Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-05

| eAlS oOllCl . LII odI DIS SuuQSHty as lie
had seized 1t, Mr.. Grey caught up the
stilletto from the table where he had
flung 1t, crying: do you recognize
this?"
| All, then saw guilt!
In silence worse than any cry, this
so-called husband Of the murdered
woman, the man on whom no sus.
picion had fallen, the man whom all
had thought thousand miles away
at the time of the deed, stared at the
weapon thrust under his eyes, while
over his face passed all those express
sions OF fear, adherence and detected
guilt which. fool that was, had ex-
pected to see reflected in response to
the same test in Mr.. Grey's equable
countenance.
The surprise and wonder of it held
me chained to the spot. l was in a
state Of stupefaction, SO that |
scarcely noted the broken fragments
at my feet. But the intruder noticed
them. Wrenching his gaze from the
stilletto which Mr.. Grey continued to
hold out, he pointed to the broken cup
and saucer, muttering:
/
betrayal-the noise of breaking china,
can not bear 1t since
He stopped, bit his lip and looked
around him with an air of sudden
| brayado.
"Since you dropped the cups at your
wife's feet in Mr.. Ramsdell's alcove,"
finished Mr.. Grey with admirable self
possession.
Il see that explanations from myself
are not in order" was the grim retort,
launched with the bitterest sarcasm.
Then as the full weight Of his position
crushed in on him, his face assumed
an aspect startling to my unaccus-
toned eyes, and, thrusting his hand
into his pocket he drew forth small
box which he placed in Mr. Grey's
hands.
'"The Great Mcgul," he declared
simply.
1t was the first time I had heard
this diamond so named,
Without word that gentleman
opened the box, took one look at the
contents, assumed a satisfied air, and
carefully deposited the recovered gem
in his own pocket. AS his eyes re-
turned to the man before him all the
passion of the latter burst forth.
1T was not for that | killed her!"
cried he. 1t was because she defed
me and Haunted her disobedience in
my very face. would do 1t again,
yet"
Here his voice broke and 1t was in
different tone and with a total
change Of manner he added: "You
stand appalled, at my depravity. You
have not lived my life" Then quickly
and with touch of sullenness: you
suspected me because of the stiletto.
1t was a mistake, using that stiletto.
Otherwise, the plan was good doubt
If you know now how found my way
into the Above, possibly under your
very eyes; Certainly, under the eyes Of
many who knew me-"
u do not. 1t is enough that you en-
tered it; that you confess your guilt"
Here Mr.. Grey stretched his hand
toward the electric button.
mo, it is not enough" The tone
was fierce, authoritative. do not ring
the bell, not yet. have fancy to
tell you how l managed that little
affair.""
CHANGING about, he caught up from
nearby table small brass tray,
Implying it of It's contents, he turned
on us with drawn-down features and
an obsequious air so opposed to his
natural manner that it was as if an
other man stood before us.
Pardon my black tie" he muttered,
holding out the tray toward Mr.. Grey.
Wellgood!
The room turned with me. 1t was
he, then, the great fnancier, the multi
millionaire, the husband of the mag
nlticent Grizel, who had entered Mr..
Ramsdell's house as a waiter!
Mr.. Grey did not show surprise. but
he made gesture, when instantly the
tray was thrown aside and the man
resumed his ordinary aspect.
Il see you understand me-" he cried.
II who have played host at many a
ball, passed myself off that night as
one OF the walters. came and went
and no, one noticed me. 1t is such
natural sight to see waiter passing
ices that my going in and out of the
alcove did not attract the least atten-
ton. never look at walters when /
attend balls. l never look higher than
their trays. No one looked at me
higher than my tray. l held the
stiletto under the tray and when
struck her she threw up her hands
and they hit the tray and the CUBS
fell. have nver been able to bear
the sound of breaking china since.
loved her"
A gasp and he recovered himself.
That is neither here nor there" he
muttered. "You summoned me under
threat to present myself at your door
today. have done so. 1 meant to re-
store you your diamond, simply. II
has become worthless to me. But fate
exacted more. Surprise forced my Sc.
cret from me. That young lady with
her damnable awkwardness has put
my head in a moose But do not think
to hold 1t there. did not risk this in
terview without precautions, I assure
you, and when leave this hotel 1t will
be as free man"
With ~ y ;- = ~