The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-23
CHAPTER XVIII.

jewels could have been wrenched open
and hidden by any one of those who
had so promptly responded to the cry
for help, seemed impossible; as the time
between the robbery and the alarms
would not have permitted the SWiftest
to force the box, rush to the shrubbery,
sccrete 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 well as the male members
Of the household, with one exception.
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 it
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.
it 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
fered by Godfrey for their recovery.
His birthday gift of the diamond and
sapphire bracelet valued at about
e400, was as nothing beside the royal
necklace of Oriental rubies-the his
toric 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 sulllness and unconvnc-
ing Indifference displayed by Max
We're never relaxed. His loud voice
" az viii la in n
which the others had unconsciously
fallen. Occasionally Lady BNsshe
made efforts to appear cheerful, but
they Were spasmodic. and left her eX-
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 Foundes greatly feared that
the jewels might be conveyed to town.
If the thief had an accomplice 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 BySsfe, that the former had
brought them with him, until he had
shown them, 81 couple of hours before
their disappearance.
y
as the servants, grew aware that their
movements out OF doors We're carefully
watched. In the solitariness of the park,
on lonely roads, in the neighb boring vii
lagos, wherever they went, they We're
sure to meet q detective in the dis
SuiSe Of tramp, labOrer, a retired
soldier in distress. "a groom, or game
keeper.
Dunstan submitted to this ,surveil-
lance quietly. Max secretly rebelled
against it, the 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 he was expected to re-
sumo his hospital work, Max answered
definite period. On being asked why
he replied: You may as well know
father. that am being watched by the
police"
"You?" 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 well see enough what Foundes
and others think, though l say nothing
l must submit to be Swallowed, no mat
ter where l go, though l long to knoc,
! 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 a look of pair
and grief that touched Max indescrib-
ably.
Perhaps l ought not to have TOLD
you," he said.
Yes, yes: it is better that l SHOULD
know you Were subjected to such in
| famous treatment. 1t must be stopped
II don't see how you can stop it.,
Max remarked. If You complained
to Bysshe or to Foundes it would lool
as if feared them, and it would MOI
prevent them from having me watched
all the same. And l am not afraid o1
Them
1t was evident this conversati ton I'D
ded TO the counts depression; bu. hi
became more detected, when, just be-
fore leaving the dinner table that sven
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 hac
settled over the house. together witt
the nervouse fears produced by the
mystery surrounding the crimes COM
mitted or attempted within its walls
|
While.
You have only been back few
weeks" the count demonstrated. Mus
| you leave me again SO soon?"
Why not come with US, papa? Thu
change would do you good" his step
daughter suggested.
You know 1 dislike going to strange
places where cannot get about 70,
myself as l do here" he answered
| ENORMOUSLY. Besides, think We O.
at least 1 shall remain here until III,
mystery is discovered.
II begin to despair of anything eve
| being found out" remarked Lady Bys
| she.
| One never knows" remarked tn,
| count, when light may be thrown OF
the mystery, or from what point it ma!
| come"
While he spoke the door opened anc
the butter hurried forward with an ali
OF suppressed excitement, seeing which
Max Immediately asked what was tn,
| matter.
If you please, sir, Inspector POUNDS
| wishes to see the count"
Wants to gee me-"
He said it was important, SIR
The count rose anxiously, then il
nervouse hesitation clutched the bacl
Of his chair, into which he dropped
again.
viii you see him here?" Lady Bys
(, she asked.
las you please the count mur
| imurmed, his voice shaking
II In another minute Inspector Founde
walked into the room, and with cap il
hand, stood at II respectful distanc
/ from the table, Unable to bear sus
!pense, Lady Bysshe asked what he Iaa
TO tell them.
IF you please, my lady" he replied
the Italian servant is arrested"
You have arrested my valet?
III Yes, sir. We had warrant out TO
/ him some time, and lest you nigh
/ | wonder where he was, l came to te
a you ne is safe in the police station"