The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-01-17

tense of continuing your investigations
and avail yourself Of some plausible
pretext for returning to Southampton.
Every thing at this moment depends
upon keeping Van Hoeck and Brace
in ignorance of our suspicion. And
with that view" he added, turning to
me, II counsel you, Mr.. Thorne, to con-
| ceal your own feelings. Not one of
these three ought to see any change
in your demeanor toward Them
This was sound advice, and | recog-
nized the Importance of conforming
with it; but I am the worst actor in
the world where my feelings are con-
cerned, and my very soul revolted
against the men who had plotted to-
gether to take my life from the mere
insensate greed Of gain. I felt more
bitterly toward Brace than toward his
accomplice, not because l thought Van
Hoeck less guilty, but because felt
more kindly toward the Judge, to
whom seemed linked by the brother
hood of labor.
I kept out of his way when we re-
turned to the library, and avoided
looking at him, lest he should perceive
that was no longer his friend. But
I knew he had his eyes upon me and
was reading the signs of my newly
born aversion, and this made my acting
worse.
When the officer had completed his
investigation, he said sagaciously, as
he closed his notebook:
81 have sufficient information for my
present purpose. may not be able
to discover the perpetrators Of this out
rage and robbery Immediately, but ]
think / shall be in a position to tell
you something about the lost diamond
within tWenty-four hours"
Sir Edmund accompanied him to the
door. When he returned and took the
seat he had occupied at the head Of the
long table, Brace arose, and placing
himself at the opposite end, inclined
his head first to the baronet. then to
the right, and to the left.
Squire and gentlemen of this COM
mittee," he said, IT don't want to speak
disrespectful of the police, but the in
telligent officer who has jest left us, as
if he'd got hold of the tail end Of a
rocket, and meant follerin' it right up,
and holdin' tight on till it bust, amt
goin' to do any good for hisself or
any one else in this business. The big
diamonds lost, end he amt goin' to
find it in twenty-four hours. nor in
twenty-four years. Eff it was a hay
stack don't say but what, with the
help Of Providence-and q good lot Of
1.-THE might be up to the job he's on
dertook. But it amt a haystack. End
eff he was to grind up the whole Of
this country, end every blessed thing
upon it small, buddled it in clean
fiume, and sifted the tailinls careful, he
wouldn't find it. End these bein' my
views, it stands to reason that l amt
goin' to hang about here lookin' at the
place where I've come to grief, like an
old female what's slipped off the side
walk on a bit of orange peel. With
your permission, squire, I'm goin' away
right off"
II cannot stop you, Brace, even if l
wished to-" replied Sir Edmund, who,
be it observed, knew nothing of the
suspicion against the Judge. II am
inclined to think that you will be hap
pier in seeking a new fortune than in
lingering about with the faint hope Of
recovering the old. If the diamond
is found you will hear of it wherever
you may be. Are you going to look for
another diamondw
No, squire; I'm goin' to find that,
please God,'' Brace replied; then, after
a moments pause. he said, There's a
matter of business to finish up before
so, sir; all the money have in my
pocket belongs to you"
TITS loan; keep it, Brace keep it
until you are in position to pay me;
and / hope, for your sake, that time
may not be far hence"
You're grit, squire, real grit-I won't
refuse your kindness. shall need a
bit to start with. But Til ask you, sir,
TO hold this till claim it."
He went round to Sir Edmund
"What is it, Brace?,, asked the baro-
net, taking the paper Brace drew from
his pocket He found it was the
Judges copy Of agreement. ooh, | do
not need this, my good fellow" he pro-
tested; II have your o U, and that is
as good now as ever it was"
'If you won't keep it for your own
security, squire. I'll ask you to keep it
for my own. It's a kinder ce'tif'cate,
and If any one hes got anythin' to say
agen me when Pm not here to defend
myself, I'll ask you to let that up.
Good-by, squire"
He held out his hand, and said. as Sir
Edward shook It cordially, Thank you.
sir, thank you'll You are grit"
He strobe down the room. brushing
past Van Hoeck, who sat immovable
and silent as though he were carved in
stone, and came to where was stand
Ing. My face must have told him that
my heart was hardened But he
stretched out bis hand, and said
hoarsely:
"Say goodbye to as, Partner"
folded my arms and shook my hea5.
He dropped bis hand by his side.
Perhaps you're right" he said. re-
morsely, perhaps you're not, Time
will show that I've got clean con-
science, il Heaven IL Just" He paused.
then in d still lower tone, ana with an
accent OF reproaeh, he added: Say
yer hope so. pardner, say yer hope so.'
Il hope &c." 4 said.
Tro ehocl- iafc hnaF FffafY.f1v-
"nraint yer old voice, Gentleman