Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-10

promenading again in the direction of
the alcove. A passing glimpse of Its
interior was afforded me as we turned
to retrace our steps in front of the
yellow diyan. The lady with the dia-
mond was still there. A fold Of the
superb pink velvet she wore protrud-
ed across the gap made by the half
drawn curtains, just as 1t had done a
half-hour before. But It was impos-
sible to see her face or who was with
her. What could see, however, and
did, was the figure of man leaning
against the wall at the foot Of the steps.
At first thought this person unknown
to me, then l perceived that he was
no other than the chief guest Of the
evening, the Englishman Of whom
have previously spoken.
His expression had altered. He
looked now both anxioues and abb
sorbed; so much so that was not
surprised that no one ventured to ap-
proach him. Again wondered and
again asked myself for whom or for
what he was waiting. For Mr.. Dur
and to leave this lady's presence? No,
and could not be there still; yet some
WOulSu IL ullllCulL lOl d luau W
leave them and, realizing this, could
not forbear casting a parting glance
behind me as, yielding to Mr.. Fox's
opportunities, / turned toward the
supper-room. 1t showed me the Eng
lishman in the act Of lifting two cups
Of coffee from small table standing
near the reception-room door. AS his
manner plainly betokened whittier he
was bound with this refreshment,
felt all my uneasiness vanish, and was
able to take my seat at one Of the
small tables with which the supper
room was filed, and for few min
utes, at least, lend an ear to Mr.. Fox's
vapid compliments and trite opinions.
Then my attention wandered.
had not moved nor had shifted
my gaze from the scene before me
the ordinary scene of gay and we'll
filled supper-room, yet found myself
looking, as IL through mist had
not even seen develop, at something
as strange, unusual and remote as
any phantasm, yet distinct enough in
its outlines for me to get decided
impression Of square Of light sur
rounding the figure of man In a pc
culiar pose not easily imagined and
not easily described. 1t all passed in
an instant, and sat staring at the
window opposite me with the feeling
of one who has just seen a vision. Yet
almos. Immediately forgot the whole
occurrence In my anxiety as to Mr..
Durand's whereabouts. Certainly he
was amusing himself very much else
where or he would have found an op-
nn,funitu nf inip hoF
this. He was not even in sight, and
grew weary of the endless menu and
the senseless chit-chat of my CON-
panion, and finding him amenable to
my whims, rose from my seat at table
and made my way to a group of ac-
quaintances standing Just outside the
supper-room door. AS listened to
their greetings some impulse led me
to cast another glance down the hall
toward the alcove. A mana waiter
was issuing from it in a rush. Bad
news was in his face, and as his eyes
encountered those Of Mr.. Ramsdell.
who was advancing hurriedly to meet
him, he plunged down the steps with
cry which drew crowd about the
two in an instant.
What was It? What had happened?
Mad with an anxiety I did not stop
to define, I rushed toward this group
now swaying from side to side in ir-
repressible excitement, when sudden
ly everything swan before me and I
fell in a sWoon to the floor.
Some one had shouted aloud:
Mrs. Fairbrother has been muir
dered and her diamond stolen! Lock
the doors!"