The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-02-13
THE RAJAH'S HEIRLOOM
ny FLORENCE MARtYAT.
Author of"IIer Lord aud MaStsr," Etc.
sYNOpSTS

Autnor oIalter IoFu anu H"Netf "
SYNOPSIS.
John gusby. Scotland Yard detect
I've. is sent TO Manninsford to investi-
gste tho roDucry Of diamond necklace
worth 10000 pounds. This beIoa6ed 70
sir Henry Ello0mere. who has JUST died.
and the Jewels were found missing az
ter the reading OF the Will. Busoy puts
up at the hotel, and oerhears the GUS
toners discussing the matter. one OF
whom suspects the young wife OF Slr
Henry to have taken them.
PART II.
1 listened to their talk, but. OF course,
/ said nothing. SO that was the way
the land lay. thought to myself II
was true that little dependence was 10
be placed on these bucolic opinions.
yet a long experience had taught me
that there was seldom smoke without
fire. l tried 10 maintain n unnretu-
diced mind, but II Is difficult to eNtin-
guish a train of thought, once lighted.
and found myself thinking there
might be a good zeal Of sense In the la
borer's surmise.
AS soon us my breakfast wos con-
cluded and could leave the hotel with
out creating suspicion as TO my errand
] made my way quIeuy TO The GABLES
and, sending In my card. inquired Tor
Sir Charles Ellesmere. The old butter
who answered the door to me glanced
at the card and .ner at me. and said,
quietly: n...,.
been a terrible upset here!"
80 understand. What is your
name?"
Goddard, sir, and I've been man and
hoy In The Gables ever since the late
master came home from the East IN
dies. now forty years ago."
"Ah; Then dare say you'll be 3
valuable adjunct in this matter. shall
have u talk with you, Goddard. by ana
by. At present my first business Is
with your master"
pleasev And the butler preceded me
into u handsome .rary, well furnished
with book shelves.
In another minute the door reopened
and Sir Charles Eiiesmcre, dressed In
deep mourning, stood before me. He
was a slngularly handsome young man,
enough looking pale and careworrl. He
motloned me TO a seat and took one him
self.
''You wired to Scotland Yard for me
yesterday. understand, Sir Charles?"
commenced.
81 did. There has been most serious
robbery committed on these premises,
and suppose, Mr.. Busby." he said,
looking at my card, which he held In
his hand, that / must tell you every
thing know concerning it,"
at would be better, Sir Charles" l
replied. Perhaps you will begin by
describing the Jewels you have lost"
Il know very little abut jewelry,"
he said. but they were magnificent,
and my late father has often told me
that they were valued ut from twenty
five TO thirty thousand pounds.
"They must have been unique to have
cost that sum-" remarked.
HE did not buy them; they were
gift TO him for services received. Be-
fore he came into the title he was an
officer In the East India company's
service and saved the life OF the rnjah
of Tanibore. whose kingdom was in
state of mutiny, in order to Qucll which
the company had volunteered the as
sistance OF one OF their regiments, in
watch my father held the rank OF lieu
tenant. In return for his service the
rajah. who was deeply grateful, pre-
scented him With the ornament from
his turhan, which comprised some OF
the state Jewels. and begged that It
should be handed down In his family US
an heirloom. Shortly afterwards my
father came into his title and property
--he returned to England and settled
down here-he married, and am the
sole issue OF his marriage
You considered then, Sir Charles,
that the rajah's heirloom would nat-
urnlly descend to you and your children
after you?"
II have been tola so. times out Of
mind When was q mere infant and
my father was proud OF me. he used to
produce these Jewels for me 10 play
with, and tell me they were my own.
! never dreamt, for moment, that 1t
would be otherwise. until-until-"
Until what? II am to assist You
In this matter, Sir Charles. you must
please to be quite candid with me.
You must not from false dellcacy keep
back anythIng!"
'Weil. then, will say that, until my
father married again, never thought
II possible that he would disregard the
rajah's wish concerning them!"
THE late baronet married a second
time, then? The present Lady Files
mere Ia not your mother!"
20! dear no! My mother died when
was aout sixteen"
And your present age. Sir Charles?"
Twenty-Five on my last birthday"
This lady whom your late father
married, Is she young?"
Very young. In comparison with
him-about thirty. should think"
"And-pardon the qucstion-may