La Junta tribune., 1906-12-29


~ start nor greatly change eOunte-
nancs- A dess<s sadness came into his
heown eyes. aud that was an
TIE geut.eman has decided not te
pat the ring In said Cooroy to the
pawnbrokef. and witA0Nt . w0rd The
man passed II under the wire scfeen.
his fat hand visibiy appealing Ter the
money as Conroy took the ring Les
terel laid down the 500 within reach
q that hand and did not look st ~
man nor .t the money Nor ut Cooroy.
I'VE might walk around to your
reoms." said the detective. ''if you've
Ne objection~
Il have not breakfasted." said Les
terel '-shan we not 60 first to some
restaurant
Sorry" answered Conroy. but we
are going 70 your rooms right away.
You can have something sent in"
As you will" was the response. and
then. when they we're upon the street.
the ring. by the way. u mine. But
10 doesn't matter"
-You admit that you're the manr'
Lesterei seemed scarceiy te- -compre-
bend the purport Of this question. be-
ing too deeply absorbed In his own
thoughts.
You got away with Nrs. camphelrs
1sweky'
-Got awayr' echoed Lesterel softly.
NO; I would not say that. l stole
them. however. and II 700 viii take
me now a Mr.. Campbsll's once will
tell him hS~ they may b recovered"
I'm attend to that part Of H." said
Conroy. The thinss are In your
apartments. That's Why you're 20
anxious to keep me away from there"
- swear to you." cried Lesterel.
that the jewels are not there and that
! will put NO obstacle In the way Of
your recovering them"
"where are theyr'
Pardon me II I ask you Q question
afst Who put suspicion upon me?
Was II Miss CampbeiiY'
Conroy shook his head and at the
same time tapped upon his breast with
Q solemn finger.
II never had the pleasure OF meeting
the young lady" said he. 1T was me
that worked down to you. more by good
luck than good judgu ent. as Tm bound
none belongs to anybody else. So set
your mind Mt rest ON that point"
II thank you" said Lesterel graveiy.
'I'li give you another item OF CON
solation.'' said the detective. This
case Is on the quiet. 80 far. II you act
right there's n chance you may go
free
When they came to the building
where he lived he begged leave to
speak privately TO the youth who was
In Attendance by the door. That favor
having been denied him. he slowly as
cended the stairs. with Conroy at his
heels. In the hall on the second fioor
they encountered n young woman, tall.
slender and quietly elegant In attire.
sbe was velied. but conroy would have
wagered any reasonable sum Of money
that there was a pretty face behind the
veil. The sight Of her gave him a live
~ unessiness. but the effect upon Les
terel was far better. Even the polish
Of his manner-which he might have
said he could have preserved upon the
rack or the scn fPOld-feli away from
him.
Good God" he cried. "Niiss Camp
hell! Why are you herer'
Bot Couroy was saying to himself:
The fellow expected her. lie knew
shs would be- here"
The girl made no reply to Lestercl's
question. She made . slight gesture
toward \ door near where she stood.
IIeeterel unlocked II. stepped aside. and
she passed In. The two men followed.
Tell me-" said I.esterel. speaking
with Quivering intensity. did you
know that this man suspected mel
Dsd you come here to warnf No. no.
II Isn't possible! hut Why
The girl turned toward Coaroy.
steadying herself with an effort. for
she was trembling.
-~Yoa aro 80 sarss. Q 1etscfive. Ny
father hired you"
yes, miss" said Conroy. you're
right I'm In your fathers service.
and. being 10. I've got to do my duty
by him. And the FIRST duty that I've
got to do IL TO tell you that you mustn't
stay here. not another minute"
-You will not tell him that camer
Conroy wns silent. II was Lesterel
who spoke nrst.
AFTER you have heard what shall
disclose" said he. you will agree that
Miss Campbclrs presence was to have
been desired"
MeanwhiIs Lesterei had led the girl to
. seat. Then, on turning to the detective.
he BEGAN to sprsk In a voice that went TO
Conroy's vitals.
..Tfrne presses" said he. Il viii be very
brief have known Miss Campbell for
little nors than a month. but in relative
importance all the rest of my life IL but
an instant. for only through the sight Of
her have I had any intimation Of what life
might be. Some days ago. IN a moment
Of utterly overpowering emotion. ! told
her-oh but a very little. a thousandth
part u my hearts longing She answered
me with a heavenly kindness which
>hail remember until the end Of my days