The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-23
CHAPTER xxv111.

Jewels could have been wrenched open
and hidden by any n of those who
IL aad so promptly responded to the cry
H or help, seemed impossible; as the time
\ oetween the robbery and the alarm
4 would not have permitted the swiftest
\ 20 force the box, rush to the ~shrubbery,
Z Fecrete 1t, end res,lrp to the corridor
IN answer TO Geoffrey's call.
{ All the men-servants sleeping in the
house had nswered 10 Geoffrey's cry
Tor help. as we'll as the male members
Of the household, with one exception.
That circumstancial evidence pointed
10 that one exception as the individual
who had concealed the box. suggested
itself to all.
The discovery Of the box was painful
70 all, because of the thoughts it
prompted; and neither the family nor
the visitor referred to 1t. Nor did
hey even allow their eyes to meet, lest
mute Interrogation might draw forth
statements. For one and all Of them.
\ It was a time of nervous strain. anxi-
ETY. II heavy depression.
But meanwhile search for the miss
.ng jewels was continued with an en-
srgy stimulated by the high reward Of
His birthday Gift of the diamond and
sapphire bracelet, valued at about
S40O, was as nothing beside the royal
aecklac of Oriental rubies-the his
.orlc helflOom or centuries.
Everything was done to recover them,
hat imagination could conceive, in
Benuity suggest or patience could ac-
:omplish. but all in vain; for beyond
The finding of the box, no trace of them
was to be had.
The defan sulkiness and u%nconvinc-
ing Indifference displayed by Max
were never relaxed. His loud voice
contrasted with the subdued tones into
which the others had unconsciously
fallen. Occasionally Lady Bysshe
made efforts to appear cheerful, but
they We're spasmodic, and left her ex-
aausted n downcast. Dunstan, Who
was absent-minded and gloomy. sell
dom spoke, save when addressed, and
then answered as briefly as possible.
Godfrey Bysshe a been obliged to
return to the city. but he left the de-
sectives behind him. From the first.
Inspector Foundes greatly feared that
he jewels might be conveyed to town.
II the thief had an accomplish wait
Ing to receive them, they We're certain
!y lost to the owner forever: but this
was scarcely possible, as it was not
known to n one, save the barrister
n Lady Bysshe, that the former had
brought them with him, until he had
shown them, a couple OF hours before
their disappearance.
Very soon Max and Dunstan, as well
as the servants, grew aware that their
movements u VI uoOTS were CaTGIully
watched. In the solitariness Of the park,
ON lonely roads, in the n%eighboring VIII
lagos. wherever they went, they We're
sure to meet a detective in the dis
guise of a tramp. u laborer, a retired
soldier IN Distress, a groom. or game
keeper.
Dunstan submitted to this surveil-
lance quietly, Max secretly rebelled
against it, the servant dared not COM
plain, And yet the searching and
shadowing brought no resalt.
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
definite period. On being asked why.
he replied: You may as well know.
father, that 1 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 hin l have
stolen the jewels, because my being
out OF the house when the alarm was
given. l well see enough wha Foundes
n others think, though l say nothing.
l must submit to be Swallowed, no mat
ter where l g o though l long to knock
down the fellows that stea, after me.
and pop up in front of me, turn where
1 WILL"
My poor boy!" replied his father,
whose face expressed a look Of pain
and grief that touched Max indescrib-
ably.
Perhaps 1 ought not to have told
YOU" he said.
Eyes. yes; 1t is better that 1 should
know you were subjected to such in
IA TnnnC frnofr,nnf II -,,~ ,
Il don't see how you can stop it,"
Max remarked. III you complained
to Bysshe or to Foundes it would look
as If / 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 that she
and Edith had made up their minds
TO visit E~astbourne for a few weeks.
The fact was, that the gloom which had
settled over the house, together with
the nerNouse fears produced by the
mystery surrounding the crimes COM
m1tted or attempted within it's walls.
made them DESTROYS of leaving it for
a while.
You have only been back a 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 l dislike going to strange
places, where | cannot get about for
myself, as 1 do here" he answered
ENORMOUSLY. Besides, I think We or
at least | shall remain here until the
mystery is discoveries"
II 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 i
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.
IF you please. sir, Inspector Foundes
wishes to see the count"
Wants to see me?"
He said 1t was important, sir"
The count rose a%nxiously, then in
nervouse hesitation clutched the back
Of his chair. n which he dropped
again.
will you see him here?" Lady Bys-
she asked.