Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-10
Copyright by Harper G Bros.)

l have heard of you. l rely upon you not
only to be discreet and to refrain from all
gossip upon the matter, but, above all, to
preserve this coronet with every possible
precaution, because 1 need not say that a
great public scandal would be caused If any
harm were to befall 1t. Any injury to 1t
would be almost serious as its complete
loss, for there are no beryls in the world to
match these and it would be impossible to
replace them. l leave it with you, however.
with every confidence. and 1 shall call for 1t
In person on Monday morning
SEEING that my claimant was anxious to
leave, L said more; but, calling for my
cashier, / ordered him to pay over fifty
$1,000 notes. When / was alone once more
however, with the precious case lying upon
the table in front of me, 1 could not but
think with some misgivings of the immense
responsibility which 1t entailed upon me.
There could be no doubt that, as it was a
national possession. horrible scandal
would ensue If any misfortune should occur
to 1t. already regretted having ever con-
scented to take charge of 1t. However, 1t
was too late to alter the matter now. 50
locked 1t up in my private safe and turned
once more to my work.
when evening came / felt that 1t would
be an imprudence to leave so precious
thing in the office behind me. Bankers
safes had been forced before now, anu
why should not mine be? II SO. how ter
should find myself! 1 determined. there
fore. that for the next few days l would
always carry the case backward ana lor-
ward with me, SO that 1t might never De
really out of my reach. With TINS inten-
ton 1 called a cab and drove out to my
house at Streatham. carrying the jewel
with me. 1 did not breathe freely until 1
had taken 1t upstairs and locked 1t In the
bureau Of my dressing room.
And now a word as to my household,
Mr.. Holmes. for l wish you to thoroughly
understand the situation. My groom and
my page sleep out of the house, and may
be set aside altogether. l have three
maid servants who have been. with me
number of years, and whose ahso-
lutte reliability Is quite above suspicion.
Another, Lucy Parr, the second waiting
maid. has only been in my service few
months. She came with an excellent char
acter. however, and has always given me
satisfaction. She Is a very pretty girl,
and has attracted admirers who have oc-
scasionally hung about the place. That Is
the only drawback which we have found
to her, but we believe her to be a thor
oughly good girl in every way.
SO much for the servants. My family
Itself is so small that it will not take me
long to describe 1t. l am a widower, and
have an only son. Arthur. He has been a
disappointment to me. Mr.. Holiness
grievous disappointment l have no doubt
that am myself to blame. People tell me
that 1 have spoiled him. Very likely 1
have. When my dear wife died l felt that
he was all had to love. l could not bear
to see the smile fade even for a moment
from his face have never denied him
a wish. Perhaps it would have been bet
ter for both Of us had l been sterner, but
L meant 1t for the best
1T was naturally my intention that he
should succeed me In my business. but he
was not Of a business turn. He was wild.
hayward and, to speak the truth, l could
not trust him In the handling of large
sums Of money. When he was young he
became a member of ariStocratic club.
and there having charming manners, he
was soon the intimate of number Of men
with long purses and expensive habits. lie
learned to play heavily at cards and to
squander money on the turf, until he had
again and again to come to me and i'm
plOred me to give him an advance upon his
allowance, that he might settle his debts
of homer. He tried more than once to
break away from the dangerous company
which he was keeping. but each time the
influence Of his friend Sir George Burn
well. was enough to draw him back again
And, Indeed, l could not wonder that
such man as Sir George Burnwell should
gain an influence over him, for he has fire.
quently brought him to my house, and 1
have found myself that I could hardly re-
sist the fascination OF his manner. He is
older than Arthur man of the world to
his fnger-ttps, one who has been every
where, seen everything, brilliant talker
and man Of great personal beauty. Yet
when l think of him In cold blood. far away
from the glamour of his presence, / am con-
WINGED from his cynical speech, and the
look winch L nave caught IN MS eyes, tflat
he is one who should be deeply dlstrusted.
So I think. and so. too. thinks my little
Mary who has woman's quick insight into
character.
And now there is only she to be de-
scribed. 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 sunbeam in my house-sweet. low
ing. beautiful. wonderful manager and
hOusekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and
gentle as a woman could be. She is my
right hand do not know what I would
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. l think that II any one could
have drawn him into the right path 1t would
have been she, and that his marriage might
have changed his whole life; but now, alasi
1t Is too late-forever too late
Now Mr.. Holmes. you know the people
who live under my roof, and l shall con-
tinue with my miserable story.
When we were taking coffee in the
drawing room that night after dinner l
told Arthur and Mary my experience and
or the precious treasure which we had under
our roof, suppressing only the name of my
client. Lucy Parr, who had brought IN the
coffee, had, am sure, left the room; but l
cannot swear that the door closed.
Mary and Arthur were much interested and
wished 10 see the famous coronet but l
thought 1t better not to disturb It,
Where have you put It? asked Arthur.
" In my own bureau
Well, / hope to goodness the house
won't be burgled during the night said he
" 1T is locked up | answered.
" oh, any old key will fit that bureau.
When l was youngster l have opened II
myself with the key OF the box room cup
board
He often had wild way Of talking. so
that l thought little of what he said He
followed me to my room, however that
night with a very grave face.
" Look here dad" said he. with his eyes
cast down, can you let me have a2OOT
q" No, I cannot! 1 answered, sharply. 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 l can
never show my face inside the club again
" And very good thing. toov cried.
Yes, but you would not have me leave
1t a dishonored man. said he. could not
bear the disgrace I must raise the money
IN some way and II you will not let me
have It then l must try other means
" was very angry, for this was the third
demand during the month. You shall not
have farthing from me-, cried; on which
he bowed and left the room without an
other word.
when he was gone ! unlocked my bu-
reau, made sure that my treasure was safe
and locked It again. Their l started to go
round the house to see that all was secure
a 1. E-A. H. L.,