Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-09-23
CHAPTER V

would not have permitted the swlftest
10 force the box, rush TO the shrubbery,
~secrete II, and return 10 the corridor
IN answer to Geoffrey's call.
All the men-seryants sleeping in the
house had answered TO G~eoffrey's cry
for help, as well 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 the thoughts il
prompted; and neither the family nor
the visitor referred to it. Nor did
they even allow their eyes to meet, lest
mute Interrogation might draw forth
words committing them to belief or
statements. For one and all OF them,
L was a time of v strain, anXi-
ETY. and heavy depression.
But meanwhile search for the miss
ing Jewels was continued with an en-
srgy stimulated by the high reward of
Tered by Godfrey for their recovery.
sapphire bracelet. valued at about
e400, was as nothing beside the royal
necklace of Oriental rubies-the his
Eoric heirloom of centuries.
Everything was lone to them,
that imagination could conceive, in
genuity suggest or patience could ac-
2omplish, but all in vain; for beyond
the finding Of the box, no trace Of them
was to be had.
The defiant sulkiness and u~nconyinc-
ing Indifference displayed by Max
were never relaxed. His loud voice
~eontrasted with the subdued tones into
which the others had -unconsciousiy
fallen. Occasionally Lady Bysshe
made efforts to appear cheerful, but
they were spasmodic, and left her ex-
aausted 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 Foundes greatly feared that
the jewels might be conveyed TO town.
IL the thief had an accomplish wait
Ing to receive them, they We're certain
ly lost to the owner forever; but this
was scarcely possible, as it was not
known to any one, save the barrister
and Lady Bysshe, that the former had
drought them with him, until he had
shown them, q couple of hours before
their disappearance.
Very soon Max and Dunstan, as well
as the servants, grew aware that their
movements out OF doors were carefully
4 WdlCHOQ. III llG SOIlldIllCSS VI liz DdiA
on lonely roads, in the neighboring viii
lagos, wherever they went, they were
sure to meet a detective in the dis
guise OF a tramp, a laborer, q retired
soldier in distress, a groom, OF game
keeper.
Dunstan submitted TO this surveil-
lance quietly, Max secretly rebelled
against it, h servants dared not com
plain. And yet the searching and
shadowing 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 ne was expected to re-
sumo his hospital work, Max answered
that he was not going back for an in
definite period. on being asked why,
he replied; You may as well know,
father, that | am being watched by the
police
Your" the count cried out, ~indigna-
tion 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. / well see enough what Foundes
and others think. though 4 say nothing.
L must submit to be shadowed, no mat
Ter yhArA I ore ahaaaeh-I Lone 40 L..eel.
down the fellows that steal after me,
and pop up in front of me, turn where
IL will"
"My poor boy!" replied his father.
who's face expressed a look of pain
and grief that touched Max ~Indescrib-
ably.
Perhaps l ought not 70 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 a stop it,
Max remarked. IF you complained
as il / feared them, and it would not
prevent them from having me watched
all the same. And / 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 fears produced by the
mystery surrounding the crimes COM
United or attempted within its walls,
made them DESTROYS OF leaving it for
a while.
You have only been back a few
weeks" the oun demonstrated. Must
I you leave me again 30 soon2"
why not come with us papa? The
change would do you good" his step
daughter suggested.
You know ! dislike going to strange
places, where ] cannot get about for
myself, as / do here he answered
ENORMOUSLY. Besides, I think we or
at least / shall remain here until the
mystery lis discovered"
II begin 10 despair OF anything ever
being found out" remarked Lady Bys-
she.
zone never knows remarked the
count, when light may be thrown on
the mystery, or from what point IL may
come
While he spoke the door opened and
the butler hurried forward with an air
of suppressed excitement, seeing which,
Max Immediately asked what was the
matter.
III you please. sir, Inspector Founaes
wishes TO see the count.
Wants to see mey"
He said IL was important. sir"
The count rose ~anxi0usIy. then In
hesitation cIutched the back
OF his chair. into which he dropped
WIN you see him heree" Lady Bys-
she asked.
A YOU please" the count mur~
murmed, HIS voice shaking
In another minute InspNctor Eo11ndeo
walked into the room, and with cap ~
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