San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-07-02

by uncolling and taking the ring TO
pieces, a most delicate bit of work,
The idea in Graham's mind was that
this ring would be worn day and night,
so fastened on that it could not be re.
moved from his finger in sleep without
waking or killing him, and that he
would thus ever have at his command
a large sum of ready money. Some
covetous thief might possibly wrest the
secret from him. What then? He
could not get at the diamonds without
smashing the ring to bits, and running
the risk of running them, He could not
dispose of it, for it was registered at
the London police headquarters, and a
circular description of it had been far
warded to the principal dealers
in precious stones the world over.
The locket, whose exterior is mum Der
of such rings intertwined in bas.relief,
was set inside with an equal number of
precious stones. Once locked, it
could only be opened by the uninltiated
by smashing it, running the same risk
to the stones as in the case of the ring.
snow to the point. If the Count de
Fooliers, as believe, is the murderer
of Graham, he has that ring and hat
locket in his possession. He would
not be apt to wear them in England,
where he might at any moment STUN
BILE on one of Graham's acquaintance
and be caught. He would feel COM
paratively safe in wearing them in this
country, or here in st. Louis-safer,
very likely, than he would in leaving
them locked up in his room in
the Lindell, or deposited in the hotel
safe. One who should meet him at the
Lebourgeoises would run good chance
of seeing him with the ring, or locket,
or both, on"
Archer might have told all this very
differently and more dramatically had
he guessed a certain fact-that Paul
had actually met the Count wearing
very MUCH such ring on his little fin
ger. Had Archer known this he would,
no doubt, have tried to startle Paul
into some tell-tale EXPLANATIONS. AS it
was, he simply attempted the role of
a straightforward statement, thinking
that his best cue. He did not notice,
therefore, that Paul was controlling
more or less excitement as the state
ment progressed. 's@s
'To make an opportunity to see the
Count at the Leborgeoises as often as
possible when off his guard" continued
Archer, land to note his wearing any
suoh ring or loclSet, would not certainly
be anything, it seems to me, that you
ought to object to, even If my story
does seem wild. But l will not press
it now. will give you a chance to
sleep on it, and perhaps to think it over
even longer. It's late, isn't it? Yes,
o'clock, Archer added, answering his
own question by consulting his watch
"A clock is something l won't have in
my apartments anywhere | don
want to be brought face to face with
eternity by a chance glance or sound
prefer to note the fugitive progress
of time with strict intent and for
busineSe only, and so carry al
hunting-case watch in my least get,
at-able pocket We will take a
long snooze. l will write Abe that
you'are working up something with
me on the quiet, and to give you a
light assignment and not expect you tc
show up to the office before afternoon.
That will make that all right. Just
beyond those portieres you will find
a bedroom with an extra bed in it. |
Take fresh pajama out of the drawer,
and by the time you have turned in
will be ready to join you"
Paul was glad to escape further in
QUESTION and did as he was told. Mean
while Archer wrote his note, sealed, |
directed it, and shot it down slide. A
boy in the drug store below, whom
Archer employed for various purposes,
would see to its delivery in the morn.
ing.
raul found the bed very comforta BILE
and the bedroom very ordinary.
Archer's odd taste did not evidently
extend to hiE sleeping hours. Both
slept soundly pntil morning, or, rather,
100 o'clock the next afternoon. Some.
thing over twepty-four hours had
elapsed when Paul awoke since we
first made his acquaintance. A great
deal can be crowded into twenty-foul
hours. So Paul thought as he sleepily
rubbed his eyes, and realized that a
delicate aroma of coffee was inviting
him to rise. The next thing was an
from Archer, who was
already dressed. Brace up, if you
want to tub"
An appetizing breakfast awaited
Paul, served by the family of the
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