The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-23

me bGrOnCt STOOD IN the great hGtt, Be1Vt
being taDo or three steps dboue him.
and pressing it. "Let US go at once
and put it there. 1t was always kept in
that old oak cabinet in the blue draw
ing ROOM"
They went at once to the room and
found the dagger gone, as they had ex-
pected, and the cabinet locked, but with
the key in the lock.
In a moment the dagger which Beryl
had brought was put into tho place Of
the other, the outline of the weapon
showing On the plush lining exactly the
spot where it had lain.
Sir Jaffray locked the door Of the
cabinet and put the key in his pocket
with sigh Of relief.
II thought your wits would help me,
Beryl," he said. feeling very grateful
to her. "You were always clever
counselor"
II have had another idea," she said.
"That little gold fligree ball was taken
off one of the pair Of bracelets Of which
Lola gave me one. ! have brought it
with me, and l should like to put it
back among her jewelry, as it will de-
stroy another of the links which seem
to have had such effect upon Mr.. Gift
ford. Even if the rest of the bracelet
should be found and this is here among
her jewelry there ia 90 connection
shown"
"You are right, certainly right" ex-
claimed Sir Jaffray. "Let US go to her
room and put it there"
They went up without saying any.
thing more, and after searching in
effectually among Lols's jewels for the
bracelet they put Beryl's among them.
"What shalt we do about the mother,
Jaffroy?" asked Beryl when they had
locked up the jewels.
II will not tell her more than is
necessary; but, if there is to be any real
trouble through this, Of course she will
have to be told. I am afraid for her,
and she will feel it the more keenly
and brood on it go much because she is
alone"
"My father ia much better. If You
like, I will stay with her tonight and
much Of tomorrow, but I must drive
back first and tell papa
"You will take one great load off my
shoulders If you will, said Sir Jaffray.
incxpressibly thankful to her.
II will 60 TO her now," said the girl
quietly, land will tell her all that need
be told and as gradually as possible.
They had reached the bottom of the
staircase. The baronet stood in the
great hall, Beryl being two or three
steps above him, with her hand on the
balustrade, in the act Of turning back
to 90 to Lady Walcote.
your presence in the house Is a
great comfort, Beryl," said the bar
onet. II can't thank you yet as
would"
II am sorry for all the trouble that
ha. come to you, Jaffray," she answer
ed, pausing to look down on him. III
I can help you, of course you know
will. There is no need for any mention
of thanks between such old friends.
At that moment there was commo.
ton in the hall, and Mr.. Clifford en-.
tered, followed by police inspector.
Here is Sir Jaffray himself, Mr..
Borderham," said the private detective.
"The inspector would like to sec you,
sir, about this most distressing affair"
eff it's convenient, Sir Jaffrey," add
ed the inspector.
Certainly, inspector, certainly" re-
piied the baronet "Come into the
study" And, bracing himself for tho
interview, he led the way, followed by
tho two men, while Beryl went on
Slowly up stairs.
AS she looked at them across the hall
MI Clifford, who was the last of the
three, turned for a second and shrugged
bis shoulders and lifted his hands with
a gesture which che read to mean that
something serious had happened.
Then, full Of disquiet, she went Oh
to Lady Walcote's room.