Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-10-30

4 OF the W~OTKInanSnl II the exceeding
flneness 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 a second upon a certain
elusive chord and vas gone.
Were you smoking the night you
came here?" Bell asked, suddenly.
Yes" Van Sneck replied, "a cigar
cite. Henson handed 1t over to me.
| 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 I 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 oon as you came
face TO face with Henson you knew
what was going to happen. You were
a little daZed and frightened, and a lit
tie overcome by liquor into the bar
gain. But even then, though you
were probably unconscious of it your
self, you were seeking some place to
hide the ring"
II rather believe / was" Van Sneck
said, thoughtfully.
"You smoked a cigarette there.
Where did you put the end?"
Van Sneck rose and went into the
conservatory. He walked directly to
a large pot of stephanotis in a distant
corner, and picked the stump of a gold
tipped cigarette from thence.
Il dropped it in there" he said.
Strange; If you had asked me that
question two minutes ago I should not
have been able to answer it. And now
/ distinctly remember pitching it there
and watching it scorch some of that
beautiful, lace-like moss. There is a
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 yer the front Of the pot.
Thus"
He lifted the long, graceful spiral
and brought it forward. Steel nodded,
approvingly.
II came very lee to dropping the
ring in there" Van Sneck explained.
Il had 1t in my fngers-took it for the
purpose from my waistcoat pocket.
Then ] saw Henson's eye on me and /
changed my mind. / wish / had been
more sober"
Bell was examining a pot a little
lower down. A piece had been chip
PED off, leaving a sharp, clean, red
edge, with a tiny bit of hair upon it.
you fell here!" he exclaimed.
"Your head struck the pot. Here is a
fragment of your hair upon it. Ii is
human hair, beyond a doubt, and the
shade matches to a nicely. After
that"
A sudden cry broke from the Dutch
man.
"Tve 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. / am quite certain
you will find 1t 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 a large gem in the center, fanked
by black pearls IN either side. Van
SIeck took it in his fingers, lovingly.
Here you areI" he said. Zach, the
beauty Well, you've got Il now, and
III rrnfs tnIyn A-A ~ IL IA.A "A Q-nr -
my hands again. II / got a chance I
would steal 1t 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 1t in his pocket.
I'm glad that is settled" he said.
"And I'm glad that / didn't have to in
jure my flowers. Bell, you really are a
most wonderful fellow"
Bell smiled with the afr of a man
who is well satisfied with himself. At
this time a servant came in with a
message &c the effect that Inspector
Marley desired to see Mr.. Steel on i'm
portant business.
couldn't have come at q better
time" David murmured. ASK Mr.
Marley in here"
Marley came smilinly, yet myster-
ious. He eyinced no surprise at the
sight of Van Sneck. He was, doubt
less, ware 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. "f 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, an
indeed, he was keen enough to hea.
IL 1900