The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-07

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seeing Lady Maud alone. What do you
make of all thatY'
didn't know what 10 make OF 1t. and
I told Hugh so.
lie laughed before replying: you
must walls bit. colonel; waf a biti'
I had not to walt for Tong.
A day or two later Hugh walked into
my room. where l was writing a letter
before luncheon.
Capt. Digby has just arrived unex-
pectedly." he announced. do you
know what ne has come for?'
shook my head.
MY dear fellow, I'm not Sherlock
Holmes or "a Hugh Drummond," i ans
wered.
Thank you for the compliment. col
onel," he said. "And as you don't know
why Digby has come, I'll tell you. Next
week he sails for India to join his regi-
merit, and he wants to\make one more
effort TO persuade Lady Maud 20 see
him In private before he goes. Keep
your eyes open. colonel; keep your eyes
k.<pen."
Then ne went away.
Well, luncheon that day TO me was
rather an uncomfortable meal. and l
was glad when IL was over. I'm not
very observant. but couldn't help see-
ing that Digby gave Lady Maud an inn
ploring look as we rose from the table.
She shook her head coldly in mute re-
ply. and then slipped her hand through
her husbands arm and went away with
him into the library. Digby followed
them, and / followed, too. / didn't
know what else to do.
We had been In the library about half
an hour, smoking and talking in a de-
sultory sort of way, when all at once
the door opened and Hugh Drummond
came into the room. He walked straight
up to De Moleyns.
minute?"
MY time Is yours" said De Moleyns
What have you got to tell me?'
"Something that will interest you"
Driimmond replied The name OF the
person who took the Dangeriield dia-
monds.'
There was n breathless pause. / shall
never forget the intense ana stralned
excitement of the moment.
"Well" said DE Moleyns at last.
Hugh looked around the room.
Tine person" he said slowly, who
took the Dangerfleld diamonds is
lie paused. and we all looked at him
as IL the fate of nations hung on his
next words.
'The person" he said again. "who
took the Dangerfield diamonds is"
II am the thief"
"I took the diamonds
The two speeches were Simultaneous
| and they proceeded from Lady Maud
and Capt. Digby. / simply gasped, De
| Moleyn sat as IL turned TO stone, and
Hugh looked on with his quiet smile.
Digby was the first to speak again.
II took the diamonds" he said walk
| ing up to De Moleyns and speaking In
| "A low, hoarse tone. Don't listen TO
| Maud she must be mad. i took the
diamonds 1 tell you l took them, ana
He got no farther. At that point
Lady Maud rushed Wildly forward and
threw herself on her knees before her
husband.
"It il he who is mad" she cried. mot
/ He didn't take the diamonds. took
them. | lost money at cards. and was
afraid to tell you: and-and-" her Noice
| faltered and broke and she burst into
Wild. passionate weeping. De MoIeyns
still sat silent and motioness. his first
| look of startled horror frozen ON his
rigid face. 1t was the most tragic situ-
alton I had ever assisted at. and i was
| glad To slip quietly away and leave the
| play 10 be played out by the chief ac-
| tors In IL.
Half an hour later Hugh came to me
| I'm my rooin Where i was SITTING, STUN
| ned and, bewildered, ponderlng on the
strange turn that events had taken
Well colonel what DO you make OF
| n all now?" he asked. That was a
nice expose. wasn't IL? | rather enjoy
| a dramatic situation. don't your
stared at him feebly
II can make nothing OF II at all. 1
answered. Perhaps Hugh, you'll be
kind enough TO tell who took the dia-
n nd ,,r
Hiinh nut his hands In his nockei 8