Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-10-30

fineness, of the black pearls; he talked
with the freedom and expression of the
expert Bell permitted him to ramble
on about historic rings in general. But
all the same he could see that Van
Sneck was far from easy in his mind
Now and then a sudden CLEAN came
into his eyes: memory played for the
fragment of second upon certain
elusive chord and was gone.
Were you smoking the night you
came here?" Bell asked. suddenly.
Yes" Van Sneck replied, "a cigar
cite. Henson handed it over to me.
l don't deny that was terribly fright
ened. smoked the cigarette out of
bravado."
You went into the conservatory
yonder and admired the flowers" Bell
observed.
Van Sneck looked up with astonish-
ment and admiration.
II did, he confessed. But l don't
see how you know that"
Il guessed it. 1t takes the brain
some little time to get level to the i'm
agination. And as soon as you came
face to face with Henson you knew
what was going to happen. You were
little dazed and frightened. and lit
tie overcome by liquor into the bar
gain. But even then, though you
were probably unconscious of it your
self. you We're seeking some place to
hide the ring"
Il rather believe I was" Van Sneck
said, thoughtfully.
You smoked cigarette there.
Where did YOU put the end?"
Van Sneck rose and went into the
conservatory. He walked directly to
large pot of stephanotis in distant
corner, and picked the stump, of gold
tipped cigarette from thence. =
II dropped it in there" he said.
Strange: if you had asked me that
question two minutes ago should not
have been able to answer it. And now
l distinctly remember pitching it there
and watching it scorch some of that
beautiful, lace-like moss. There is
long trail of it hanging down behind.
recollect how funnily it occurred to
me, even in the midst of my danger,
that the trail would look better if
brought over the front of the pot.
Thus
He lifted the long, graceful spiral
and brought it forward. Steel nodded,
approvingly.
Il came very near to dropping the
ring in there" Van Sneck explained.
II had it in my fingers-took it for the
purpose from my waistcoat pocket.
Then l saw Henson's eye on me and l
changed my mind. l wish I had been
more SOBER
Bell was examining pot a little
lower down. A piece had been chip
ped off, leaving a sharp, clean, red
edge, with tiny bit of hair upon it.
You fell here!" he exclaimed.
''Your head struck the pot. Here is
fragment OF your hair upon it, 1t is
human hair, beyond a doubt, and the
shade matches to a nicely. After
that"
A sudden cry broke from the Dutch
man.
I've got it," he exclaimed. "You
have cleverly led my mind into the
right direction. The only marvel is
that l did not think of it before. You
will find the ring in the pot where the
tuberose grows. l am quite certain
you will find it among the moss at the
base"
David carefully scooped up all the
loose moss from the pot and laid it on
the study table. Then he shook the
stuff out, and something glittering lay
on the table-a heavy ring of the most
exquisite and cunning workmanship,
with large gem in the center, thanked
by black pearls on either side. Van
Sreck took it in his fingers, lovingly.
Here you are!" he said. ZACH, the
beauty! Well, you've got it now, and
do you take care Of it, lest it fall into
my hands again. If 1 got chance 1
would steal it once more, and yet again
and again. All, what mischief those
things cause. to be sure!''
The speaker hardly knew how much
mischief the ring in question had
caused, nor did his companies seek to
enlighten him. David wrapped it up
carefully and placed it in his pocket.
Pm glad that is settled" he said.
"And I'm glad that didn't have to in
jure my flowers. Bell, you really are
most wonderful fellow"
Bell smiled with the air of man
who is we'll satisfied with himself. At
this time servant came in with
message to the effect that Inspector
Marley desired to see Mr. Steel on i'm
portant business.
Couldn't have come at a better
time" David murmured. "Ask Mr..
Marley in here"
Marley came smilinly, yet myster-
ious. He evinced no surprise at the
sight of Van Sneck. He was, doubt
less, aware of the success of the oper-
alton on the latter. He particularly
desired to know where Mr.. Reginald
Henson was to be found
This is a queer place to look for
him ~ said Steel
But he was here yesterday" Marley
protested. He had an accident
Bogus" said Steel I'VE turned
him out of the house. Is he wanted? ?"
Marley explained that he was wan
ted on three different charges; in fact
the inspector had the warrants in his
pocket at the present moment.
We'll, it's only by good chance that
you haven't got one for me-" David
laughed. 'If you have ten minutes to
spare, between Van Sneck and myself
we can clear up the mystery of the
diamond-mounted cigar-case for you"
Marley had the time to spare, and,
indeed, he was keen enough to hear
the solution of the mystery. A short