The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-07
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! The Dangerdeld Diamonds. ;
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somebody In the house." / went on.
Somebody who knew the ways Of the
house and the arrangements OF Lady
Maud's Jewel-safe, too.It doesn't look
like a burglars work"
Digby looked me over from head TO
foot. and pulled his moustache thought
fully.
Think not?" he returned. in the
same laconic way.
At that moment De Moleyhs came
back He looked harassed and uneasy
and IL was a minute or two before he
spoke.
I've had deuce OF a scene With
Maud" he said at last; "she doesn't
want me to move in the matter, she
wants me to let II slide; but really
don't see my way To sitting down quiet
ly under the loss OF ten thousand
pounds worth OF diamonds. That's too
much To expect.
He paused and looked sharply from
me To Digby, Digby said nothing, so I
threw myself into the breach.
Perhaps" i suggested, Lady Maud
has her suspicious"
II think she has" said DE Moleyns !,
I'm sure she has. from what she said.
She suspects somebody, and wants tc
screen him or her. I think she sus-
poets her maid, but, of course, she
may be wrong, and-and--well. should
like the matter cleared up. l should
like To find out who the thief IL, for my
own satisfaction. even IL I don't prose-
cute. Don't YOU agree with me. Dig
by?"
Digby shrugged his shoulders.
I'm not sure that Dc" he answered.
slowly. I'm inclined 10 think you'd
better let Maud have her way. De-
pend upon Il. she has good reasons
of her own in the background"
"Oh. nonsensel" said DE Moleyns. inn
patiently. nonsense. The th'Ig isn't
To be thought of for n moment. l al
ways do let Maud have her way. but
just for once she must le. me have
mine"
Digby shrugged his shoulders again,
and the sauntered quietly out Of the
room. took up the tale.
II think you're quite right he Mol
elyns," 1 said, 'dt's always better to
clear these things up,even IT, as you
suggest you don't prosecute In the
end
I'm sure it is" said De Moleyns.
'and I'll write to Scotland Yard at
once"
mo. not Scotland Yard" said J.
i've better idea than that. Take my
duNfce anu write ftuen lfufnmOnO.
Hugh Drummond?" De Moleyns III
quired.
Now Hugh Drummond was the eld-
est son OF an old friend or mine. and
had originally been intended for the
bar. but after twelve months of waiting
for briefs that did not come he had
got sick of the whole thing. chucked
IL, and started on his own account as
private -rictertfvr.| f frHUppupJf 10
nf ha a,
one case that he had conduAed sue
cessfuliy. and had no hesitation ia rec
omniending him II was just the sort
of job that would interest him TO elu-
cidate, and knew that IL anyone could
get to the bottom of the mystery. he
was that man. Anyhow. as shs result OF
my Recommendation. DE MOleyns asked
me TO write to him. and the next day
Drummond arrived 1t was relief TO
see his keen, clever face and hear his
sharp incisive voice. De Moleyns ask
ed me to interview him and so l did:
and l natter myself that / gave him
a very clear and detailed account of the
case. He listened attentively and in
perfect silence till / had finished, then
he nodded his head twice.
Il see, he said. THANK you, colonO
Now. IL you will just answer two ques-
tlons. | shall know exactly where
am and l shan't need to trouble you
any more. Question number one: Who
were In the house yesterday. in addition
to the servants?'
DE Moleyns," | answered, Lady
Maud Captain Digby. and myself.
That's all thipk--oh. I'd forgotten
Miss Neville
who is Miss Nevlle?" asked Drum
mond.
"Ohl she's nobody particular" I an
swered. only De Moleyns' private Sec
retary and typewriter. He got tired of
employing men. and engaged this girl
about six months ago. and she's turned
out very WE'LL
"she wasn't dining wth you last
night, was she?'' asked Drummond.
NO" l answered. she always dimes
in her own ROOM
"Humph!" said Hugh. Now. question
number two: Who i'm the house knows
that | am a detcctive?"
de Moleyns and myself" I an swer-
ed. mo one else. Not even Lady
Maud. You are presumed to be my
valet"
snap.
THAT will do he said; "I know
where | am now, and ] dare say 4 Fhaff
soon see daylight. Don't ask M any
questions for week, colonel. If You
do ! shan't answer"
knew Hugh's little ways. and was
careful not to annoy him by falling to
fall In with his wishes.
ON the evening of the seventh day /
had my reward.
i've made a good many discoveries" 4"
he began, after extracting from me n
prOmise that not even to Mr. DE Mol
I