Evening star., 1904-04-18
THE BLooDsToNE.
SYNOPSIS.


Druce visits at the home Of Sir John Bou-
verie, whose wife, Violet, he knew in child
hood. She is in trouble, evidently about her
brother Hubert, who has gone to Australia to
attend to some business for Mime. Sara. Violet
asks Druce to secretly secure the money for
Mime. Sara is guest at the house and so is
the Persian ambassador, who has in his possess
sion a wonderful bloodstone, the property of
the shah Nine Sara brings Violet bad news
Of some sort.
The Persian exhibits the bloodstone and that
night 1t is stolen Druce and Sir John
woman, whom they believe to be Violet go
into the garden in the night and hand pack
chief which bears Violet's initials. Sir John
tells the guests he believes his wife to be
guilty.
On the arrival of the local police a formal
inquiry was made. Mira Ali Khan de-
clared that after showing us the gems he
returned the box to his room. On retiring
for the night he observed that it had been
moved from the position in which he had
placed it. He examined it and found that
the lock had been tampered with-had, in
deed, been ruthlessly burst open, evidently
with blunt instrument. He then touch
ed the spring which revealed the secret
drawer-the blood stone was gone. All the
other gems were intact. Knowing that the
secret of the drawer was difficult one to
discover, the Persian was convinced that
the bloodstone had been stolen by one or
the party who assembled round him that
evening and who had seen him touch the
spring.
my host, Sir John Bouverie, tells me an
incredible story, he said. Il will leave
the matter in Sir Johns hands, trusting
absolutely to his honor
In a few words Sir John described what
he had seen. He handed the note which we
had found in the corridor to the police, who
II 1x, Do, 10
was sent for, and pending further investi-
cation the unfortunate girl was placed un-
der arrest.
Half past 1 struck, then 2, and it was
only our earnest appeal to await Vande-
leur's arrival that prevented the police
from removing Lady Bouverie in custody.
Would he never come? If he had started
at once on receipt of the wire he would be
nearly at Greylands now.
Suddenly heard sound and ran breath
lessly to the front door, which was open
Stepping from a motor car, hatless, but
with the utmost calm, was Vandeleur.
seized his hand.
Thank heaven you are here!' exclaim-
ed. you must have raced"
"Yes 1 shall be summoned tomorrow for
fast driving, and / have lost my hat.
What's up?''
a crowd of guests was assembled. 1t was
a wonderful scene. and / shall never forget
it. The anxious faces of the visitors; Lady
Bouverie standing between two constables,
sobbing bitterly; her husband, just behind
her, his head turned with shame and
misery; and then, as though in contrast,
the tall. commanding figure of Vandeleur,
with his strong features set as though in
marble. He was taking in everything. judg-
ing in his acute mind the evidence which
was poured out to him.
"Have you anything to say?' asked Van
deleur, gently. to Lady Bouverie. ANY
explanation to offer?'
81 was not there" was her answer. II
never left my roOm
Sir John muttered something under his
breath: then he turned brusquely and re-
quested the visitors to leave the room. They
did so without word. even Mime Sara TAX
ing herself off, though 1 could see that