Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-09-27

Il
IT'D those two weeks l must say a
~ word or two In regard to what
happened during them.
Nothing happened to improve Mr..
Durand's position and nothing openly
to compromise Mr.. Grey's. Mr.. Fair
brother, from whose testimony many
of us hoped something would yet be
Cleaned calculated to give a turn to
the suspicion now conferred on one
man, continued i'll in New Mexico, and
all that could be learned from him Of
any Importance was contained in a
| short letter dictated from his bed in
which he affirmed that the diamond
when 1t left him was in a unique set
ting procured by himself In France;
that he knew of no other jewel similar
| ly mounted and that IL the false gem
was set according to his own descrip-
ton the probabilities were that the
imitation stone had been put in place
of the real one under his wife's d.
| rection and in some workshop in New
| York, as she was not the woman to
take the trouble to send abroad for
anything she could get done in this
| country. The description followed 1t
coincided with the one we all knew.
This was something of blow to me.
Public opinion would naturally reflect
that of the husband, and it would re-
quire very strong evidence indeed to
combat a logical superstition of this
kind with one so forced and seemingly
extravagant as that upon which my
own theory was based. Yet truth Of
ten transcends Imagination, and, hav-
Ing confidence In the inspectors integ-
| rity, | subdued my impatlence for q
week, almost for two when my sus-
pense and rapidly eliminating dread of
some action being taken against Mr..
Durand were suddenly cut short by
message from the inspector, followed
| by his speedy presence in my uncle's
house.
We have little room on our parlor
| floor. very snug and secluded, and in
this room l received him. Seldom
! have I dreaded a meeting more and
seldom have l been met with greater
kindness and consideration. He was
so kind that feared he had only dis
appointing news to communicate, but
his first words treasured me. He said:
81 have come to you on a matter Of
importance. We have found enough
truth in the suppositions you advanced
at our last interview to warrant us in
the attempt you yourself proposed for
the calculation of this mystery. That
this Is the most risky and altogether
the most unpleasant duty which
have encountered during my several
years of service, l am willing to ac-
knowledge to one so sensible and at
the same time Of so much modesty as
yourself. This English gentleman has
a reputation which lifts him far above
any unworthy suspicion, and were 1t
not for the favorable impression made
upon us by Mr.. Durand in a long talk
we had with him last night | would
sooner resign my place than pursue
this matter against him. Success
would create horror on both sides the
water unprecedented during my ca
reer. while failure would bring down
ridicule on us which would destroy
the prestige of the whole force Do
|
dale? We cannot even approach this
naughty and highly reputable English
man with questions without calling
down on us the wrath of the whole
English nation. We must he sure be-
| fore we make move. and for US to
be sure where the evidence is all cir
cumstantial. | know of no better plan
than the one you We're pleased to sag
gest. which. at the time. l was pleased
to call quiXotic."
| Drawing long breath | surveyed
him timidly. Never had | so realized
my presumption or experienced such
a thrill of joy in my frightened yet
elated heart They believed in An
sons innocence and they trusted me.
insignificant as | was, 1t was to my
eXertions this great result was due.
AS realized this felt my heart swell
and my throat close. In despair of
speaking | held out my hands. He
took them kindly and seemed to he
quite satisfied
"Such a little. trembling. tear filled
Amazon" he cried. "Shall you have
courage to undertake the task before
you? If not
"Oh, but | have" said l. at Is
your goodness and the surprise OF II
all which unnerves me. can 60
through what we have planned IL you
think the secret of my personality and
interest in Mr.. Durand can be KEEP!
from the people l go among"
ut can If you will follow our advice
implicitly You say that you know
the doctor and that he stands ready
to recommend you In case Miss Pierson
withdraws her services"
yes, he is eager to give me a chance
He was college mate Of my fathers
How will you explain to him your
wish to enter upon your duties under
another Manner
> VERY simply. | have already told