The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-09

forward and gazed fixedly at the
grave, self-possessed face.
You have found the ruby! h'
exclaimed.
Pardon me-" said Dexter Reece
Il did not intend to convey that
| meant that | believe know
where the gem is hidden. And nov
comes my difficulty-a very grave
a very serious one. The perso;
from whom ! gained this infOrma
tion is not the criminal, not th'
actual murderer and thief--'
who is he? Where is he?" de
manded Sir Reginald
Dexter Reece shook his head and
raised his brow, as if deprecatng
the question.
q do not know who lie is, !
have good reason to believe that
he is dead"
And the child-the child" said
Sir Reginald, with agitation.
II cannot speak for certain; but
I believe the child could be traced, "
said Dexter Reece. mus confess
that. though I am interested in her
fate my chief interest, absorption
is II. the ruby. The information
respecting its Whereabouts could
only obtain in exchange for a
pledge of secrecy and a promise of
a large sum of money for my in
formant-of course. II his informa-
tion should prove to be correct In
a word, have solemnly pledged
myself not to reveal his identity,
and 10 pay him the sum of twenty
tyfive thousand pounds.
That's compounding felony,
said Mr.. LaXham in a low voice.
Il have explained this to Mr.. Reece
Sir Reginald, though of course, he
did not need to do So"
Yes: it is compromising felony.
if you like" said Dexter Reece ;
'but think if either of YOU had
been in my place you would have
acted as / have done. The sum
is not a tenth part of the value
of the gem-at least. so | gathered
from Mr. LeXham. 1t is fully
worth the amount demanded for il.
But he waved his hand slightly
That is a question for you TO de-
eide. If you decide that you will
not avail yourself Of the informa-
tiOn, no more need be said. On
the other hand, If you wish to re-
gain the ruby, you must comply
with the conditions. You, Sir Reg.
maid, are, with Mr.. Lexham. Sir
Morumer's trustee: If you will sign
the undertaking to pay the sum
demanded by the person who has
entrusted the secret TO me. I will,
accompanied by you go to the place
where I am told the ruby is hid
den. and test the value of the state
ment made to me"
The two men sat and stared at
him. Sir Reginald was the first
to speak.
The whole story sounds improb-
able, far-fetched, like a sensational
novel" he said bluntly.
1T does" assented Dexter Reece
quietly "but what could be more
sensational than the actual facts
which are on record-the murder,
the theft OF the ruby, the adbuc-
ton of the child. the whole mys-
terry? II is possible that 7 have
been deceived. been the victim of
an hallucination: well, that can
easily be discovered. However
have made my statement; the rest
remains with you two gentlement
You will. of course. wan to con
slider the matter. I fear ] cannot
give you much time in which to
do so. for am leaving England to
morrow May I suggest that I with
draw for a little while. while you
| discuss the matter? I will ko into
the smoking-room and yoa will ne
doubt send for me when YOU have
arrived at a decision
He left the room. and the two
men regarded each other in silence
for a full minute; then Mr. Lex
ham said:
Singular thing never quite
liked that man: there was alway'
a kind of distrust of him at the
back of my mind. OF course, hC
knows more thar he has told MS
Perhaps he knows where the child
is Sir Reginald, We are in cleft
stick. The man has got us tight
enough. He knows where that ruby
! il. If we don't buy he secret OF