The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-03

am convinced from his cynical speech,
and the look which / have caught in
his eyes, that he is one who should be
deeply distrusted. So / think, and SO,
too, thinks my little Mary, who has d
woman's quick insight into character.
And now there is only she to be
described She is my niece: but when
my brother died five years ago and
left her alone in the world / adopted
her, and have looked upon her ever
since as my daughter. She is a SUM-
beam in my house--sweet loving,
beautiful, wonderful manager and
housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet
and gentle as woman could be. She
is my right hand. i do not know what
l could do without her. In only one
matter has she ever gone against my
wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to
marry him, for he loves her devotedly,
but each time she has refused him. /
think that if any one could have
drawn him into the right path 1t
would have been she, and that his
whole life; but now, alas. it is too
late-forever too late!
Now, Mr.. Holmes, you know the
people who live under my roof, and l
will resume my story.
when we were taking coffee in the
drawing-room that night, after din
ner, / told Arthur and Mary my expe-
rience, and of the precious treasure
which we had under our roof, sup
pressing only the name of my client
Lucy Parr, who brought In the coffee
had, l am sure. left the room: but l
cannot swear that the door was clos
ed. Mary and Arthur were much in
terested, and wished to see the famous
coronet but / thought 1t better not to
disturb it,
Where have you put it?' asked
Arthur
I'm my own bureau
"'Well, 1 hope to goodness the
house won't be burgled during the
night said he.
1T is lockd up / answered.
"'Any old key will fit that bureau
When / was youngster have open
ed it myself with the key of the box
room cupboard
"He often had a wild way of talk
ing, SO that | thought little of what he
said He followed me to my room,
however, that night with very grave
face.
! "'Look here dad said he, with his
eyes cast down, can you let me have
E200?
Ono. | cannot. / answered, sharp
| ly. I have been far too generous with
you in money matters
You have been very kind said
he: but / must have this money, or
else can never show my face inside
tho club again.
And very good thing, too l
cried.
Yes, but you would not have me
| leave it a dishonored man, said he.
L could not bear the disgrace. | must
raise the money in some way, then If
you will not let me have it, l
| must try other means.
1 60 hi a
third demand during the month. You
shall not have a farthing from me- l
cried; on which he bowed and left the
room without another word
when he was gone l unlocked the
burea, made sure that my treasure
was safe and locked it again. Then
| started to go round the house to
see that all was secure--a duty which
/ usually leave to Mary, but which |
thought it well to perform myself that
night AS | came down the stairs
saw Mary herself at the side window
Of the hall, which she closed and fas-
tended as l approached.
Tell me, dad said she, looking, [
thought, a little disturbed, did you
give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out
Tonight?
She came just now by the back
door. [ have no doubt that she has
only been to the side gate to see some
one: but / think it is hardly safe, anu
should be stopped
"'l on must speak to her III the
morning, or l will. if you prefer it.
AZ you sur rat everything is fasten-
ed?'
"'Quite sure, dad
"'Then, goodnight. / kissed her
and went up to my bedroom again
where | was soon asleep.
II am endeavoring to tell you every
thing. Mr.. Holmes, which may have
any bearing upon the case. but | beg
that you will question me upon any
point which l do not make clear"
ION the contrary, your statement is
singuarly lucid
81 come to a part of my story now
in which l should wish to be particu-
larly so. l am not very heavy sleep
err, and the anxiety in my mind tended,
no doubt, to make me even less so
than usual. About two in the morn
ing, then. l was awakened by some
sound in the house. 1t had ceased ere
/ was wide awake but 1t had left an
impression behind it as though a
window had gently closed somewhere.
/ lay listening with all my ears. Sud
denly, to my horror, there was dis
tinct sound of footsteps moving softly
in the next room. l slipped out of bed
all palpitating with fear, and peeped
round the corner of my dressing-rom
door.
Arthur! 1 screamed, you villain!
you thief. How dare you touch that
coronet?'
1.-The gas was half up, as | had left
it, and my unhappy boy, dressed only
in his shirt and trousers, was standing
beside the light, holding the coronet in
his hands. He appeared to be wrench
ing at it, or bending it with all his
strength At my cry he dropped 1T
from his grasp. and turned as pale as
death. l snatched it up and examined
| it. One of the gold corners with
three of the beryls in it, was missing.
"'You BLACKBOARD" / shouted, be-
| side myself with rage. You have de-
! stroyed it! You have dishonored me
| for ever, Where are the jewels which
you have stolen?
'Stolen!' he cried.
Yes. you thief l roared, shaking
| him by the shoulder.
There are none missing. There
cannot be any missing said he.
There are three missing. And
you know where they are. Must | call
you a liar as we'll as a theft Did |
not see you trying to tear off another
| ,,ia