The Washington times., 1909-03-29
A DAUGHTER OF MYSTERY

it. I want to believe that each of you
Is honest-and yet the diamonds have
gone and one OF you must have taken
them"
But why should you confne your
suspicious to us?" protested Wilbur
An outsider may have committed this
ROBBERY. Have you notified the police,
MI harrington? If not. you ought to
90 so at once. before the thief has a
chance to get far away"
intend to notify the police later
-When l have caught the thief" re-
phed Frank harrington grimly. "They
could do no good now. The thief Is
no outsider The diaU0nds were stolen
Dy somebody connected with this Of
/ Hce-somebody who knows the COM
bination OF that SAFE
aghast
Absolutely positive You know that
we always keep that safe closed. To
get at those diamonds the thief either
| had 10 break open the safe or work the
combination. He did not break it open
Inc lock is still intact And there are
ohly four persons In the world who
KNOW that combination-myself, nv
Orother' yourself. and Miss Hamilton -
GOOD heavensi' gasped Wilbur again.
rms Is awful 1t must be"
he stopped abruptly. hesitating 10
give expression to the thought that had
entered his mind.
Must be who?' demanded Frank
harrington, eagerly. go on. Leslie.
Don't be afraid to speak out. If you
nave cause TO suspect anybody don't
hesitate To name him-or her"
Wei, / hate to say IT. sir" con-
tinued Wilbur, slolly. "but If the dia-
monds were really stolen by one of the
four you have named 1t is very evident
who the third must be- 1t couldn't have
been Miss Hamilton, and swear that I
am innocent. That leaves only one to
suspect"
You mean my brother?' said the
senior rartner, grimly.
Wilbur nodded, and his face flushed as
he caught the look OF scorn which Miss
Hamilton directed at him.
Yes, I mean Mr.. Arthur. Who else
could it be? AS you say, there are only
four OF US who know the combination
of that safe"
But why should conffne my sus-
picions to my brother?'' demanded thc
senior partner, hoarsely. ''Why
shouldn't I suspect you? Why shouldn't
1 suspect Miss Hamilton? Either one
Of you may have stolen the diamonds" g"
If you suspect me you are making
great mistake declared Wilbur, in
dignantly. II am no thief, Mr.. Bar
rIngton. And I am absolutely positive
that Miss Hamilton is equally inno-
cent You are doing her a great in
Justice, sir, even to hint that she could
be capable of such an art
At these words Frank Darlington
darted keen glance at the young
man The girl suddenly burst into
tears.
Don't cry. Miss Hamilton" said the
senior partner quite gently. IF you
are Innocent there is no reason for you
10 be distressed I don't want to hurt
your feelings: but unfortunately for you
L intrusted you with the secret Of the
combination Of that safe the other day,
and, therefore, you must stand suspect
ed with the rest"
AS ne spoke his glance suddenly fell
upon the girls leather handbag lying
upon the typewriter desk He pounced
upon 1t with the agility Of a cat pounc-
ing upon mouse
Even amid the excitement of that mo-
moment Wilbur Leslie did net fail 10
observe now closely the senior part
ners features resembled those of a.
fox.
Without a word Of apology TO the
girl, Frank harrington tore open the
bag and examined its contents.
Then he uttered a cry Of triumph.
See here, LesIiei Look at thisl I
have found the theft"
he held up a white paper package
and quickly unfolding it revealed to
Wilbur's astonished gaze a score Of
sparkling, unmounted gems.
Here are the missing diamonds" he
cried triumphantly. land here is the
person who stole them" he added.
pointing sternly TO the trembling girl
You viii bear witness, Leslie, that
sound them in her hand bag. Now
run and summon the police"
The Continuation OF This Story VIII
BE Found I'm TomOrroyy's
a.