Middletown transcript., 1892-10-20

ring for Ler-I admit that much, Far
leigh" and with laugh the superin-
tendent passed ont into the street.
1t was several days before the two
men met again.
Anything going on at Uhler
avenue ?" the superintendent inquired,
pointing with his thumb over bis
shoulder in the direction Of the house.
Captain Farleigh shook his head.
"The hinges of the front door have
good chance to grow rusty this rainy
weather." he remarked. II doubt if
it has been opened since the lady pass
ed through it to 60 to you. Lang has
grown quite excited over it-had
glimpse of the lady's face at the win
dow once, and has raved over her ever
since as wildly as you did. believe
he's watching the house now by night
as well as by day, though I've no
idea what for. Perhaps he has"
"How about the suspicious John
Cheyne ?"
81 should judge from Willis report
that he's about as harmless an idiot as
you could find; knows enough to get
drunk occasionally, but even then
generally has some one at his elbow to
Jog it for him, He never took that
ring-that I could swear to-unless it
were left under his nose"
"Who did, then ?"
ga question easier asked taan
answered"
The superintendent shrugged his
shoulders.
81 hate TO find myself SO far out of
my reckoning. I'd counted on max
ing an easy job of this matter. Posi-
lively was fool enough to believe
that ! could find that ring in the first
pawnshop, and so far I've not dis
covered it anywhere inside the station
district. There's another development
in that diamond ring case, Farleigh.
I had another note from the lady this
morning"
"Another note ! You, don't mean
to say that"
eyes, I've written to her several
times.
And what in the world"
"About the ring, of course. I've
told her what we were doing, and how
little reason young Cheyne had given
to confirm my suspicion Of him. I
knew that would please her, as it's
easy to see that she's extremely fond
of the boys mother"
The captain was laughing, and as
the chief slapped him on the shoulder
he laughed in his turn.
"Oh, it's no use. I'm not quite
sucn fool as that-don't believe it!
But it's been a little excitement-a
little recreation. It's done me good,
and I warrant it hasn't hurt her.
Hurt her! That woman has done
one hurt, if I'm not mistaken, that will
last her for. her life. And every
breath she breathes is devoted to the
memory of some dear love or other.
Happy ghost! I'd almost be willing
to change places with him, whoever
or whatever he is. 'Tisn't her hus-
band, that's sure. Look at this !"
As he talked he took from his
pocket and unfolded the note Of which
he had spoken, pointing to the elabor-
ate monogram at the top Of the sheet.
"That's superb so far" the captain
said, examining it with great interest.
The superintendent read it aloud
"Mrs. Westervelt desires to again
express her sincere thanks to the
superintendent of police for the great
interest he has shown in the matter
upon which his advice was solicited,
but begs that be will make no further
investigation, as she has reason to be-
lieve that she has herself found the
clew to the disappearance cf her
property"
Captain Farleigh gave low whistle,
and then laughed.
"Your correspondent does not seem
to have passed beyond the first formal
itiez, chief"
81 cant fatter myself that it ever
would, cap; but I've taken no end of
comfort just in those. It's easy
enough TO see how man could break
his heart over a woman like that. |
should pity a fellow who loved her
hopelessly-mind you, | don't propose
to try that little experiment. I wish
you could see her for yourself once.
But sentiment aside, cap, I'd nightly
like to know what clew she's found to
this business, and I'm blest if | don't
ind out"
He did this in straightforward
way. He called in person at the ele-
giant house in Uhler avenue, and was
ushered in by the housekeeper. through
the seldom-used front door, into tiny
but magni6cently furnished reception
room. He sent up no card. "a gen.
tleman on business" was the message
delivered by the servant to her