Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06
CHAPTER XII.
Concerns NV Private Affairs.

What have you found there?" inquired
Amber Jevons, quickly interested, and yet
surprised at my determination to conceal it
from him.
Something that concerns me- replied
briefly.
Concerns you?" he calculated. 81 don't
understand How can anything among the
old mans private papers concern your"
This concerns me personally" I an
swered. Surely that is sufficient explana-
ton
NO" my friend said. Forgive me,
Ralph, for speaking quite plainly, but in
this affair We are both working toward the
same end-namely, to elucidate the mystery.
We cannot hope for success if you are bent
upon cOncealing your discoveries from me-"
This is private affair of my own"
declared doggedly. What l have found
only concerns myself
He shrugged his shoulders with an air of
distinct dissatisfaction.
Even II 1t is a purely private matter we
are surely good friends enough to be cog
infant of one another's secrets" he re-
marked
"Of course" I replied obviously. But
only up to a certain point"
Then, in other word, you imply that
you can't trust me?'
~ can trust you. Amber I answered
calmly. I'VE are the best of friends, and |
hope we shall always be SO. VIII you not
forgive me for refusing to show you these
letters?"
81 only ask you one question. Have they
anything 10 do with the matter we are in
vestigating?"
hcsitated. With his quick perception he
saw that lie was not ready upon my lips.
They have. Your silence tells me so.
In that case it is your duty to show me
them
/ protested again, but he overwhelmed
my arguments. In common fairness to him
/ ought not l knew, to keep back the truth.
And yet 1t was the greatest and most terri
bic blow that had ever fallen upon me- He
saw that l was crushed and stammering,
and he stood by me wondering.
Forgive me, Amber" l urged again
when you have read this letter you will
fully understand why have endeavored to
conceal 1t from you; why, If you were not
pdesent here at this moment l would burn
them all. and not leave a trace behind"
Then l handed it to him.
He took it eagerly, SKINNED 1t through,
and started just as l had started when he
saw the signature. Upon his face was a
without a word.
'Wen?" I asked. What is your opinion p
My opinion is the same as your own,
Ralph, old fellow" he answered slowly,
looking me straight in the face. 1T is
amaZing-startlng-t
You think then that the motive Of the
crime was jealousy"
THE letter makes 1t quite plain" he an
swered huskily. Give me the others. Let
me examine them. l know how severe this
blow must be TO you, old fellow" he added
sympatheticaly.
Yes, it has staggered me- 1 stammered
I'm utterly dumfounded by the unexpect-
ed reyela. .on!' and handed him the packet
Of correspondence, which he placed upor
the table, and seating himself, commenced
eagerly to examine letter after letter.
While he was thus engaged / took up the
first letter and read II through-right tC
the bitter end.
1t was apparently the last Of long cor
respondenuce. for all the letters were ar
ranged chronologically, and this was the
last OF the packet. Written from Meme
ford Manor. Northamptonshire. and vague
y dated "Wednesday" as Is a woman's
habit, 1t was addressed to Mr.. Courtenay
and ran as follows:
Words cannot express my contempt fol
man who breaks his word as easily al
you break yours. A year ago, when yol
were my fathers guest, you told me tina
you loved me and urged me to marry you
At first 1 laughed at your proposal; then
when found you really serious, / pointed
out the difference of our ages. You, in re
turn declared that you loved me with al
the ardor of a young man; that 1 was you
Ideal; and you promised by all you hell
most sacred that IL I consented l shout,
never regret. 1 believed you, and believed
the false words of feigned devotion whicl
you wrote to me later under seal Of strict
est secrecy. You went TO Cairo, and nom
knAw of our secret-the secret that you In