The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-19

an international reputation at his back
he had been simple gentleman like Mr..
Durand, would you not consider me en-
titled to speak,"
"Certainly, but"
"You have no confidence in my rea-
against that splash of blood on Mr..
Durand' s shirt front, but such as they
are I must give them. But first, it will
be necessary for you to accept for the
nonce Mr.. Durand' g statements as true.
Are you willing to do thisF'
"I will try"
"Then, harder thing Yet, to put
some confidence in my Judgment. I saw
the man and did not like him long be-
fore any intimation of the evenings
tragedy had turned suspicion on any one.
[ watched him as I watched others. I
saw that he had not come to the ball
ure he himself hoped to reap from social
intercourse, but for some purpose much
more important and that this purpose
was connected with Mrs. Fairbrother s
diamond. Indifferent, almost morose be-
fore she came upon the scene, he bright
ened to surprising extent the moment
he found himself in her presence. N lot
because she was beautiful woman, for
he scarcely honored her face or even
her superb figure with look. All his
glances were concentrated on her large
fan, which, in swaying to and fro, alter
nately hid and revealed the splendor. on
her breast; and when by chance it hung
suspended for moment in her forgetful
hand and he caught a full glimpse Of
the great gem, I perceived such change
in his face that, if nothing more had
& - 1np q
to this woman and her diamond, 1 should
have carried home the conviction that
interests Of no common import lay be-
hind feeling SO extraordinarily dis
pleased.'
"Fanciful, my dear Miss Van Arsdale
Interesting, but fanciful.'
"I know. I have not yet touchee
on fact. But facts are coming, lnspec
tor.'
He stared. Evidently he was not &C
customed to hear the law laid down II
this fashion by midget of my pro
ECO on" said he, thappily, have
no clerk here to listen"
ct would not speak if you had. Thes'
are words for but one ear as yet. no
!, Of my thoughts.'
| "Proceed,' he again commanded.
, Upon which I plunged into my sub
sMrs. Fairbrother wore the real dig
= mond and no imitation, to the oaH.
, this I feel sure. The bit Of glass o
: paste displayed to the coroner 8 ]ur
1 was bright enough, but it was not tn
4 star of iight saw burning on her breas
|, az she passed me on her way to tn
t alcove.'
!; ''Miss Van Arsdalel"
0 FFThe interest which Mr.. Durand dl
I; PLAYED in it, the marked excitement int
= which he was thrown by his first view
) it's size and splendor, confirm IN m
h mind the evidence which he gave
/ oath (and he is a well-known damon
) expert, you know, and must have bee
rather than help his cause by this az
v mission) that at that time he believe
q the stone to be real and OF 1mmenS
h value. Wearing such gem, then, ST
= entered the fatal alcove, with a sm1
n on her face and quite prepared to en
ploy: her fascinations on whoev'
l. But now something happened. (Plea'
Il let me tell it my own .way) A sno'
y from the driveway without or bit
Is snow thrown against the window, DIRE
= her attention to q man standing b
y meath holding up note fastened to tt
- - end Of whip handle. I dc. not kno
4 whether or not you have found tn
a a man. If you haye- Inc Inc ms 1nspeSet, Sa,
1t maoe ma .o no T Sa1 nav 90 on With my suppos
n n S, tions' Mrs. Fairbrother took in tn
~ ~ note. She may have expected it al
u ~ for this reason chose the alcove to S
g. in, or it may have been surprise
y her. Probably we will never know tt
" " whole truth about it; but what we e.
3 know and do, if you are still holdl1
"a "a to our compact and viewing this crln
e. in the light of Mr. Durand>s explan
tions, is that it made change IN
and made her anxious to rid herse
Of the diamond. It had been decid
II that the hurried scrawl should rea
4. UTake warning. He means to be at t
n ball. Expect trouble If you do not gi
II him the diamond,'' or something to tn
Ger G effect. But why was it passed up
RI her unfinished9 Was the haste so grea
at I thardly think 80. believe in anoth
nd explanation which points vi, with staItll
a. a. person referred to In this broken co
munication was not Mr.. Durand b
one whom I need not name; and tn
Tia the reason you have failed to find tt
ed messenger of whose appearance y
h. have received definite information,
er that you have not looked among t
servants Of a certain distingulshed VI
dS tor in town. On, L DuIst toA'. W.
~ feyerish volubility as I saw the insp
,wre w tors lips open in what could not +
ge to be q sarcastic utterance, ~ kn kIG
ito what you feel tempted to reply. W
fl should a servant deliver a warnl
las against his own masters II you
ort be patient with me you will soon 8
an but first I wish to make it clear Il
ir- if Mrs. Fairbrother, having received t
i'd warming just before Mr.. Durand ,
OK peared in the a1cove, It would be j
his like the reckless, scheming woman
of was to seek to rid herself Of the obi
against which it was directed in
way we have temporarily accepted
to true. Relying on her arts, and posi-