The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-25

'But surely he did not keep you away
from the concert?"
1T can be of no interest to you, Miss Gil
liam"
"Oh, but it is. am always terribly in
terested In my neighbours business. Did he
keep you away?''
Partly"
.'why?'
II think you had better not press for an
answer to that question" said. After all.
I dare say am foolish in not liking Capt
Denton. just as everybody else does. 1 sup
pose / am small-minded enough to be a
little jealous"
That rosuish smile played upon her lips
and almost maddened me. Would it be
well to confide in Aunt Caroline?
You are foolish to be jealous" she said,
rising from the table.
Am I? If you only knew"
was interrupted. fortunately perhaps.
by the entrance of a servant.
'Sir Francis would like to see you at
once. sir. in the library"
what a short hourI" said Evelyn. 1.-THE
papers must have been very important after
all, and you will have to work doubly hard
to-day for going to sleep last night"
I smiled as I left the room. What did
Evelyn mean by saying it was foolish to
be Jealous Of Captain Denton? I found
many possible and pleasant meanings in
the words before opened the library door.
Sir Francis was standing by his desk at
the far end OF the room, and saw at once
that something was wrong
Ibid you finish those papers last night?'
he aSkad without looking at me.
mo. Sir Francis. I believe fell asleep
over them" put my hand into my pocket
as spoke IT have left my keys upstairs;
I will go and get them
"You may save yourself the trouble" he
answered, looking at me; ''they are here.
You left them on the table last nightly
mistake" He paused before the last two
words and laid particular stress upon them.
what is wrong, Sir Francis?"
'These are your keys?"
took the bunch.
"Yes-but-"
when did give you key that fits this
desk-that key, sir, the one you have in
your hand now?" He spoke sternly. the
first time he had ever done so to me.
1 looked at it. Possibly I changed color
a little.
"Never. Sir Francis"
when and where did you have 1t made,
then?"
"Madev'
There should be only one key. here 1t is
on my bunch. When did you have that du-
plicate nader"
''Never!" I answered, Indignantly.
when locked this desk yesterday" Sir
Francis went on. there were certain docu-
| ments in this pigeon-hole Of the very
gravest Importance. This morning they are
gone. I have already ascertained that you
| did not leave the house last night, and ]
have sent for the police"
Surely, Sir Francis. you are not accusing
me of stealing them?"
"Those are your keys. are they not?'
"That particular key was not on my
bunch last night"
Should I be likely to put 1t on, Mr.. Hey.
gate?"
SHOULD be likely to steal, Sir F'rancis?'
He shrugged his shoulders in disbelief.
Last night in the library! I had forgot
| ten it. Now it all came back to me. The
thin fingers holding the door and the face
so like Aunt Caroline's. How like a dream
| it appeared now.
Something did happen last night. Sil
| Francis, but until this moment thought ]
had dreamt it,
| II am ready to hear anything you have
| to say" he answered.
| / told him what had occurred last nigh,
and Of my subsequent visit to Mrs. Arm.
strong. When 1 had finished he looked al
me for some moments without speaking.
II suppose you are aware that Mrs. Arm
strong cannot leave her room?" t
II do not say it was Mrs. Armstrong;
say 1t was like her,
'Your fertile brain might have trumpet
up better story than that
81 have told you the truth. Sir Francis
| You are telling me a lie, sir, in the at
tempt to hide theft"
| My tale must have sounded absurd. Pos
sibly it was its absurdity which made Sit
Francis so ready to disbelieve me.
The door opened as he spoke, and Evelyr
entered.
"Father!"
what do you want, dear? I am busy.
She did not answer. She looked from on,
to the other of US, showing plainly that sh,
had heard her fathers words.
1 broke the silence.
II do not mind Miss Gillian knowing o.
what am accused. Sir Francis"
"You may tell her the miserable story
sir, If you think fit"
| / told her.
what papers are they which are miss
| ing?" she asked.
~ do not know" / said.
At make no secret of the fact that the,
contained important observation-disclosures
ton which would be worth much to on
enemies on the continent and in South AT
RIGA"
II do not believe Mr.. Heygate stol
them
"You know nothing about it. Evelyn
There is the duplicate key, the papers ar
gone, and Mr.. Heygate, for no very goot
reason, stayed at home last night
81 know Mr.. Heygate. father, and he Il
incapable OF such thing"
There was no smile upon her face now
but never had she appeared more beautiful
in my eyes. Even Sir Francis seemed i'm
pressed with her belief In me-
lone thing believe do know. Mr.. Hey
gate had a very good reason for stayin,
away from the concert last night"
My heart leaped within me. Could sh