The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-02

woman mas done before her. One protested
that the love of music was the sole bond
between them, and so I let her have her
own way.
One afternoon [ was standing in the
conservatory, which opened out of the
drawing room and was concealed by drap-
cries, when I heard the sound of voices,
which Immediately recognized as belong
ing to Gerard and Miss Hillyard Before
had time to move a fragment of their
conversation reached me, which made me
feel extremely uneasy. Gerard's tones
sounded pleading. yes imperative, and I
could just see through q division in the
drapery that Ter hand was closely clasped
in his, and her head rested on his breast.
So You want money, and you must have
it," | heard him say.
81 want money, and I must have It,
she repeated after him. Then their voices
dropped to whisper, but l had heard
sufficient to give me food for reflection.
Here was girl environed with luxury,
with parent of undisputed wealth who
never refused her anything, making con-
fessions of poverty to man to whom a
few weeks before she had been an absolute
stranger. 1 decided to say nothing to her
mother, but to await further developments
tapis which for the time turned my
thoughts in another direction.
For some time past series of cleverly
planned robberies had taken place in the
hotel. Watches, jewelry and cash had dis
appeared from the visitors rooms in the
most mysterious manrsf Among the
greatest victims was Mrs. Hillyard, who
missed splendid parure of diamonds
The manager, who was thoroughly hon
est, straightforward fellow, was greatly
upset, the more SO as Mrs. Hillyard had
threatened to bring an action against the
proprietors for the value of her property.
AS had plenty of time on my hands, I
promised to assist him in trying to discov.
er the thief.
AS rule / never entered my room after
dinner till I finally retired for the night,
but on this particular evening discovered
that my cigar case was empty and went
up stairs to replenish it. The door was
slightly ajar, and what was my amaze
ment on walking III to see Evelyn Hillyard
with my cashbook open before her, and
the contents in her hands. / was too star
tied to say word and stood rooted to the
spot just inside the doorway, through
which she must pass. In silence I watched
her drop the goldpieces into her pocket
there were but five of them, as I had pre-
viously settled my bill-then she closed
the lid, locked it with a key which she
carried and walked out of the room. Her
eyes had the same peculiar expression
that noticed in them the day met her
on the stairs when Gerard was playing,
and now, as then, she seemed quite un-
conscious of my presence.
This was psychological study indeed
l felt it was well worth the 95 I had lost
and more too. l was greatly perplexed
as to the best course to pur to take in
this most difficult position. 1ne poor child
was undoubtedly acting under the infiu-
ence OF the scoundrel Gerard. To expose
her was out of the question. 1t would
deal a deathblow to her mother and her
self. determined to tackle Gerard, make
him acknowledge his villainy and return
all the stolen articles, which were undoubt-
eu1y III his possession. bu1 IN tnls reck-
oneo wlthou5 my most, Tor the following
morning the gentleman was non est. On
making INQUIRIES, I was informed that
Mr.. Gerard had received an urgent tele-
gram. summoninp him to the deathbed of
an uncle.
Poor Evelyn was very Respondent all