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

| Inc next DAY saw me at ponce
headquarters begging an interview
from the inspector, with the intention
of confiding to him a theory which
must either cost me his sympathy or
open the way to a new inquiry, which
I felt sure would lead to Mr.. Durand' s
complete exoneration.
I 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 a 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 might be guilty of on
the head of him for whom risked my
reputation for good sense.
| Nor was / disappointed in this. In
spector Dalzells 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 a 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
ing so high in private and public es-
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 did not quail;
only subdued my manner and spoke
with quieter conviction.
II am aware said I, chow words so
daring must impress you. But listen,
sir; listen to what I have to say De-
fore you utterly condemn me. ack-
nowledge that 1t is the frightful posi-
ton into which threw Mr. Durand by
my oficious attempt to right him
which has driven me to make this
second effort to fix the crime on the
only other man who had possible &C
cess to Mrs. Fairbrother at the fatal
moment. How could I live in In
| action? How could you expect me to
weigh for a moment this foreigners
reputation against that of my own
lover? If have reasons"
"Reasons!" :.
reasons which would appeal to
all; If instead Of this persons having
an international reputation at his back
he had been simple gentleman like
Mr.. urand,-would you not consider
me entitled to speak?"
Certainly, but"
"You have no confidence in my rea.
sons, Inspector; they may not weigh
against that splash of blood on Mr..
Durand's shirt-front, but such as they
are l must give them. But first, 1t
will be necessary for you to accept
for the nonce Mr.. Durand's statements
as true. Are you willing to do this?''
II will try"
'"Then, a harder thing veto put
some confidence in my judgment.
saw the man and did not like him
long before any intimation of the
evenings tragedy had turned sus.
picion on any one. watched him as
watched others. saw that he had
not come to the ball to please Mr.
Ramsdell or for any pleasure he him.
self hoped to reap from social inter
course, but for some purpose much
more important, and that this purpose
was connected with Mrs. Fairbrother's
diamond. Indifferent, almost morose
before she came upon the scene, he
frightened to surprising extent the
moment he found himself in her pres
ence. Not because she was a beauti
full woman, for he scarcely honored
her face or even her superb figure
with look. All his chances were cen
tered on her large fan, which, in sway
Ing to and fro, alternately hid and re-
vealed the splendor on her breast;
and when by chance it hung suspend
ed for a moment in her forgetful hand
and he caught full glimpse Of the
great gem, perceived such change
In his face that, If nothing more had
occurred that night to give prom
inence to this woman and her dia
mond, should have carried home the
conviction that interests Of no com
mon import lay behind feeling sc
extraordinarily displayed"
''Fanciful. my dear Miss Van AIRS
dale! Interesting, but fanciful.'
II know. have not yet touched
on fact. But facts are coming, In
spector."
He stared. Evidently he was moi
accustomed to hear the law laid dowr
in this fashion by a midget of my pro
portions.
go on" said he; happily, have
. no clerk here to listen"
II would not speak If you had
These are words for but one ear aus
yet. Not even my uncle suspects the
direction of my thoughts
Proceed" he again enjotned.
Upon which plunged into my sub
ject.
Mrs. Fairbrother wore the real dia
mond, and no imitation, to the ball
OF this feel sure. The bit of glass
or paste displayed to the coroner:
jury was bright enough, but It was