Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-09-22
CHAPTER NNvnI.

and hidden by any one of those who
had so promptly responded to the cry
or help, seemed impossible; as the time
between the robbery and the alarm
would not have permitted the swiftest
to force the box, rush TO the shrubbery,
secrete it, and return to the corridor
in answer to Geoffrey's call.
All the men-servants sleeping In the
house had answered to Geoffrey'S cry
for help, as we'll as the male members
of the household, with one exception.
That circumstancial evidence pointed
to that one exception as the individual
who had concealed the box. suggested
itself to all.
The discovery of the box was painful
to all, because of,1l,e thoughts 1T
prompted; and neither the family nor
the visitor referred to it. Nor did
mute Interrogation might draw forth
words committing them to belief or
statements. For one and all of them.
1T was a time of nervous strain. anXi
ETY. and heavy depression.
But meanwhile search for the miss
ing jewels was continued with an en-
ergy stimulated by the high reward Of
His birthday gift of the Diamond and
sapphire bracelet, valued at about
6 400, was as nothing beside the royal
necklace of Oriental rubes-the his
toTlc heirloom of centuries.
Everything was done to recover them,
that imagination could conceive, in
genuity suggest or patience could ac
complish, but all in vain: for beyond
the finding of the box, no trace of them
was to be had.
The defiant sull<iness and unconvinc-
ing Indifference displayed by Max
were never relaxed. His loud voice
contrasted with the subdued tones into
M nt I'm cci
fallen. Occasionally Lady Bysshe
made efforts to appear cheerful, but
they We're spasmodic, and left her eN
hausted and downcast. Dunstan, who
was absent-minded and gloomy, sell
dom spoke. save when addressed, and
then answered as briefly as possible.
Godfrey Bysshe had been obliged TO
return to the city, but he left the de-
tectives behind him. From the first,
Inspector lSoundes greatly feared that
the Jewels might be conveyed to town.
Ii the thief had an accomplice watt
ing TO receive them, they We're certain
ly lost TO the owner forever; but this
was scarcely possible, as 1T was not
known to any one, save the ba.rister
and Lady Bysshe. that the former had
brought them with him, until he had
shown them. couple of hours before
their disappearance.
Very soon Max and Dunstan, as well
movements out of doors We're carefully
watched. In the solitariness of the park,
on lonely roads, in the neighboring viii
lagos, wherever they went they We're
sure to meet detective in the dis
guise Of tramp, a laborer, a retired
soldier i'm distress, groom, OF game
keeper.
Dunstan submitted TO this surveil-
lance quietly, Max secretly rebelled
against it, the servants dared not COM
plain. And vet the searching and
shadowfng brought no result.
Some eight days later than Godfrey
Bysshe's departure for town, he was
followed by Dunstan. who felt certain
he was escorted by a number of the
detective force.
On the count inquiring of his son one
morning when he was expected to re-
sumo his hospital work, Max answered
that he was not going back for an in
he replied: You may as we'll know,
father that | am being watched by the
police"
your the count cried out, indigna-
ton and fear struggling in him.
Yes; there's no use shutting ones
eyes to the fact that they think have
stolen the jewels, because my being
out of the house when the alarm was
given. l we'll see enough what Foundes
and others think, though l say nothing.
l must submit to be Swallowed, no mat
ter where CO. though long to knock
down the fellows that steal after me,
and pop UP in front of me, turn where
l will"
My poor boy!" replied his father
whose face expressed look OF pain
and grief that touched Max indescrib-
ably.
Perhaps ! ought not to have told
you,'' he said
Yes. yes; it is better that should
know you were subjected to such in
famous treatment. 1t must be stopped.'
Il don't see how You can stop it."
Max remarked. IF you complained
to Bysshe or to Foundes 1t would look
as if l feared them, and it would not
prevent them from having me watched
all the same. And l am not afraid of
them.
1t was evident this conversation adj
ded to the counts depression; but he
became more detected, when, just be-
fore leaving the dinner table that even
ing, Lady BySShe announced that she
and Edith had made up their minds
to visit Eastbourne for a few weeks.
The fact was, that the gloom which had
settled over the house, together with
the nervouse fears produced by the
mystery surrounding the crimes COM
mitted or attempted within it's walls,
made them DESTROYS of leaving 1t for
while.
you have only been back few
weeks" the count demonstrated. Must
you leave me again so soon?"
why not come with us, papa? The
change would do you good" his step
daughter suggested.
You know dislike going to strange
places, where l cannot get about for
myself, as do here" he answered
ENORMOUSLY. Besides. l think We or
MT .h.,1l IN, l,r,r
mystery is discovered"
Il begin to despair of anything ever
being found out" remarked Lady Bys-
she.
"One never knows" remarked the
count, when light may be thrown on
the mystery, or from what point it may
come"
the butler hurried forward with an air
of suppressed excitement, seeing which,
Max Immediately asked what was the
matter.
IF you please. sir, Inspector Toundes
wishes to see the count"
Wants to see me?"
i HE said 1T was important, SIR"
J The count rose anxiously, then in
tnervouse hesitation clutched the back
lof his chair, into which he dropped
again.
".Will you see him here?" Lady Bys-
she asked.
"As you please" the count muir
}mui1ned. his voice shaking.
4 In another minute Inspector Foundes
Iwalked into the room, and with cap In
hand, stood at respectful distance
from the table. Unable to bear sus-
pense, Lady Bysshe asked what he had
to tell them.
IF you please, my lady," he replied
[ the Italian servant is arrested"
j "a cd lot
Yes, sir. We had a warrant out fol
Thin some time, and lest you might