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

pleaSantneSS ahead Tor all OF us. do
not think the police will allow any
one to go till that diamond has been
looked for. This is very serious
matter, dear. So many think the MUIR
derer was one Of the guests
II think SO, too," said l. But why
| thought so or why should say SO
with such vehemence, do not know
even now.
| My uncle looked surprised.
you had better not advance any
opinions" he advised. "a lady like
yourself should have none on a sub
ject so gruesome. I shall never cease
regretting bringing you here tonight.
I shall seize on the first opportunity
to take you home. At present we are
supposed to await the action OF our
host"
He can not keep all these people
here long," ventured.
mo; most of us will be relieved
soon. Had you not better get your
wraps SO as to be ready to go as soon
as he gives the word?"
Il should prefer to have a peep at
the people in the drawing-room first, ;"
was my perverse reply. Il don't know
why l want to see them, but l do;
and, uncle, might as well tell you
now that engaged myself to Mr.
Durand this eyening-the gentleman
with me when you first came up"
you have engaged yourself to-to
this man-to marry him, do you
mean?"
1 / nodded, with a sly look behind to
see If Mr.. Durand were near enough
to hear. He was not, and allowed
my enthusiasm to escape in a few
quick words.
Gle has chosen me-" I said, the
plainest, most uninteresting puss in
the whole CITY," My uncle smiled.
"And believe he loves me; at all
events, know that l love him."
My uncle sighed, while giving me
the most affectionate of chances.
TITS pity you should have come
to this understanding tonight" said
he. He's an acquaintance of the
murdered woman, and it is only right
for you to know that you will have
to leave him behind when you start
for home. All who have been seen
entering that alcoYe this evening will
necessarily be detained here till the
coroner arrives"
My uncle and / strolled toward the
drawing-room and as we did so we
passed the library. 1t held but one
occupant, the Englishman. He was
seated before table, and his appear
ance was such as precluded any at
tempt at intrusion, even if one had
been so disposed. There was fixity
in his gaze and frown on his power
full forehead which bespoke mind
greatly agitated. 1t was not for me
to read that mind, much as it inter-
ested me, and passed on, chatting,
as If I had not the least desire to
stop.
1 I can not say how much time
elapsed before my uncle touched me
on the arm with the remark:
1.-THE police are here in full force.
I saw a detective in plain clothes
look in here a minute ago. He
seemed to have his eye on you. There
he is again! What can he want? No,
don't turn; he's gone away now"
Frightened as had never been in
all my life, managed to keep my
head up and maintain an Indifferent
aspect. What, as my uncle said, could
/ detective want of me? I had
nothing to do with the crime; not in
the remotest way could be said to
be connected with it; why, then, had
1 caught the attention of the police?
Looking about, sought Mr.. Durand.
He had left me on my uncle's coming
up, but had remained, as I supposed,
within sight. But at this moment he
was nowhere to be seen. Was 1
afraid on his account? Impossible;
yet
! Happily just then the word was
passed about that the police had
given orders that, with the exception
Of such as had been requested to re-
main to answer questions, the guests
generally should feel themselves at
liberty to depart.
i The time had now come to take a
stand and informed my uncle, to
his evident chalgrin, that should not
leave as long as any excuse could be
found for staying.
Il He said nothing at the time, but as
the noise of departing carriages grad
ually lessened and the great hall and
drawing-rooms began to wear a look
of desertion he at last ventured on
this gentle protest:
"You have more pluck, Rita, than
supposed. Do you think it wise to
stay on here? Will not people
imagine that you have been requested
ito do to? Look at those walters
hanging about in the different door.
ways. Run up and put on your wraps
Mr.. Durand will come to the house
fast enough as soon as he is released
give you leave to sit up for him If
you will; only let us leave this place
before that impertinent little man
dares to come around again." he art
fully added.
But I stood firm, though somewhat
moved by his final suggestion; and
being small tyrant in my way. al
least with him, I carried my point.
Suddenly my anxiety became poig
nant. A party of men, among whom
I saw Mr.. Durand, appeared at the
end of the hall, led by very small
but self-important parsonage whom
my uncle Immediately pointed out as
the detective who had twice come tc
the door near which I stood. AS this
man looked up and saw me still
there, a look of relief crossed his
face, and, after word Or two with