The Cairo bulletin., 1904-05-14

paper Dack into my p0cket.
He followed it with his eye. 1t was
the memorandum | had found in the
old book of memoirs plucked from the
library shelf within, and he recognized
it for his and saw that | did also. But
he failed to show the white feather.
"You are good at ransacking," he OBJ
served. PITY that It cannot be done
to more purpose
smiled and made n fresh start
With my hand thrust into my pocket
remarked without even so much as
/. glance ut him:
II fear that you do some injustice
TO the police We are not such bad
fellows; neither do we waste rs much
time as you seem TO think" And, draw
ing out my hand with the little fligree
ball in it, | whirled the latter inno-
Gently round and round ON my finger.
AS it flashed under his eye | cast Il
penetrating look.
lie tried to carry the moment off sue
cessfully; | will give him so much
credit. But it was asking too much of
his curiosity, and there was no mis-
taking the eager glitter which lighted
his glance as he saw within his reach
this article which a moment before he
had probably regarded as lost forever.
For instance l Went on, watching
him furtively, though quite sure from
his very first look that he knew no
more now of the secret Of this little
ball than he knew when lie jotted
down the memorandum | had just
pocketed before his eyes, "a little thing
such little thing as this" | repeated,
giving the bauble another twist, may
lead to discoveries such as no common
search would yield in years. | do not
say that it has; but such thing is
possible, you know-who betterf'
My nonchalance was too much for
him. He surveyed me with covert dis
like and dryly observed:
Your opportunities have exceeded
mine. even with my own effects. That
petty trinket which YOU have presum-
cd 90 faunt in my facc-and Of whose
value am the worst judge in the
world, since | have never had it in my
hand descended to me with the rest
of Mrs. Jellrey's property, Your con
duct, therefore, strikes me in the light
of an impprtincncc. especially as no
one could be supposed to have more in
tcrest than myself in what has been
for many years recognized as a family
talsmaa."
"Ah," remarked, "yoQ own to the
memorandum, then. 1t was made on
the spot, but without the benefit Of the
talSman."
Il own to nothng" he snapped.
Then, realizing that denial in this re-
gard was fatal. he added more genial
ly: What do you mean by memoran-
dun? II you mean that rccapitulation
of old time mysteries and their accom-
panying features with which | once
whiled away an idle hour, | own TO
it. Of course. Why shouldn't i? 1t Is
only d proof of my curiosity in regard
10 this old mystery which every mem
Der of my family must feel. That Gu
riosity has not been appeased. If it
would not be indscreet on your part.
may | now ask if you have found out
what that little golden ball of mine
which you sport so freely before my
eyes is to be used in connection withT
"Rcad tho papers" I said; read to-
morrow's papers, Mr. Moore, or, bet
ter still. tonights. Perhaps they will
inform you"
He was rs angry MS had expected
him TO be; but, as this ire proved con
clusively that his strongest emotion
had been curiosity rather than fear,
felt assured Of my ground and turned
to re-entcr The house. Mr.. Moore did
not accompany me.
The major was standing in the hall
The others had evidently rctreatcd to
the parlor.
THE man opposite knows what he
knows" said |, but this does not in
Clude the facts concerning the picture
in the southwest chamber or the devil
ish mechanism"
"You are sure"
AS positive rs one Of my inexpcri-
encc can he. But major. am equally
positive that he knows more than lie
should OF Mrs. Jcffrey's death, | am
even ready TO state that in my belief
he was In the house when it occur
red.
HAS he acknowledged thist"
"Not at ALL
"Then what are your reasons for this
beliefT'
"They are many"
"Wili you state themT"
"Gladly, if you will pardon the pre-
sumption Some of my conclusions
cannot be new to you. The truth is
that | have possibly seen more Of this
old man than nay duty warranted. and
feel quite ready to declare that he