The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-26

and ~ no turned 10 10 out he saw
Conroy standing with his coat drawn
back TO show hIs shield Jcsterel did
not start nor greatly change counte.
nance. A deeper sadness came into hls
brown eyes. and that was all
"1'ho gentleman has decided not TO
put the ring ln," said Conroy to the
pnwnbrokcr, and without word the
man passed II under tho wire screen,
bis fat hand yisibly appealing for the
money M Conroy took the ring Les
tcrcl laid down the 800 within reach
OF that hand and did not look at the
man nor at the money nor Mt Conroy
I'VE might walk around 10 your
rooms" said the defective, "if you've
no objection"
II have not brcakfagtcd," said Les
tcrcl. "shnll we not 20 first to some
restaurant
sorry" answered Conroy. but We
are going 10 your rooms relt away.
You can have gpme'hlng sent IN"
"As you will" WINS the response, and
then. when they were pom the street,
'thc ring. by the way. Is mine But
is doesn't matier"
"You admit that you're the manT
Lestcrel seemed scarcely TO colnpre'
bend the purport Of this question, be-
Ing too deeply absorbed In his own
thoughts.
"You got away with Mrs. Campbell'S
jewels2"
"Got awayr echoed Lesterel softly.
"Eo; would not say that | stole
them, however. and II you will take
me now to Mr.. Campbcl's Office will
tell him how they may be recovered"
"i'li attend 10 that part OF IT," said
Conroy. THE things are In your
apartments That's why you're 80
anxious to keep mo away from there"
~ swear to you" cried Leaterel,
''that the jewels are not there and that
I will put no obstacle In the way OF
your recovering them"
"Where are ,heyT
"Pardon me II ask you question
nrst. Who put suspicion upon mef
Was II Miss CampbclT
Conroy shook hs head and Mt the
same time tapped upon his breast with
q solemn finger.
~ never had the pleasure Of meeting
tho young lady" said he. 'It was me
that worked down TO you. more by good
luck than good Judgment, as I'm bound
to confess. but II no credits mine
none belongs to anybody else. So get
your mind at rest on that point"
II thank you," said Lesterel gravely.
"f'll give you another item OF con-
ISOLATION" said the detective. 'Thls
case is on the quiet, no far. II you act
right there's a chance you may 60
freas
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 floor
they encountered young woman. tall.
slender and quietly elegant In attire.
She was yelled. but Conroy would have
wagered any reasonable sum Of money
that there was pretty face behind the
veil. The sight OF her gave him live
ly uneasiness, but the effect upon Les
terel was far better Even the polish
Of his manner he might have
said he could have preserved upon the
rack or the scaffold-fell away from
him.
"Good Godr' he cried. miss Camp.
bell! Why are you here?'
But Conroy was saying to himself:
'"The fellow expected her. He knew
she would be here"
The girl made no reply to Lesterers
question. She made slight gesture
toward a door near where she stood.
Lesterel unlocked Il, stepped aside. and
she passed In. The two men followed.
'Tell me-" sale Lesterel. speaking
with quivering intensity, did you
know that this man suspected mef
Did you come here to warnf No, mol
It isn't possiblel But why
The girl turned toward Conroy,
steadying herself with an effort, for
she was trembling.
you are an officer, a detective. My
father hired you"
Eyes. MISS" said Conroy. you're
right. I'm in your fathers service,
and, being SO, I've got to do my duty
by him. And the first duty that I've
got to do Is to tell you that you mustn't
stay here, not another minute"
"You Will not tell him that came"
Conroy was silent It was Lesterel
who spoke first.
"After you have heard what shall
Disclose" said he, you will agree that
Miss Campbells presence was to have
been desired"
Meanwhile Lesterel had led the girl to
q seat Then on turning TO the detective,
he began 10 speak In voice that went to
Conroy's vitals.
"Time presses" said he. "I will be very
brief. have known Miss Campbell for O.
little more than month, but In relative
Importance all the rest Of my life is but
an instant, for only through the sight of
her have had any intimation Of what life
- A.. a. Ax,N