Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-20

tleHCe. III tell you the story ana see
what you make of 1t. First came the
chambermaid, who performed her du-
ties with neatness and dispatch. Then
dreary half hour passed. I had about
come to the conclusion that l might
have spared my pains when | caught
the sound of a key in the lock of the
outer door. | heard the door open and
close, and an instant later our friend
Tremalne appeared within my range
Of vision
."Tremainer I exclaimed. "Then he
had Thompson's key
Yes" agreed Godfrey. "But my
story's only begun. Tremane took a
look through the rooms TO assure him
self that there was no one here. He
tried the closet door, but didn't seem
surprised or suspicious when he found
1t locked. Then he went back to the
outer room. dropped on his hands and
knees and began to search"
For the diamondf'
$50 thought at first. couldn't see
him for a little while. but presently
perceived that he wasn't searching
over the body of the carpet. but around
its edges. He seemed to he looking for
place whore It was loose, for he went
very slowly from tack to tack. Once
thought he had found it, for he came
to a place where a tack was wanting
and ran his hand under eagerly. But
in a moment he brought it out again
empty
so it couldn't have been the dla-
mond,' l remarked in perpleYity.
NO. it couldn't have been the dia-
mond" asScnted Godfrey, his eyes shin
Ing. But Tremaine wasn't done yet.
Really, he'd make an admirable detec-
tive. | admired his methods, though
they also gave me clew to what he
was looking for. He placed chair
just here, before this desk, just oppo-
site the bedroom door. You'll rcmcm-
Der that Thompson also had d table
and chair similarly placed"
yes. remember"
Then he sat down in the chair and
began a minute scrutiny of the walls.
First that one yonder. lie went over
it inch by inch until he came 20 the
speaking tube Then he sprang up and
opened it and peered inside, even hold
ing a lighted match in. Let us Sec
and Godfrey also examined the tube.
Its empty"
Yes" | said. i've used it once or
twice. and it works oil right"
We'll, TNmalne wasn't satisfied
with that He ran his hands along the
top lodges of the doors, mounted a
chair and peered above the windows,
! examined every nook and Granny. At
last he gave II up, replaced things inst
as he had found them, glanced Mt his
watch and went away. Now, what was
he looking for?"
l cudgeled my brain.
Il don't know" said. IT can't i'm
agne."
Let me help you" said Godfrey. his
eyes shining still more brightly. Il had
time to think it all out In the closet
/ there. In the first place, he looked only
in the outer room; in the second place
he was plainly looking for something
/ that had been purposely concealed; ir
the third place. when he examined the
room he placed his chair just where
Miss Croydon had sat-
A flash of light burst upon me.
"The clippings," l cried.
',rhe clippings Just that. haven't
| the least doubt Of il. And that explains
another thing which seemed very puz
zlinC. IT explains why Miss Croydon
was So anx Gus TO rent this suit"
But how did he find out about
! Them" | asked ut last.
| II think they contain some secret ot
/ his. and he's concluded she hasn't got
them because she hasn't produced them
/ against him. And he's reasoned cor
/ reCtly in supposing that if she hasn't
got them she must have hidden them
here
! 1t was a good guess an adroit one.
"The question is" added Godfrey
| looking about him. where did she
/ hide them?"