Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1894-05-04

in the Italian style-a style not un-
suited to that unclouded sky, and the
surrounding scenery. The view from
the belvedere was incredibly beauti-
full, and indeed justified the high
sounding name given to the valley
il overlooked.
THAT is house worthy of Edith"
thought "Oh, that it were mine
TO offer herm
1t would be time wasted to enter
into my business transactions win,
Colonel Kinks. Suffice it B
say that my ardent wish Vas
realized. and that in less than
month from my arriving in
San Diego entered into possession,
OF the beautiful property. Doubtless
it was hazardous undertaking for
one who knew nothing whatever Of
the business; but what hazard is too
great for man whose object is to
win the woman he loves? That the
money l invested was not my own
did not lessen the risk ran. but in
creased it; for, unless / could show q
reasonable probability OF repaying
Sir Edmund's loan. l could not de-
mand Edith's hand.
Early in November / received q
letter from Sir Edmund. Among
other things, he wrote
1.-The robbery is still mystery
to me il is greater mystery than
ever. Van Hoeck has taken lodg-
ings in the village. / have met him
twice in the woods, a wild. deplora-
Bile object, and. indeed, pitiable. if
one may doubt his completely in the
robbery. Once he was upon his
hands and knees, cropping among the
ferns, as If he expected to find there
the lost diam ond; but he chooses the
night for these eXpeditions-proba-
bly, because he is then less open to OBJ
servation. The keepers tell me that
he passes the whole night, and every
night in this hopeless search. Why
on earth should he do this, il he and
Brace got possession of the diamond,
as we SUPPOSE"
In a postscript he added-'Mr.
Furnival, dating from Haxel's hotel,
London, wrote asking me for your
address. Ireplied that you were at
San Diego, California.
The news with regard to Van Hoecl1
did not add greatly to the mystery
in which this strange man was
already involved; but the postscript
was a new source OF perplexity to me.
l knew no one OF the name of Furni-
val; | could not recollect having
spoken TO any one of Sir Edmund
while was in London.
How, then, could this Mr.. Furni-
val have known where to apply for
my address? | expected a letter
from him to clear up this matter,
but no letter came.
A few days later l received O
letter addressed to me at Monken
Abbey. and re-addressed in Sir
Fdmund's hand. Turning to the
signature l found it was from Brace.
1t was dated October 18th. Peters.
VILE, NeYada county. The Judge
then was in California, within 9
days journey OF me. was not sur,
priscd at this, knowing his PARTIAL.
" for the state, but it was irrecon
cila5!e with the supposition that he
and Van Hoeck had the diamond.
He wrote thus
Il rite these lines fur to show
where l am lokated, and likewise
that have not slinked off like {
thief in the night TO hide my lite!
under busheL If things amt NJ
forarder than Vhey was in the di
rection of clearin up what's become
of the Great Iiesper they amt any
ways no backarder.
II Amt no use promisin without
you are got it right inter yer to per.
form, but | will allow that / AIM
goin' to chuck up the cards befor,
I've made you shake my hand and &C
knowledge I've played square, The
Kid is frettin, and things in genal i
not lively with your pardner.
Jos BRACE"
/ did not reply to this letter.
heard again from Sir Edmund at the
end OF November. His letter wa
dated the 2Jth. He felicitated me
heartily upon the purchase / baC
made. and added the warmest wishe
for my success.
TO BE CONTINUED.