Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1908-06-05

officers will question every Inmate OF
the house. Gentlemen" he said. turn
ing to the detectives, you have my
perm lssion to proceed In any manner
which seems bet TO you. We are en-
tirely In your hands"
"All right. sir" answered the de-
tective sergeant, whose name was
Flint. Wen take the servants first. !"
Richard was crossing the hall In q
vain search for Harriet when he
chanced TO pverhear this last remark.
His heart went down again. II Wool
sey Bills were questioned It would
mean far more than turning guilty
villain over 10 the authorities. He, the
master. would be forced 10 explain
also, and, taken in conjunction with
his own meeting with Mr.. Renwyck In
the library. the outcome would be
ghastly. to say the least. Yet he must
act on the detectives suggestion at
once.
"Shal send for my man" he asked
OF Mr.. Renwyck. who at that moment
came out into the hall.
"No." said his host 'well take my
own servants first James," he called
to a sphlnxlike butler In the hall, tell
all the servants to come into the libra
ry-all OF them. Underestimate"
"Yes. SIR" answered James. with a
solemn bow. and departed on his mis-
sion.
Richards heart went up again. He
had slight reprieye. 1t would last
perhaps twenty minutes, YET much
might happen In that span Of time.
He wondered idly If they would put
handouts on him. but dismissed the
thought In his determination to pay
for the stolen diamonds, inasmuch as
he felt responsible for WOolsey Bills.
When the time came he would confess
like man and take his medicine. He
would he denounced. 1t would be
dramatic. like the play Of the Man
and the Bird" only the name would
be changed. II would now be the
"Man and the Jailbird." How simple
to have opened that library window,
while Bills went out into the lexht
boarded a freight and deposited the
plunder In New York, The Texan was
innocent. of course, but would other
people think so? Yet she would. There
was comfort in that If she believed
In him. nothing else mattered very
much.
At this staye OF the proceedings there
was quite commotion on the front
porch. due to the arrival OF several
visitors. Harriet and Imogene went
out and greeted Miss Sempton nerv.
ously, explaining the state OF affairs
briefly, while Mr.. Renwyck also came
to the door, impatient at the unlocked
for interruption.
"Sir." questioned the pompous Eng
lish gentleman. who had arrived "a few
minutes after the lighter footed young
lady, "am correct in assuming that
that is Mr.. Jacob RenwyckY
Mr.. Renwyck bowed.
HIN. My card" went on the visitor
81 am, as you see Sir Rodney Hick.
wich. British ambassador ut Washing.
ton. have written repeatedly on mat
ters Of most urgent business to gen
teman who | learn has been a guest
at this charming home, but my letters
and telegrums have elected no reply.
humph. allude, sir to the Earl Of
Croyand. Does he chance to be still
with youg"
Yes answered Mr.. Renwyck.
Come in must apologize for our up
set state, hut the fact Is We have lust
discovered % serious robbery. Pray be
seated, Sir Rodney, Lord Croyand
was here "a moment ago will send
Tor him"
Il shall be obliged, I'm sure. regret
TO disturb You under the circum.
stances, but it's really most important
you know and
"Not ut ull" said MIR. Renwyck cour.
teouSly Jumes,' he called to the but
Ter, send some Que To Lord Croyland
with this card"
"les, sir" answered James. 81 think
l see him ON the lawn. sir. He's com
Ing now"
Richard having spicd Miss Scmpton
coming up the path. had promptly
moved out upon The lawn I'm order TO
postpone the inevitable discovery as
long as possible. He saw her 10 with
Harriet and lmogcne up the stairs:
. D.. d.