Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-01
CHAPTER TX.
The Mouse NibbIes At the Net.


headquarters begging an interview
from the inspector, with the intention
of confiding to him theory which
must either cost me his sympathy or
| open the way ito new inquiry, which
I felt sure would lead to Mr.. Durand's
complete eXoneration.
chose this gentleman for my con-
| fidant, from among all those with
whom had been brought in contact
| by my position as witness in case OF
| this magnitude, first, because he had
been present at the most tragic mo-
ment Of my life, and secondly, be-
cause was conscious of sympa-
| thetic bond between us which would
insure me kind hearing. However
ridiculous my idea might appear to
him, was assured that he would treat
me with consideration and not visit
whatever folly I might be guilty of on
the head of him for whom risked my
reputation for good sense.
Nor was disappointed in this. In
spector Dalzell's air was fatherly and
his tone altogether gentle as, in reply
to my excuses for troubling him with
my opinions, he told me that in case
of such Importance he was glad to re-
ceive the impressions even of such a
prejudiced little partizan as myself.
The word fired me, and spoke.
"You consider Mr.. Durand guilty,
and so do many others, fear, in spite
of his long record for honesty and up
rightness. And why? Because you
will not admit the possibility of an.
other persons guilt,-a person stand
| L., ,scryN to, W. fN r,Jh nS
timation that the very idea seems pre-
posterous and little short of insulting
to the country of which he is an ack
nowledged ornament"
"My dear!"
The inspector had actually risen
His expression and whole attitude
showed shock. But I did not quail;
. only subdued my manner and spoke
with quieter conviction.
'I am aware" said I, chow words sc
daring must impress you. But listen
sir; listen to what have to say oe
fore you utterly condemn me. I ack
!. nowledge that it is the frightful posi-
ton into which threw Mr.. Durand b!
my officious attempt to right hin
> which has driven me to make thi'
second effort to fix the crime on tn,
? only other man who had possible &C
: cess to Mrs. Fairbrother at the fata
> moment. How could live In In
i action? How could you expect me t
. weigh for moment this foreigner
, reputation against that Of my owl
2 lover? If have reasons"
Reasons! s
reasons which would appeal t
40 h al,
u an international reputation at his bac
J. he had been simple gentleman Xix
y Mr.. Durand,-would you not conside
me entitled to speak?"
Certainly, but"
"You have no confidence In my res
!" sons, Inspector; they may not weig
q against that splash of blood on M
e Durand's shirt-front, but such as the
= are 1 must give them. But first,
q will be necessary for you to accer
e for the nonce Mr. Durand's statement
!, as true. Are you willing to do this !!
/ 81 will try"
g "Then, harder thing veto p,
IS some confidence in my judgment.
% saw the man and did not like hi
N long before any intimation Of til
n evenings tragedy had turned su
IT picion on any one. I watched him {
1t | watched others. saw that he ha
not come to the ball to please M
a Ramsdell or for any pleasure he hir
N self hoped to reap from social int
ID course, but for some purpose muc
n more important, and that this purpo!
n was connected with Mrs. Fairbrother
8 diamond. Indifferent, almost moro'
1@oro chn ,,S,N tho
IS frightened to surprising extent I'd
n moment he found himself in her pre-
It., ence. Not because she was a beau
re full woman, for he scarcely honor
to her face or even her superb figu
with look. All his glances were ce
vs. tered on her large fan, which, in swa
ne ing to and fro, alternately hid and
lis vealed the splendor on her breas
and when by chance it hung susper
m ed for moment in her forgetful hal
Sc and he caught full glimpse Of t
ed great gem, I perceived such a chan
rs. in his face that, If nothing more b
tu- occurred that night to give pro
inence to this woman and her d
ig, mond, should have carried home
as conviction that interests Of no co
OIL mon import lay behind feeling
of extraordinarily displayed"
ex- "Fanciful. my dear Miss Van A
lat dale! Interesting, but fanciful."
dr. RI know. have not yet touch
he on fact. But facts are coming,
we spector."
Fps He stared. Evidently he was 1
accustomed to hear the law laid do
10 in this fashion by a midget of my p
Lde portions.
in Go on" said he: happily, he
ex- no clerk here to listen"
as IT would not speak If you b
Of These are words for but one ear
to yet. Not even my uncle suspects
direction Of my thoughts"
lad Proceed" he again enjoined.
ON Upon which plunged into my S
lg- ject.
not Mrs. Fairbrother wore the real {
len mond, and no imitation. to the b
ter Of this feel sure. The bit of 81
out or paste displayed to the corone