
diamond robbery at Grey Towers in '69?'
,,yoe ,o,oIiod Chou,