Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-17

i.
aid You have given us In this matter"
| Then, as continued to stare at him
in my elation and surprise, he added,
in quick explanations:
"The lights in the alcove, and in the
several parlors, are all hung with
shades, as you must perceive, but the
one in the hall, beyond the arch, is
very bright, which accounts for the
distinctness of this double rejection.
Another thing,--and it is very inter
esting point,-it would have been Inn
possible for this reflection to be no
ticeable from where you sit, If the
level OF the alcove flooring had not
been considerably higher than that OF
the main floor. But for this freak of
4 the architect, the continual passing to
and fro of people would have prevent
ed the erffection in its passage from
surface to surface. Miss Van Ars-
dale, it would seem that by one OF
those chances which happen but once
or twice in lifetime, every condition
was propitious at the moment to make
this reflection possible occurrence
even the location and width of the
several doorways and the exact point
at which the portiere was drawn aside
| from the entrance to the alcove."
ut is wonderful" cried, wonder
full" Then, to his establishment, per-
haps, asked if there was not small
door Of communication between the
passageway back of the alcove and
the large central hall
eyes," he replied. 'It opens just
beyond the fireplace. Three small
steps lead to it,
II thought So" murmured, but
more to myself than to him. In my
mind was thinking how man, If he
SO wished, could pass from the very
heart of this assemblage into the quiet
passageway, and so on into the alcove,
without attracting very much atten-
ton from his fellow guests. forgot
that there was no other way of ap.
proach even less noticeable-that by
the small staircase running up beyond
the arch directly to the dressing.
rooms.
"And Mr.. Durand?" stammered, as
followed the inspector back to the
room where we had left that gentle.
man. "You will believe his statement
now and look for this second intruder
with the guiltily-hanging head and
frightened mien?"
Eyes," he replied, stopping me on
the threshold of the door and taking
my hand kindly in his, m-(don't
start, my dear; life is full of trouble
for young and old, and youth is the
best time to face a sad experience) ii
he is not himself the man you saw
staring in frightened horror at his
breast. Have you not noticed that he
is not dressed in all respects like the
other gentlemen present? That
!, though he has not donned his over
coat, he has put on, somewhat pre-
maturely one might say, the large silk
der it? Have you not noticed this
and asked yourself why?"
had noticed 1t. had noticed II
fainting fit, but had not thought it :
matter Of sufficient interest to ask
even of myself, his reason for thus
hiding his shirt-front. Now could
not My faculties were too confused
my heart too deeply shaken by the
suggestion which the inspectors words
. conveyed, for me to be conscious OF
!, anything but the devouring question
| as what should do If, by my own
, mistaken zeal, I had succeeded in
. plunging the man loved yet deeper
into the tolls in which he had become
enmeshed.
The inspector left me no time fol
the settlement of this question. Usher
} ing me back into the room where Mr.
, Durand and my uncle awaited our re
turn in apparently unrelieved silence
, he closed the door upon the curious
eyes of the various persons still linger
ing in the hall, and abruptly said tt
Mr.. Durand:
"The explanations you have beer
pleased to give of the manner in which
this diamond came into your posses
|, sion are not too fanciful for credence
If you can satisfy us on another poin'
J which has awakened some doubt II
, the mind of one of my men. Mr.. Dur
} and, you appear to have prepared
yourself for departure somewhat pre-
, maturely. Do you mind removing tha
handkerchief for moment? My rea
} son for so peculiar a request will pres
entity appear"
| Alas, for my last fond hope! Mr.
Durand, with face as white as The
: background of snow framed by thu
uncurtained window against hich hi
| leaned, lifted his hand as if to compl.
with the inspectors request, then le
: 1t fall again with grating laugh.
II see that am not likely to escape
} any of the results of my impudence,'
: he cried, and with quick jerk baret
) his shirt-front
A splash of red defiled it's otherwise
: uniform whiteness! That it was til,
) red of hearts blood was proved b.
: the shrinking look he unconscious.
: cast at it.
CHAPTER Nv.
Exnlanatinns