The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-19
THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL.
Author of "The Leavenworh Case "The Amethyst Box Etc.

ethyst Box" Etc.
another taken, was declared to be an
imitation,.fne and successful beyond
all parallel, but still an imitation, of
the great and renowned gem which had
passed thru Tiffany's hands a twelve
month before; a decision which fell like
the diamond blazing in unapproaehable
b1illiancy on the breast Of the unhappy
Mrs. -Fairbrother an hour or two before
her death. i. F..
On me the effect was such that for
days l lived in dream; a condition
from starting certain little inquiry Of
my own, Of which, more hereafter; and
when, in the course of time, it became
evident from telegram received from
Mr.. .Fairbrother, who had finally been
reached at some point in New Mexico,
now occupying the attention Of the
New York police, the veritable jewel
returned from Tiffany's. and none other
was what had passed from his posses
sion into that Of his wife on her de-
parture from his house. the question
with me was not so much thru whose
, cupidity, or for what reasons of per
sonai safety, or EN- oyment the false
had been substituted for the true, as
the time when.
To the police and such higher officials
as were interested in solving this curl
coded fact that this exchange had been
made prior to the ball, and with Mrs
Fairbrother's full cognizance. The
effectual way in which she had welded
her fan between the glittering orna-
ment on her breast. and the curious
glances constantly leveled upon It,
might have been due to coquetry, but
to many it looked more like an express
sion of her fear lest the deception in
which she was indHlging should be dis
covered.
But. these men were all interested in
proving Mr.. Durand guilty, while I,
tablishing such facts as confirmed the
explanations he had been pleased to
give us; explanations which neces-
STATED a conviction, on Mrs. Fair
brother,s part, of the great value Of
advisabiiity Of ridding herself Of it
temporarily, if, as so many believed,
the full letter Of the warning should
read: "Be warned. He means to be
at the ball. Expect trouble if you do
not give him the diamond.'
~ ceived concerning it. Unconsciously, to
/ herself she may have been the victim
). of daring fraud on the part of some
! hanger-on whoaAad access to her jewels.
5% fo =? sa s5e Ssd had as yet
n any secret lover or dishonest depend
y ent; and, moreover, as no gem of such
IS unusual value was known to have boon
10 offered within the year, here or abroad
W in public or private market, could not
p bring myself to credit this assumption
% credit another, and a, different one
d ono which you have already seen grow
id ing in my mind, and which, presump
~ tuous as it was, impressed me so mucf
IF with it's truth, that. on the jury rem
Y, dering 2 verdict which, while not &C
exonnerate him, I worked my courage. vi
70 to the point of begging an interview
as of confiding to him theory which
1e must either cost me his. sympathy, o.
is is Gpsn en- the way to a. nsw ing quirK whicl
if complete exoneration.
d. chose this gentleman for my con
Of fdant from among all those with whom
re had been brought in contact by m,
position as witness in case Of thi
re magnitude, first, because he had bee1
st my life, and secondly, because wa
lr- conscious OF sympathetic bond be
or tween us which would ensure me kin
he hearing. However ridiculous my ide
st might appear to him, was assured tina
lis he would treat me with consideration
guilty Of, on the head Of him for who1
l risked my reputation for good sense
Nor was I disappointed in this. In
spectOr Dalzell 8 air was fatherly an
his tone altogether gentle, as, in repl
he to my excuses for troubling him wit
IL. of such Importance he was glad to re
in ceiVe the impressions even Of snch
st. preiudiced little partizan as myself.
&C, The word fred me and I spoke.
,er "You consider Mr.. Durant guilty an
ut, so do many others fear, notwithstan,
)u- ing his long, record for honesty and VI
me rightness. And Why's Because you wi
re- person guilt, a person standing SO hig
in private and public estimation tn:
nm the very idea seems preposterous an
tn little short Of insult to the country
nv which he is an acknowledged orn
10 ment.'
onr 1 "My dear!'
de- The inspector had actually risen. II
He expression and whole attitude shove
bile shock. But did not quail, only su
at, dued my manner and spoke with quiet
ii, conviction.
no IT am aware,' said 7, Chow wor
,cs. sir; listen to what have to say befo
ght you utterly condemn me. / acknowled
his that it is the -frightful position in
+ which I threw Mr.. Durand by my of
ich cious attempt to right him, which h
md driven me to make this second effo
,g1c to fix this crime on the only other m;
ma who had possible access to Mrs. Fa
ion brother at the fatal moment. How cou
tie I live in inaction9 How could you 6
esS, pect me to weigh Tor moment u
lint foreigners reputation against that
cen my own lovery Ii have reasons
ing "Reasons!
any Reasons, which would appeal
and all, if instead of this PERSONS havi