The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-10-08

We're is the Captain ?" he screamed
81 insist. Pring me all at once the
Captain.
The Captain of the Bengal hurried
up. In a few words of mangled Eng,
lish Mr.. Van Straaten explained. A
group of interested passengers stood
around.
81 talk to Miss Norman for leedlo
time" cried Mr. Van Straaten. 81
go then to my CABIN; find there my
precious diamonds vanished"
"They can't have gone far, sir" said
the Captain.
"They have no need to go at all.
Eight tousand bounds worth all gone.
/ must know now queokly who has
stole them alretty."
ANY suspicion ?" asked the Captain.
81 am not SO sure. am not so
sure"
"Anybody on board seen them?"
lyon person only. Mr.. GreiS, il
youplease come here. i show you my
precious diamonds, amt it, 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"
He stopped.
81 suppose wo shall have to search
the cabins" said the Captain of the
Bengal. cts fearful nuisance,
ladies and gentlemen; but it can't he
helped, May We begin with yours,
MIR. Greig?"
81 really don't know" protested
Greig, 'why l should have my cabin
upset and turned out just because
81 desire that Mr.. Greig's cabin
should be searched" said Mr.. Van
Strnaten insistently.
"That settles it, them" said Henry
Greig, carelessly. "Flre away. I'll
come down with you"
The crowd went below and stood in
the corridor while the examination
was progressing. Elsie Norman, hear
ing the noise, left her aunG, and,
rather red at eyes, came forward. The
Captain, Mr.. Van Straaten, the chief
steward, and Henry Greig reappeared
Mt the door of the cabin. The old
German bore leather case very care
fully i'll his arms.
"The diamonds have been found, -
announced the Captain of the Bengal,
seriously. eve shall not have to
trouble You, ladies and gentlemen"
They were only ordinary folk,
rathered bored by the tediousness OF
the journey from Calcutta, and they
could not help showing certain relish
over the diversion.
"Most painful affair, really"
Cease found under the pillow in the
berth"
Seemed such an honest fellow,
too"
"My DEAR" said Mrs. Rcnton bit
terly, cit doesn't do to trust any one
nowadays. You never know who's
who"
"But you'd think really on p. & o.
Steamship"
"I'm sorry for that poor Miss Nor
man. She was engaged to him, you
know"
ooh, that's broken off quite definite
ly. | heard her telling the old Ger
man SO. The old fellow asked her
what was the matter, and she told him.
He was II partner of her fathers, you
know, and he seemed much concerned
about it. You see, dear, wasn't ex.
actly listening. but"
But you heard, dear-that's the
main point. Come into my cabin and
see my new serge dress.
They won't aft, leaving Grcig at the
door Of his cabin. He was holding
the sides to prevent himself from fall
Ing. Other passengers went past his
cnbin, keeping carefully to the other
side of the narrow corridor. Not one
of them spoke to him, but they all
spoke to each other,
'What does this smear? o. cried Henry
Greig. "Do they allsuspect me Of
Harry ~
A soft white hand on his arm with
n kindly pressure. He turned and
seized it gladly,
Elsie! Aren't you, too, going to
follow them"
"Iell me first what il III means"
1t did not take long to put the girl
into possession of the facts. Her face
famed red with Indignation.
"And they dare to think that you
would do a thing like thut?"
"Well," SAID Grcig uneaslly, "they
found the things there, You see. Its
circumstnntial evidence Of rather an
awkward kind But / needn't tell
you, Miss Norman"
"My name is still Elsie"
Only dear girl! j needn't toll YOU
that ! shouldn't dream Of taking poor
old Van Straatcn's diamonds, or any
body clsc's
81 am quito sure of that Harry.
must see him aboutit." She repinncC
her straw hat with decided ar. eve
two must stand together now, what.
ever happens.
elsie, hadn't You better let me
iightit out alone? Tho truth is nearly
sure to come out sooner or later
and -"
In the meantime, dear, you vii
have to forget cur stupid quarrel OF
this morning. ! was quito wrong"
SO was ], said Greig, promptly.
A man has no business TO kiss cir
as she IS ascending the gangway Of
+. d.. .. steamship II has been done,
no doubt, on more than one occasion
| but II is nearly always an act TO bo