The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-06


returned for reasons best known
to himself, TO England, and worked
certain mill on Exmoor. | hap
pen to know that the girl of the mill
was that child. Permit me to show
you my proof" He slid the minia-
ture of Lady Mortimer across the
smooth and shining table, and the
miniature stopped up against the
clenched hand
Still keeping his eyes on Reecr,
Raven took up the miniature, glanc-
ed at it, and slid it back again.
Thanks" murmured Reece. You
admit the fact, see You are wise;
it saves time. Now for the ruby.
happen to know that you concealed
it in a little space. kind of
lumber cupboard, in the corner of
the mill"
You spied on me-" fell from
Ravens lips.
Exactly" assented Reece. And |
know that you have the ruby still,
or | should not have the pleasure Of
enjoying your hospitality tonight, in
other words. YOU would have told
me to go to the devil, and do my
worst"
you are very clever" said Ra-
ven. But does it not occur to you,
my friend, that a man who according
to your argument, is in danger of
the gallows, will not hesitate to save
himself by"
His hand darted to his side,
flashed upwards dagger so thin
that it resembled a long needle
glttered in the electric light. DeX-
ter Reece did not move, hough ter
ror tore at his heart-strings, and
the smile was forced on white
face.
The weapon with which you slew
Sir Mortimer" he said. - But you
won't use it on me, Raven, for a
good reason. Keep back, Keep back.
! have left letter at the hotel,
instructing them to open it and
follow me here, if / do not return
by a certain time. 1t is addressed
to the police, tells the story of the
crime"
Raven sank slowly back into the
chair. and returned the dagger 10
its secret place.
Yes, you are clever" he Kissed,
his lips drawn back like a wolfs,
the ferocity still cleaning in his
eyes I'VE will discuss this mat.
ter calmly. At the finish | may still
decide to kill you; meantime there
shall be truce. We will make
a bargain, YOU and l. You want
the Giant Ruby? Oh, yes; have it
still-for a very good reason"
1T is not easy to dispose off,
suggested Reece, covertly wiping the
sweat from his brow.
at was not" corrected Raven
coolly. 1T would have been diff
cult for poor Italian to offer such
a priceless gem for sale; questions
would have been asked the poor
Italian would have found it diff
cult TO answer them, he would have
run mis- head into moose" He
made a hideous gesture at his neck
Since had the exquisite pleasure
OF meeting you on that horrible
English moor ! have had a windfall
"a piece of luck" He shrugged his
shoulders. at would take too long
to tell you about it. | am no long
er an Italian fisherman, a miller,
but Count, a man of wealth, who
could own and dispose of such
gem as the Giant Ruby without
rousing suspicion"
"That is true said Dexter Reece.
az congratulate you on your acces-
sion to-your requirement of-a for
tune. Before we proceed further with
this pleasant little discussion, would
you mind telling me- am stu
dent of human nature. and am there
fore cufious-why you went back
to the scene of your crl-little ad-
venture at ThOrden Halld'
"A somewhat poor student, fear,
said Raven. a touch Of contempt in
his tone. cor you would know that
the safest place for a criminal is
to he found in the vicinity Of his
crime no one thinks of looking
for him there; no one suspected
Lemuel Raven. OF the mil. on the
moor: even YOU did not. until YOU
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