Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-08
CHAPTER xI.
The Inspector Astonishes Me,

But before I proceed to relate what
happened at the end of those two
weeks, l must say word or two in
regard to what happened during
them.
Nothing happened to improve DR..
Durand's position, and nothing openly
to compromise Mr. Grey's. Mr.. Fair
brother, from whose testimony many
of us hoped something would yet be
cleaned calculated to give turn to
the suspicion now centered on one
man, continued i'll in New Mexico:
and all that could be learned from
him of any Importance was contained
in short letter dictated from his bed
In which he affirmed that the dia.
mond, when 1t left him, was in a
unique setting procured by himself In
France; that he knew of no other
jewel similarly mounted, and that If
the false gem was set according to his
own description, the probabilities were
that the imitation stone had been put
in place of the real one under mis-
wife's direction and in some workshop
in New York, as she was not the wo.
man to take the trouble to send
abroad for anything she could get
done in this country. The description
followed. 1t conceded with the one
we all knew.
This was something of a blow to
me. Public opinion would naturally re-
fleet that Of the husband, and it would
require very strong evidence indeed
to combat logical supposition of this
kind with one so forced and seemingly
extravagant as that upon which my
own theory was based. Yet truth
often transcends imagination, and,
| having confidence in the inspectors
| integrity, I subdued my impatience for
week, almost for two, when my sus.
pense and rapidly eliminating dread
of some action being taken against
Mr.. Durand were suddenly cut short
| by message from the inspector, fol.
lowing by his speedy presence in my
uncle's house.
We have little room on our parlor
floor, very snug and secluded, and in
this room l received him. Seldom
have I dreaded a meeting more and
seldom have been met with greater
kindness and consideration. He was
SO kind that feared he had only dis.
appointing news to communicate, but
| his first words treasured me. He
said.
II have come to you on matter of
Importance. We have found enough
truth in the suggestions you ad.
vanced at our last interview to war
rant us in the attempt you yourself
proposed for the calculation of this
\ TI,or ;c
and altogether the most unpleasant
duty which have encountered during
my several years of service, am
willing to acknowledge to one so sen
sible and at the same time of so much
modesty as yourself This English
gentleman has reputation which lifts
him far above any unworthy suspicion
| and were it not for the favorable i'm
preston made upon us by Mr.. Durand
| in a long talk We had with him last
| night, would sooner resign my place
| than pursue this matter against him
Success would create horror on both
| sides the water unprecedented during
my career, while failure would bring
1 down ridicule on us which would des
troy the prestige of the whole force
| LIZ Sou oOC lily MlSS v dI
| Arsdale? We can not even approach
this naughty and highly reputable
/ Englishman with questions without
calling down on us the wrath Of the
whole English nation. We must be
sure before we make move, and 70,
us to be sure where the evidence Is
all circumstantial know of no bette,
plan than the one you were pleased tt
suggest, which, at the time, | was
pleased to call quixotic."
Drawing long breath ] surveyed
him timidly. Never had I SO realized
my presumption or experienced sucf
a thrill of joy in my frightened We
elated heart. They believed in An
sons innocence and they trusted me
Insignificant as I was, it was to my
exertions this great result was due
/ AS | realized this, felt my hear
! swell and my throat close. In despair
of speaking held out my hands 81