The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-09-06

up. In few words of mangled English
Mr. Van Straaten explained. y group
of interested passengers stood around.
Il talk to Miss Norman for leedle
time.' cried Mr.. Van Straaten.
90 then to my CABIN; find there my
precious diamonds vanished.
''They cant have gone far. sir,
said the Captain.
''They have no need to go at all.
Eight tousand bounds worth all gone.
must know now quickly who has
stole them alretty.
ANY suspicion?' asked the Cap
tain.
I'm not so sure | am not SO sure.
Anybody on board seen them
"Von only person. Mr.. Greig, If
you please, come here. | show you my
precious diamonds, amt 1t, two days
after we leave Calcutta:'
THAT is So, said Greig cheerfully.
And very magnificent diamonds they
were. remember telling you that /
wished one or two were mine then, SO
that | might give them to If"
He stopped
Il suppose we shall have to search
the cabins, = said the Captain of the
Bengal Its a fearful nuisance,
ladies' and gentlemen; but it can't be
helped. May we begin with yours,
Mr.. Greig:"
Il really don't know protested
/ Greig, why | should have my cabin
upset and turned out Just because
81 desire that Mr.. Greig's cabin
should be searched" said Mr.. Van
| Straaten insistently.
That settles it, them said Henry
Greig, carelessly. Fire away. III
! come down with you.
The crowd went below and stood IN
the corridor while the examination was
progressing. Elsie Norman, hearing
| the noise. left her aunt, and, rather
red at eyes. came forward. The Cap
tain. Mr.. Van Straaten. the chief
steward. and Henry Grcig reappeared
at the door Of the cabin. The old
gentleman bore leather case very care
fully in his arms. THE diamonds
have been found. " announced the Cap
tain of the Bengal. seriously. ." We
shall not have to trouble you, ladies
and gentlemen. They were only or
binary folk. rather bored by the tedious
ness of the journey from Calcutta, and
they coulu not help showing a certain
relish over the diversion. Most pain
full affair, really" Case found under
the pillow in the berth. " Seemed
such an honest fellow. too.
"My dear said Mrs. Renton bitter
lly, "it docsn' do TO trust any one
nowadays You never know who
who. .
But you'd think really on P. 4
0. steamship"
Pm sorry for that poor Miss Nor
man. She was engaged to him, you
know
"Oh. that's broken off quite def,
nitely. | heard her telling the old
German so. The old fellow as ked her
what was the matter. and she told
him. He was partner of her faith
er's, you know. and he seemed much
concerned about it. You see, dear, !
wasn't exactly listening, but
But you heard, dear that's the
main point. Come into my cabin and
see my new serge dress. y
They went aft, leaving Greig at the
door of his cabin. He was holding the
sides to prevent himself from falling.
Other passengers went past his cabin.
keeping carefully to the other side OF
the narrow corridor. Not one of then
spoke to him. but they all spoke tt
each other.
"What does this mean" cried Henry
Greig. do they all suspect me Of
Harry
\ soft white hand on his arm with {
kindly pressure. He turned and seized
it gladly.
Elsie. aren't you. too going IL
, follow them
"Tell me first what it all means. -
1t cid not take long to put the CIR
into possession of the facts. Her face
famed red with indignation.
"And they dare to think that yot
would do q thing like that
We'll" said Greig uneasily. tine.
found the things there. you see. IT.
circumstantial evidence of rather al
awkward kind. But needn't tell you
Miss Norman"
"My name is still Elsie
NV dear girl. | needn't tel yol
that i shouldn't dream of taking poo
Van Straaten's diamonds, or anvhod.
else Is. -
Il am quite sure of that Harry.
must see him about it She repinnet
her straw hat with a decided air
I'VE two must stand together now
whatever happens.
Elsie. hadn't you better iet n
fight il out alone? The truth is nearl
T sure to come out sooner or later
: and"
"In the meantime, dear, you vi
!. have to forget our stupid quarrel {
! this morning. / was quite wrong"
$50 was /. said Greig, promptly.