The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-05-01


| getting dark as David let himself into
Downend Terrace with his latch-key.
| How good II was TO be back againl
| The eye OF the artist rested fondly on
the beautiful things around. And, but
for the sport of chance the within OF
| fate, those had all passed from him by
this time. II was good to look across
the dining table over Venetian glass 10
see the pools of light cast by the shad-
| ed electric. TO note the feathery fall OF
\ flowers, and TO see that placid, gentle
| face In its frame OF white hair opposite
| him. Mrs. Steels simple. unaffected
pride in her son was not the least graft
flying rart of Davids success.
You have not suffered from the
shock. mother?" he asked
'"well. no." Mrs Steel confessed, plac-
| idly you see, never had what peo-
| pie call nerves. my dear. And, after ALL
l saw nothing. Still. / am very sorry
| for that poor young man, and have
sent to inquire after him several times"
HE Is no worse, or / should have
heard OF II"
mo: and no better. And Inspector
Marley has been here to see you twice
to-day"
David pitied himself as much as a
man could pity himself considering his
surroundings. II was rather annoying
that this should have happened at a
time when he was so busy And Mar
ley would have all sorts of questions 10
ask at all sorts of inconvenient sea-
sons.
Steel passed into his study presently
and lighted cigarette. Despite his de-
termination to put the events of yester-
day from his mind he found himself
constantly returning TO them. What
splendid dramatic story that would
make! And what a fascinating mys-
terry could be woven round that gun
metal cigar case!
BY the way, where was the cigar
case? On the whole, II would be just
as well to lock the cigar case away till
he could discover some reasonable ex-
cuse for It's possession. His mother
would be pretty sure to AJAX where II
came from, and David could not pre-
varicate, so far as she was concerned.
But the cigar case was not TO be found.
and David was forced to the conclusion
that he ad left Il in Mossa's office.
A little annoyed with himself, he took
up the evening Argus. There was half
a column devoted to the strange case at
Downend Terrace. and just over II
Httle advertisement to the effect that
gun metal cigar case had been found.
and was in the hands OF the police
awaiting an owner.
David slipped from the house and
caught bus In st. Georges Road.
At the police station he learned that
Inspector Marley was still on the prem
Uses. Marley came forward gravely.
He had a few questions 10 ask. but
nothing to tell
And now perhaps you can give me
some information?" David said You
are advertising in to-night's Argus a
gun metal cigar case set with dia-
monds"
"Ah!" Marley said, eagerly, "can you
tell us anything about it,"
Nothing beyond the fact that I hope
TO satisfy you that the case is mine"
Marley stared, open mouthed at Da-
vid for a moment. and then relapsed In
TO his sapless official manner. He might
have been detective cross examining
a suspected criminal.
"why this mystery?" David asked.
''I have lost a gun metal cigar case set
with diamonds, and see a similar art
icle Is noted as found by the police.
lost IL this morning, and I shrewdly
suspect that I left II behind rne at the
office of Mr.. Mossa."
"The case was sent here by Mr.. Mossa
himself" Marley admitted.
Then. of course, IL is mine. had
to give Mr.. Mossa my opinion or him
this morning. and, by way of splitting
me. he sent that case here, hoping, per-
haps. that I should not recover 1t. You
know the case, Marley--it was lying on
the floor OF my conservatory that
| night"
"I did notice gun metal case there"
Marley replied.
CAS- a matter OF fact, you called my
| attention to It, and asked IL It was
mine"
"And you said at first that IT wasn't,
sir"
well, you must make allowances for
| my then frame OF mind" David
| laughed. "I rather gather, from your
| manner that somebody else has been
| after the case; II that is so, you are
right to be reticent Still, it is in your
| hands. 10 settle the matter on the spot.
! All you have to do is TO open the case,
! and IL you fail TO find my initials, I'D.
S." scratched In the lefthand top cor
| ner. then have lost my property, and
the other fellow has found his"
In the same reticent fashion, Marley
! proceeded 10 unlock a safe in the cor
| ner, and from thence he produced what
| appeared TO be the Identical cause Of all
this talk. He pulled the electric table
lamp over TO him and proceeded to ex-
anime the inside carefully.
You are quite right" he said, at
length. your initials are here"
Not strange, seeing that / scratched
them there last night" said David. dri-
". WHEN? Oh. II was after you left
my house last night"
"And II has been some time in your
possession, sir?"
"Oh, confound IL. no. II was-wen. II
was a present from friend for little
service rendered. So far as I under
stand. it was purchased at Lockhart's,
in North street. No, I'll be hanged II I
answer any more OF your questions.
| Marley. I'll be your Aunt Sally as far
as you are officially concerned. But. as
10 yonder case your queries are dis
tinctly impertinent"
Marley shook his head gravely. as one
might over a promising but headstrong
boy.
do I understand that you decline TO
account for the case?" he asked.