Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-22
CHAPTER vIII-THE RIVALS.

For some moments the two men
looked at one another; and then MAJOR
Jen. seeing the necessity for prompt
action, rang the bell. Jaggard entered
with military swiftneSs, and sJareu
blankly at his master, who was point
ing at the wall; an action ineXpucaOle
10 the servant at that moment.
Where is the devil-stick?' demand
ed Jen, wrathfully.
THE what, sir?" asked Jaggard'
doubtfully.
"Tbe green stick with the gold han
die which was placed among the wea-
pons here. 1t is gone. What has be-
Jaggard advanced to the trophy OF
weaDons and examined them with
some elaboration. after which he
turned 10 face the irate Major.
"Tt's gone sure enough, sir, but L
\ don't know where.
"Yind out if any Of the servants have
taken it." hi.
Jaggard saluted and vanished, while
his master walked up and down the
room. tuning at the loss OF the Gu
: riositv He had all the talk 70 MIN
Z -. -. ..-ls-l s-toac mind was busy
H7FIth cOnjectures as TO DIDO or DIT. IT.
valid being the thief. did not think IL
Necessary to speak. In a rev minutes
Jaggard returned with the news ina ma
none Of the servants had oeen III 'A-
smoking room that evening .,5o5
"Who lighted the lamp! uei-Sl''''O
Jen sharply.
'I did. sir"
we found the window open when
- IN - said Maurice Did you
ives sir. The Major told me to al
vavs air the room during dinner
"Do YOU think that some one has
stolen the stick. Maurice" said the
Major. Some one from outside,
meal?"
81 am sure Of It," replied Alymer,
with decision. "Jaggard. did you no.
tice that negress Of Mrs. Dallas
about the grounds. since five O'Clock?
why. no, MI. Maurice, 1 can t say
as I did
''The tramp then; BattersOn!
'No. sir. Haven't set eyes on him
for a week."
when You lighted the lamp it was
eight o'clOtk?"
about that. sir. I lighted it just
after dinner. while YOU and the Major
were over your wine so to speak. sir"
"And the room was darknesS-that
Is. comparative darkness - before
them" unused Maurice. Il don't think
anyone could have seen the devil-stick
unless the lamp was lighted. Was it
gone when you lighted up?'
IT didn't observe sir"
VERY good. Jaggard." broke in the
Major. 'you can go. Maurice" he
kashrned to the young man when Jag
lard had left the room, what do YOU
mean by all these questions and ex-
limitations? DO you suspect anyone?"
Yes" replied Maurice. deliberately. Il
suspect Dido. the negress.
"Why?" asked Jen, with military
pbrevity.
Its a long story" returned Maurice.
lighting a fresh cigar. Look here.
I. Uncle Jen. went to dress at half-past
six: you did also. When We left, the
9devil-stick was In the room on the
wall. Now we are here again at half
past eight the devil-stick is gone. In
these two hours Dido has had time 70
cross the lawn yOnder and steal il.
"But why do you suspect DidO?'
Because the room was in darkness.
as you heard Jaggard say. To steal
that stick the thief must have known
its position on the wall.
"Well, Dido didn't know that; she
was never in this room.
''NO. but Or. Etwald was
CDR Etwald, 10 you think he has
ANYTHING to do with ito" Queried Jen,
perplexed. and a trifle startled.
ct am certain Of il" replied Maurice
ssHe employed Dido 10 steal il from you
as you refused 70 sell it. Listen, I'm
Gle and I'll give you my reasons for
this belief" and then Maurice told sue
cinctly all that had taken place at the
Wigwam during the afternoon.
Major Jen listened quietly, and
waited until Maurice ended his story
before he spoke. The information
.(bout Mrs. Dallas and her reference
q himself did not surprise him so
much as Alymer expected it would
40. In fact. he only made one brief
remark upon this point
''I am sorry Mrs. Dallas said that"
remarked, when Maurice paused in
narrative.
y"But what does she mean by it.
rncle Jen? Didn't you wish to marry
sabella?"
Il am neither for nor against" re-
died Jen. systematically CAS- I said
saSe, let the girl marry who she
IS Rsst-"