Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-08-20

"rnere are several points in Mr.. sears's story 1 want explained"
he cried. "Be seated, Sir Andrew" he begged. Tet us have the
opinion of an expert. I do not care what the police think, 1 want to
know what you think" il
But Sir Henry rose reluctantly from his chair.
II should like nothing better than to discuss this" he said. "But
ii most important that 1 proceed to the House. 1 should have been
there some time ago." He turned toward the servant and directed him
The gentleman with the pearl stud looked appealingly at the Naval
Atache. "There are surely many details that you have not told us"
he urged. "Some you have forgotten"
The Baronet interrupted quickly.
II trust not, he said, "for I could not possibly stop to hear them"
"The story is finished" declared the Naval Attache; "untl Lord
Arthur is arrested or the bodies are found there is nothing more to
tell of either Chetney or the Princess Itchy"
"Of Lord Chetney perhaps not" interrupted the sportinglooking
gentleman with the black tie, "but therell always be something to tell
OF the Princess Itchy. know enough stories about her to fill a book.
She was a most remarkable woman" The speaker dropped the end of
his cigar into his coffee cup and, taking his case from his pocket, Sc
lected a fresh one. As he did so he laughed and held up the case that
the others might see it. 1t was an ordinary cigarcase of wel-worn
pigskin, with a silver clasp.
"The only time I ever met her, he said, "Ae tried to rob me of
this" ..~t.
The Baronet regarded him closely. i !. .#*5M,,x
"she tried to rob youw he repeated.
"Tried to rob me of this" continued the gentleman in the black
tie, "and of the Czarnas diamonds" His tone was one of mingled
admiration and injury.
"The Czarinas diamondsw exclaimed the Baronet. He glanced
quickly and suspicously at the speaker, and then at the others about
the table. But their faces gave evidence of no other emotion than that
of ordinary interest.
eyes, the Czarinas diamonds,'' repeated the man with the black
tie. cit was a necklace of diamonds. I was told to take them to the
Russian Ambassador in Paris who was to deliver them at Moscow. I
am a Queens Messenger" he added.
ooh, I see,' exclaimed Sir Andrew in a tone of relief. "And YOU
say that this same Princess Itchy, one of the victims of this double
murder, endeavored to rob you of-of-that cigarcase."
"And the Czanna's diamonds,' answered the Queens Messenger
imperturbably. cts not much of a story, but it gives you an idea Of
the woman's character. The robbery took place between Paris and
Marseilles"
The Baronet interrupted him with an abrupt movement. "No,
no" he cried, shaking his head in protest. "Do not tempt me. I
really cannot listen. must be at the House in ten minutes"
81 am sorry" said the Queens Messenger. He turned to those
seated about him. II wonder if the other gentlemen"- he inquired
tentatively. There was a chorus of polite murmurs, and the Queens
Messenger, bowling his head in acknowledgment, took a preparatory
sip from his glass. At the same moment the servant to whom the man
with the black pearl had spoken, slipped a piece of paper into his hand.
He glanced at it, frowned, and threw it under the table.
The servant bowed to the Baronet. .I#
"Your hanson is waiting, Sir Andrew" he said.
"Ihe necklace was worth twenty thousand pounds" began the
Queens Messenger. "It was a present from the Queen of England
to celebrate"- The Baronet gave an exclamation of angry annoy
ance. G.u 80:
upon my word, this is most provoking" he interrupted. "I
really ought not to stay. But [ certainly mean to hear this" He
turned irrtably to the servant. "Tell the hanson to wait" he com
manded, and, with an air of a boy who is playing truant, slipped
gultily into his chair.
The gentleman with the black pearl smiled bandly, and raped
upon the table.
"Order, gentlemen" he said. "Order for the story of the Queens
Messenger and the Czarina's diamonds"