Willmar tribune., 1909-06-02
dishabille and inclined Do ,hr1nr ,ot,

diSapprOVal written In capital letters
across her back, and indignation hans.
ing from her shoulder blades.
"Well?" she said, coldly, after . mo-
ment's silence.
First" said Mr.. Blake, with a note
of calm authority in his voice; Il must
ask you to listen to my story without
Interruptions, and to accept for the
time being any statements may
make. Later shall be in position
to prove them"
II hope sc" murmured Gabrielle,
plainly unimpressed.
Mr.. Blake handed her a chair with
the same careful courtesy which had
hitherto marked his intercourse with
us, and waited until she was seated be-
fore saying anything more. Gabrielle
sat rigidly upright, but suddenly re-
membered that her feet, incased in
bedroom slippers, were minus stock
ings. and therefore drew them quickly
under the folds of her kimono, which
hasty act was rather refreshing, since
it proved her but mortal, after all.
Il do not suppose he began, in the
calm, level tone so irritating when
ones excitement is at fever heat, you
will believe me when I say that Mrs.
Bundy's emeralds are in your safe.
Please don't take the trouble to deny
it, for I know I am speaking the
truth.
ALSO, I wish to say that they were
placed there by the woman you have
received and entertained as Lady
Campbell, but who is in reality no.
torious character and badly wanted by
the police"
Il don't believe it,"
1t was Elizabeth who spoke, and her
words were freighted with sincere cons
victiOn.
Il did not expect you %. 1t is true.
nevertheless. This woman is knowa
as Nell Simms, and her career has
been marvellous. For some years she
| was-well, associated with famous
criminal named James Kilroy, who
gave the police long, hard chase be.
fore his capture. He had many
strings to his bow, not the least among
them the smuggling of diamonds and
other articles none too honestly &C:
| quired: since his arrest this woman
has directed the business. She is
| clever wonderfully clever"
| There was sincere, if unwilling, ad.
miration in his tone, and he paused
thoughtfully before resuming his
story.
| 1T has been my business this sum.
mer to look up this matter of snug
Cling, and have followed the history
of this woman as closely as could.
After the arrest of her chosen compan.
ion she married the man you know as
Lord Wilfrid Campbell, who is well.
known thief and a member of the
small and select band of smugglers.
but who is far from being as clever as
she. He is also the son of your serw
ant, Mary Anne Brown"
Across my mind rushed the recok
lection of the conversation l had over
heard in the cellar and the memory OF
the mans voice, certain infections OF
| which had haunted me with their ia,
miliarity. For some reason l looked
across at Gordon Bennett, only to find
him watching me intently, an anxious
expression in his blue eyes, where re-
lief was mingled with sympathy. ]
wondered if he knew what had been
thinking, and Immediately looked away
again.
"Thc son of your servant" contin.
ued Mr.. Blakee even voice, "and Z
dangerous character-wanted for mur
der in Montreal. These people, young
ladies, have used you for their own
purposes. This cottage you live in be.
longs to them, and you were put here
as buffer to avert suspicion. Your
servant was sent here to watch you
and drug you when necessary; your
boathouse was used to conceal their
boats, and your cellar to store their
goods. A passage at the back-hidde7
by the empty dry goods box-leads in
to the boathouse. With the mans
mother as your servant and under
their control, it was easy for them to
carry on whatever operations they
chose, and to battle the secret service.
But your safety, even your lives, were
in danger"
He paused as though there was
more to come which he hardly knew
how to say, but Gabrielle interrupted
him, starting from her chair and stand
ing tall and erect before him.
And do you expect us to believe
this extraordinary story?" she In
quired slowly.
1T is true
1T is not true. We know there are
jewels in that safe. Lady Edith put
them there after the robbery at the
hotel, because she was afraid of losing
them. But they are pearls, not en-
to show them to you."
Il DO not wish to see them"
Il do not know, Mr.. Blake, what you
were doing in our cellar tonight. It
seems a very strange place for guest.
but no doubt you can offer some salts
factory explanation of your intentions.
We are waiting for it; your unwar-
rantable attack upon our friends hard
ly seems sufficient reason for your
presence here at this hour"
| Mr.. Blake looked at his watch, then
replied very calmly.
Your friends he said, with a
slight emphasis, will return here to-
night. We are waiting for them. We
are sorry, as Mr.. Bennett has already
said, that you discovered us, for we
meant to conduct the thing quietly