Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-07-26

either side of the easement, were found
at the moment of the crimes discovery
closely drawn together. Certainly
suspicious circumstance. However, the
question was one easily settled. If any
one had approached by the balcony
there would be marks in the snow to
show it. Mr.. Ramsdel had gone out to
see. He would be coming back soon.
'Do you think this a probable expla-
nation of the crime?' l demanded of
Mr.. Durand at this juncture. IF re-
mem Der rightly, this window overlooks
the carriage drive. 1t must therefore
be within plain sight of the door
through which some 300 guests have
passed tonight. How could any one
climb to such height, lift the window
and step in without being seenT'
"You forget the awning" He spoke
quickly and with unexpected vivacity.
The awning runs up very near this
window and quite shuts it off from the
sight of arriving guests. The drivers
of departing carriages could see it If
they CHANGED to glance back. But their
eyes are usually on their horses In such
a crowd. The probabilities are against
any of them having looked up" His
brow had cleared; weight seemed re-
moved from his mind. when | went
into the alcove to see Mrs. Fairbrother
she was sitting In a chair near this
window looking out. l remember the
effect Of her splendor against the snow
sitting down in a steady stream behind
her-the pink velvet, the soft green OF
the curtains on either SIDE her bril-
liants and the snow for a background
Yes the murderer came in that way.
Her figure would be plain to any one
outside, and If she moved and the dla-
mOnd shone- Don't you see what a
probable theory 1t is? There must be
ways by which a desperate man might
reach that balcony. l believe
How eager he was and with what
look he turned when the word came
filtering through the crowd that,
though footsteps had been found in
the snow pointing directly toward the
balcony, there was none on the bal
cony itself, proving, as any one could
see, that the attack had not come from
without, since no one could enter the
alcove by the window without step
ping on the balcony.
"AIr Durand has suspicious Of his
own" l explained determinedly to my
self. HE met some one going in as
he stepped out. Shall l ask him to
name this person." No, did not have
the courage, not while his face wore so
stern a look and was so resolutely
turned away.
The next excitement was n request
from Mr.. Ramsdell for us all to go into
the drawing room. This led to various
cries from hysterical lips, such as, I'VE
are going to be searchedw "He be-
lleves the thief and murderer to be
still in the house, do you see the
diamond on me?" "Why don't they
confine their suspicious to the favored
few who were admitted to the al
cover"
'They WILL" remarked some one close
to my ear.
But quickly as I turned I could not
guess from whom the comment came.
Possibly from a much behowered, be-
1eweled, elderly dame whose eyes were
If So she received defiant look from
mine, which 1 do not believe she for
got in hurry.
Alas it was not the only curious,
might say searching glance 1 surprised
directed against him as we made our
way to where l could see my uncle
struggling to reach us from a short
side hall. The whisper seemed to have
gone about that Mr.. Durand had been
the last one to converse with Mrs.
Fairbrother prior to the tragedy.
In time had the satisfaction of join
ing my uncle. He betrayed great re-
lief at the sight Of me, and, encourag-
ed by his kindly smile, l introduced
Mr.. Durand My conscious air must
have produced its impression, for he
turned startled and inquiring look
upon my companion, then took me res
Olutely on his own arm, saying:
There is likely to be some unpleas-
antness ahead for all OF us. l 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 murderer
was one of the guests"
81 think so, too" said I. But why
l thought so or why l should say so
with such vehemence l 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 grewsome. l shall never cease
regrettng bringing you here tonight.
l shall seize on the first opportunity to
take you home. At present we are
supposed to await the action of our
host"
"He cannot keep all these people
here long" l ventured.