Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-16


breast pocket and vanished
l wondered that Bouyerie did not spring
forward. seize the man and demand an
explanation but whether he was stunned
or not L could not say. Before, however,
ne made the slightest movement Lady Bou-
verfe herself, with incredible swiftness, dis
appeared into the darkness.
Come l said to Bouvere
We both rushed to the spot where Ms
wife had stood-something white Law on
the ground. 1 picked it up. 1t was her
handkerchief. Bouverie snatched 1t from
me and looked at the initials by the light
OF the moon. The handkerchief was sop
ping wet with her tears. He flung it down
again as though it hurt him.
Great heavens" he muttered
picked up the handkerchief and we
both returned to the house.
We had scarcely set foot inside the hall
when the sound of many voices upstairs fell
on our ears. Among them the Persian's
accents were clearly distinguishable Ter
ror rang in every shrill word.
The bloodstone is gone-the other Jewels
are safe, but the bloodstone the talisman,
Is gone! What will become of me? My life
Will be the forfeit
We both rushed upstairs. The whole
thing was perfectly true. The bloodstone.
the priceless talisman of the royal house of
Persia, had been stolen. The confusion
was appalling, and already some one had
gone to fetch the local police.
Il shall lose my life If the stone is not
n,
despair and terror depicted on his face.
who has taken it? The other gems are
safe, but the secret drawer has been burst
open and the bloodstone removed Who
mas taken IT? Sir John. what is the mat
ter? You look strange"
Il can throw light on this mystery said
Sir John
l looked around me. Neither Lady Bou-
verie nor Nine. Sara was present 1 felt a
momentary thankfulness for this latter
fact
II saw my wife give a package to a
stranger in the garden Just now" he con-
tinued II do not wish to conceal any,
| thing. This matter must be looked into
When the police come l shall be the first to
help In the investigation Meanwhile I am
going to my wife,
| He strobe away. We all stood and look
| ed at each other Sir Johns revelation was
| far more terrible to all except the unfor-
| tunate Persian than the loss of the blood
| stcne. In fact. the enormity of the one
| tragedy paled beside the other
thought for minute. Notwithstanding
| the lateness OF the hour. / would dispatch
| a telegram to Vandeleur without DELAY
| There was mystery. and only Vandeleur
| could clear it up. Black as appearances
We're against Lady Bouverie, had no doubt
| that her innocence could be established
| Without a word / hurried out and raced to
| the post office There I knocked I'D the
| postmaster and soon dispatched three tele-
grams-one to Vandeleur's house. one to his
/
| police station. All contained the same
| words:
| Come special or motor Immediately.
| Don't delay"
! l then returned to Greylands A hush
| OF surprise had succeeded to the first con.
| sternation. A few of the guests had reap-
| peared, startled by the noise and confusion
| but many still remained in their rooms. Sill
| John was with his wife. We assembled in
the dining room. and presently he came
! down and spoke to us.
| Lady Bouverie denies everything he
| said. "She swears she has never left her
| room. This matter must be thoroughly In.
| vestigated." he continued, going up to the
| Persian There are times when man In
| all honor cannot defend even his own wife .
| Meanwhile Nine. Sara remained In the
| library. She was sitting by table busily
writing. When Sir John appeared she came