The Press., 1892-05-26

l the wardrobe door must have been fi1Ag l open, for streak of light struck through a crack in the wood of the back. Creep ing close and peeping through could see an awful sight. Lady Carwitcllet 1 in flannel wrapper, minus hair, teeth, complexion, pointing skinny forefingei that quivered with rage at her son, whc was out of range of my vision.
 I .sStop that, and throw those keys down here directly, or I'll rouse the . house. Sir Thomas is magistrate, and will lock you up as soon as look at you. She clutched at the bell rope as she spoke, ssI'll swear Pm i'll danger of my life from you and give you in charge. Yes, and when you're in prison I'll keep you there till you die. I've often thought l I'd do it. How about the hotel robber- ies last summer at Cowes, eh? Mightn't the police be grateful for a hint or two? And how about
 ] < The keys fell with crash on the bed, accompanied by some bad language in an apologetic tone, and the door slammed to. crept trembling to bed.
 This new and horrible complication | of the situation filled me with dis may. Lord Carwitchet's wolfish glance at my rubies took new meaning They were safe enough, believed but the sapphire! If he disbelieved his mother, how long would she be able to keep it from his clutches? That she had some plot of her own, of which the bishop would eventually be the victim, | I did not doubt, or why had she not made her bargain with him long ago? l D,,k Ina friO oh head, allowed her son to wrest the jewel from her or gave consent to its being mutilated, divided. lay in a cold per spiration till morning.
 My terrors haunted me all day. They were with me at breakfast time, when l Lady Carwitchet, tripping in smiling, made last attempt to induce me to ac- company her and keep her Bad, bad boyi" from getting among "those horrid betting 1nenT
 They haunted me through the long peaceful day with Leta and the tete-a- tete dinner, but they swarlned around and beset me sorest when, sitting alone over my sitting room fire, listened for | the return of the drag party. l read my newspaper and brewed myself some hot ] strong drink, but there comes time of Il night when no fire can warm and no drink can cheer. The bishops despair ing face kept me company, and his troubles and the wrongs of the future heir took possession of me. Then the uncanny noises that make all old houses ghostly during the small hours began to make themselves heard. Muffled foot steps trod the corridor, stopping to listen at every door, door latches gently clicked, boards creaked unreasonably, sounds of stealthy movements came from the locked up bathroom.
 The welcome crash of wheels at last and the sound of the front door bell. l could hear Lady Carwitchet making her shrill adieu to her friends and her steps in the corridor. She was softly hum ming little song as she approached. l heard her unlock her bedroom door be- fore entering-an odd thing to do. Tom came sleepily stumbling to his room later. put my head out. "Where is I Lord Carwitctlet?'
 Haven't you seen him? He left us hours ago. Not come home, ell? We'll, he's welcome to stay away. don't want to see more of him." Toms brow was dark and his voice surly Il gave him to understand asmuch." Whatever had happened Tom was evidently too dis gusted to explain just then.
 went back to my fire unaccountably relieved, and brewed myself another and stronger brew. It warmed me this time, but excited me foolishly. There must be some way out of the difficulty. felt now as if could almost see it if I gave my mind to it. Why-suppose- there might be no difficulty after alli The bishop was q nervous old gentleman He might have been mistaken all through, Bogaerts might have been mis- taken, might No. Icould not have been mistaken-or l thought not. idgeted and fumed and argued with l myself til 1 found l should have no peace of mind without "a look at the stone in my possession, and l actually went to the safe and took the case out.
 The sapphire certainly looked different by lamplight. sat and stared and all but overpersuaded by better judgment into giving it q verdict. Bogaert's mark -I suddenly remembered it. took my magnifier and held the pendant to 1 stone, was the Greek Beta!
 There came d tap on my door, and before could answer the handle turned softly and Lord Carwitchet stood be- fore me- whipped the case into ny l dressing gown pocket and stared at him. He was not pleasant to look at especially at that time of night. He I had disheveled, desperate air, his l voice was hoarse, his red trimmed eyes I wild l '.I beg your pardon" he began civil ly enough. "I saw your light burning, and thought, as we go l'y the early train tomorrow, you might allow me to consult you now on a little business l of my mothers" His eyes roved about the room. Was he trying to find the whereabouts of my safe? You know a lot about precious stones. don't you?' i .''So my friends are klnd enough to say. Won't you sit down! l have un- luckily little chance of indulging the taste on my own account" was my eau tious reply. .,-
 "But you've written book about them, and know them when you see them, don't youy" Now, my mother has given me something, and would like you to give guess at its value. Perhaps you can put me in the way of disposing of it?"
 'sI certainly can do so if it is worth anything. Is that it?' was in a fever of excitement, for guessed what was clutched in his palm. He held out to me the Valdez sapphire.
 How it shone and sparkled, like a great blue star. made myself smile a deprecating smile as took it from him, but how dare I @.ll it false to it's face: As well accuse the sun ill heaven of being cheap imitation. faltered and prevaricated feebly. Where was my moral courage, and where was the good, honest, humping lie that should have