The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-15

could not bear the thought OF wrong
ing anybody. ] was to give up every.
thing but my mothers jewels. II
seems-my father said-I don't-I cant
believe It now
She choked out little. dry sob. II
was some time before she seemed able
to continue.
II was told that my great-uncle's
collection of jewels had been my moth
er's property. He had In life q pas.
sion for collecting jewels, and It had
been his within to carry them with him
wherever he went. When he disd IN
Frognall street they were in the safe
by the head of his bed. I. In my grief.
at first forgot them and then after
ward careiessiy put on removing them.
ITO come back to my father. night
before last we were to call on Mrs.
Hallam. II was to be our last night
In England. We were to sail for the
continent on the private yacht Of
friend Of my fathers the next morn.
ing. This is what I was told and be-
ueNeu, you uuuerStunO.
THAT night Mrs. Hallam was dining
az another table at Pless. 1t seems.
l did not then know her. When leav-
ing she put a note on our table by my
fathers elbow. was astonished be-
yond words. He seemed much agi-
tated. told me that he was called
away on urgent business. matter Of
life and death. and begged me to 60
alone to Frognall street, get the jew
els and meet him at Mrs. Hallam's
later. I wasn't altogether q fool, for
began dimly to suspect then that
something was wrong. but / was
fool. for I consented to do as he de-
sired. You understand-you know
Il do. indeed" replied Kirkwood
grimly. Il understand lot Of things
now that | didn't FIVE minutes ago.
Please let me think"
But the time he took for deiibera-
ton was short. He had hoped to find
a way TO spare her by sparing Calen-
dar. but momentarily he was becom-
ing more impressed with the futility
Of dealing with her save in terms Of
candor-merciful. though they might
seem harsh.
II must tell you" he said, that you
have been outrogeously misled. swim
died and deceived. have heard from
your fathers own lips that Mrs. Hal
lam was to pay him $4,000 for keep
ing you out Of England and losing you
your inheritance. I'm inclined to Ques-
ton. furthermore. the assertaion that
these jewels were your mothers.
Frederick Hallam was the man who
followed you into the Frognall street
house and attacked me on the stairs.
Mrs. Hallam admits that be went
there TO get the jewels. But he didn't
want anybody TO know it,
But that doesn't prove
"Just a minute" Rapidly and con-
cisely Kirkwood recouuted the events
wherein he had played part subse-
quent 70 the adventure Of Bermondsey
Old Stairs. He was guilty Of but one
evasion. On one point only did he
slur the truth. He conceived It bis
honorable duty to keep the girl in ig-
norance o. his straitened circum-
stances. She was not TO be distressed
by knowledge Of bis distress. nor could
he tolerate the suggestion OF seeming
to play for her sympathy. II was nee
essary. then. to invent a motive to ex
cuse bis return to No. Frognall street.
believe he chose TO exaggerate the In
quisitiveness Of his nature and threw
In for good measure a desire to re-
cover ! priced trinket Of no particular
moment, esteemed for its associations
and so forth. But. whatever the fab
rication. II passed muster. To the girl
bis motives seemed less important
than the discoveries that resulted from
them.
Il am afraid" he concluded the sum-
mary Of the CONTEMPLATION he had over.
heard at the skylight Of the AIethea's
cabin. you'd best make up your min
that your father
"ves." whispered the girl huskily
and turned her face 70 the window. a
Quivering muscle In the firm young
throat alone betraying her emotion.
Its . bad business" be pursued re.
lentlessly--"b all round. Mulready,
In your fathers pay, tries to have him
arrested. the better 10 rob him. Mrs
Hallam. to secure your property 70.
that precious pet, Freddie. connives at
II she doesn't lnstIgate kidnapping
Your father takes her money TO de.
priye you Of yours. which could profit
him nothing so long as you remained
In lawful possession Of II. and at the
same time he consplres TO rob. through
you. the rightful owners. II they are
rightful owners. And, II they are.
why should Freddie Hallam 20 like .
thief In the night to secure property
that's bis beyond disputei | Cont
really think you owe your father any
| further consideration"
lie waited patiently. Eventually
Moor the girl sobbed assent
Its this way: Calendar. counting
on your spsring him in the end. u 20.
Ing 10 hound MS. He's doing u now.
There's Hobbs In the next car. for
proof. Until these jewels are returned
whether 20 FrognaIl street OF TO young
l Hailam. we're both in danger. both