El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-22

"When did it leave of snoving?- asked
Marston.
About 5 o'clock" replied Ralph. 1T
must have showed heavily till then, for
there was not trace of all the carriage
wheels on the drive when we went. out
last night, but our foot prints down to
the lodge are clear in the snow now.
There has been no snow since 3 o'clock
this morning"
at all points to the same thing" said
Charles, quietly, speaking for the first
time. THE jewels were taken by some
one staying in the house"
zone of the servants began Mar
ston.
NO" said Charles, cutting him short,
mot one of the servants"
ut is impossible it should have been
one of them" said Ralph after some
thought "First of all, none of them saw
the jewels put into that drawer, and,
secondly, how could they suspect me of
hiding them in a place where had never
thought of putting them myself till that
moment? Besides, that one drawer only
was broken open-the center drawer in
the left hand set of drawers. All the
others We're untouched, though they
were all locked. No one who had not
seen the jewels put in would have fonnd
them SO easily. That is the frightful
part of it"
For few minutes no one spoke. At
last Marston raised his head from his
hands.
There is no way out of it," he said
very gravely. 1.-The robbery was com
mitted by one of the visitors staying in
the house"
"Yesr said Charles.
"Yes!" echoed whisper from the bed.
Charles looked up slowly and deGber
ately, and the eyes of father and son met
again.
/ 1--WE do not often agree, father" he
said in measured voice. 81 mark this
exception to the rule with pleasure"
when had made out as much as
this" continued Ralph, father told me
to call both of you and Charles to con
slider what ought to be done before we
make any move"
Have you an inventory Of the jewels
asked Marston at length.
None" said Sir George, "unless Mid
dleton had one from Sir John"
thereupon recapitulated in full all
the circumstances of the bequest, finally
adding that Sir John had never so much
as mentioned an inventory.
$50 much the better for the thief"
said Marston, his chin in his hands. cit
is not case for detective" he added.
81 think not" said Charles.
a kind of hoarse, ghostly laugh came
from the bed.
Charles is always right" whispered
the sick man. Quite unnecessary, j
am sure"
I
! had not Vet been of as much assistance
as / could have wished. Nov I think
detectives are of use-really useful, yor
| know, in finding out things. There
was a detective, ] remember. trying TO
trace the people VINO murdered that
poor lady at James old house since my
return"
But who could it have been? who
could it have been:n burst out Ralph.
unheeding. They We're all friends. 1t
is frightful TO suspect one of them. One
could as easily suspect ones self. Which
of them all could have done thing
like that? Out of them all, which was
it,"
Carr" replied Charles quietly, look
ing full at his father.
If a bombShell had fallen among us at
that moment it could not have produced
greater effect than that one word, ut
tered 50 deliberately. Sir George started
in his bed and clutched at the bed clothes
with both hands. NY brain positively
reeled. Carr. my friend Carr introduced
into the family by myself, was being &C
cused by Charles, / was speeches. with
indignation.
Il am sorry, Middleton" continued
Charles. Il know he is your friend, but
l can't help that. Carr took the Jewels.
/ distrusted him from the moment he set
foot in the house.
Where is he at this Instant" said
Marston, getting up. rs no one with
him.
There is no need to be anxious on his
account" replied Charles. Il took him
up to the smoking room before 1 came
here, and l turned the key in the door.
The key is here And he laid it on the
table.
Marston sat down again.
What are your grounds for suspect
ing Carr" he asked. Remember this is
a very serious thing, Charles. that you
have done in locking him mp if you have
not adequate reason for it,.
''You had better leave Carr alone.
Charles said Ralph. significantly.
Let him go on, said Sir George.
Il have no proof" continued Charles:
Il did not see him take them but / n
as certain of it as if | had seen it with
my own eyes. The jewels could only
have been stolen by someone staying in
the house. That is certain. Who, ex-
cepting Carr, was stranger among us?
Who, excepting Carr
stop, Charles" said Ralph again.