Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-10-02

to.cau both Of you and Charles to con-
sider what ought to be done before we
make any move"
Have you an inventory of the jewels?'
asked Marston at length.
''None," said Sir George, unless Mid
deton had one from Sir John"
thereupon recap.tulated in full ali
the circumstances Of the bequest, finally
adding that Sir John had never 80 much
as mentioned An inventory.
80 much the better for the thief"
said Marston, his chin in his hands. "It
Is not n case for detective" he added.
81 think not" said Charles.
a kind of hoarse, ghostly laugh came
from the bed.
'Charles is always right" whispered
the sick man. "Quite unnecessary, l
am sure"
''Oh, don't know" 1 said, feeling
had not yet been of as much assistance
as could have wished. ''Now think
detectives are of use-really useful, yor.
know, in finding out things. There
was detective, remember, trying TO
trace the people who murdered that
poor lady at James old house since my
return"
But who could it have been? who
could it have been?' burst out Ralph.
unheeding. They were all friends. 1t
is frightful TO suspect one of them. One
could as easily suspect ones self. Which
Of them all could have done thing
like that? Out Of them all, which was
it?'
Carr replied Charles quietly, look
ing full at his father.
II "a bombshell had fallen among Us at
that moment it could not have produced
greater effect than that one word, ut
tered so deliberately. Sir George started
in his bed and clutched at the bed clothes
with both hands. My brain positively
reeled. Carr. my friend Carr, introduced
into the family by myself, was being &C.
cused by Charles! was speechless with
Indignation.
II am sorry, Middleton" continued
Charles. II know he is your friend, but
can't help that. Carr took the jewels.
I Idistrusted him from the moment he set
foot in the house"
Where is he at this instanty said
Marston. getting up. ''1s no one with
hi1nT'
There Is no need to be anxious on his
account" replied Charles. Il took him
up to the smoking room before 1 came
here, and turned the key in the door.
The key Is here" And he laid it ON the
table.
Marston sat down again.
What are your grounds for suspect
ing Carr" he asked. Remember this is
avery serious thing, Charles, that you
have done in locking him up if you have
not adequate reason for it."
"You had better leave Carr alone.
Charles" said Ralph, significantly.
Let him go on" said Sir George.
81 have no proof" continued Charles;
81 did not see him take them, but am
as certain of it as if had seen it with
my own eyes. The jewels could only
have been stolen by someone staying in
the house. That is certain. Who, ex,
cepting Carr, was stranger among us
Who, excepting Carr
''Stop, Charles" said Ralph again
Don't you know that Carr slept with
me down at the lodge:"
Charles turned on his brother and
gripped his shoulder.
do you mean to say" he said sharp
ly, that Carr did not sleep in the house
last night?"
Dear me. Charles, that was an over
sight on your part" came Sir Georges
whisper.
NO" replied Ralph, ''he did not. The
house was full, and we had to put him il
that second small room through mine il
the lodge. If Carr had been dying t.
take them he had nos the opportunity
He could not have left his room withou
passing through mine, and l never wen
to sleep at all. 1 had sharp touch O
neuralgia from the cold, which kept n'
awake all night"
HE got out through the window,
said Charles.
"Nonsense!" said Ralph, getting visi
bly, angry; s'you are only making mat
ters worse by trying to put it on him
Remember the size of the window. Be
hdes you know how the lodge stands
built against the garden wall When
came out this morning there was not [
angle footstep in the anow except thos
we had made as we went there the nigh
before noticed our footmarks particu
larly, because had been afrnd ther
any possibility have left the house durinI
tho night. Even Jones himself had no
been out, for there was little eddy o
mow before the back door, and I re
member calling to him that he woul
want his broom"
"The snow clinches the matter
Charles" said Marston, gravely. "Yo
have made mistake"
"Quite unintentional, Tn sure" whis
pered Sir George.
There was something did not ik
about that whisper. It seemed to impl
more than met the ear.
Charles did not appear to hear him
He was staring ixedly before him, hi
hand had dropped from Ralph's shoulder
his face was quite gray.
'Then," he said slowly. as if wakin
out Of a dream, sit was not Carr"
mo-" said Sir George, "Inever though
1t was"
Good God! calculated Charles, sink
ing into a low chair by the fire, an
shading his face with his hand. ''No
Carr, after allr'
But my indignation could not be N
strained @ moment longer. 1 had onl
been kept silent by repeated signs fror
Marston. and now broke out.
"And 30, sir, you suspect my friend,
Isaid. land insult him In your father
house by turning the key On him. Yo
endeavor to throw suspicion on a ma
who never injured you in the shghtes
degree. You insult me in insulting m
friend, sir. Suspicion Is not always sue
an easy thing to shake off as 1t has bee
in this instance. on my side might as
what you were doing, walking about th
passages in your socks at o'clock thi
morning. In your socks, sir, still /
your evening clothes
had spoken in anger, not thinkin
much what I was saying, and I stoppe
short, alarmed at the effect Of my ow
words.
II knew I'll I knew it!' gasped 81
George, In his hoarse, sufocated voict
and he fell back painting among his pi
lows.
Charles took his hand from his fac
and looked hard at me with strang
kind Of smile.
eat any rate we are quits, Middleton,