The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-11

Il deny that that Is the ruby" he
said hoarsely. IF it should be, yoa
will have to account for It's being in
your possession"
You mean that l am lying" said
Vane quietly. Fortunately for me,
Sir Mortimer himself has accounteu
for it," He took a paper from his
pocket, and handed it TO Mr.. Lexham.
Il found this inside the box. Per
haps you will read it."
Mr.. LeXham took the paper, unfold
ed it, and read, in a shaky voice:
counterfeit is in my jewel-case.
This is the Rajah's Ruby. The
had it made because had present.
ment that the real ruby would e
stolen. An exact description of the
spot in which have hidden the ruby
| have given in a paper which | have
placed in my despatch-boX; so that,
if anything should happen to me, the
ruby may be recovered and given TO
my beloved aughter.-Mortimer Des-
borough
There was an intense silence; then
Sir Reginald said hoarsey
The despatchbox. ! have it. |
remember the paper. | admit, with
shame, that | attached no importance
to It; took it for a rough plan of
some improvement Sir Mortimer in
tended making in the tower"
"Ah," remarked Vane, rather grim
| ly;" if you had ever been engaged in
hunting for buried treasure, now
good enough to take up your ruby,
Sir Reginald. There is a safe handy
there, and it looks a good one" He
turned to Dexter Reece. Are you
satisfied, Mr.. Reece? If not, | can
give you the name of an expert on
whom you can fully rely. By the way.
if he pronounces tnat stone of yous
counterfeit, which he most assured
ly will do, should like to buy it Of
! you, and add it TO my little museum
Of uriosities-criminal and other
wise"
Dexter Reece rose, gripping the arm
of his chair. He was too clever
man not to know that he was beaten.
Il am quite satisfied" he said, bit
ing at his lip, and struggling for self
possession. You win admit that
had cause for doubt; but the evidence
is irTefIagable. | am not only salts
fled, but rejoice at the fact that the
real ruby has been discovered. 1t
only remains for me to restore the
counterfeit to the person from whom
| obtained it. There is an early train
Sir Reginald; if you will be so good
as to order carriage"
Not so fast, Mr.. Reece,' said Mr..
LeNham sternly. Your part in this
IldlAtl must Dt tApldlltu D6lOIt Il
proper tribunal. We cannot permit
you 70 so.
Il think Id let him go, Mr.. Lex
ham said Vane, surveying Dexter
Reece thoughtfully. Il don't think We
shall want him. I've an idea that the
mystery will solve itself without Mr..
Recess further assistance. And, if
We find that We do want him, I've 10
doubt Mr.. Reece will accept our inyi-
tation to present himself"
Mr.. LeXham still looked doubtful;
put he shrugged his shoulders with
deluctant assent; and Sir Reginald
said sternly:
"A carriage shall be ordered for
you. sir"
Nothing less dramatic than Dexter 1
Reeces departure can be imagined !
He stood for moment staring .
straight before him; then, with a nod, |
opened the door and went out. He
uttered no oath, made no gesicu a
ton. and even closed the door be-
hind him quite carefully and noiseless-
ly. But, though he had made no sign,
he knew that his career was finished
that he must at once find some re-
mote spot in which he could hide
and drag out the remainder
of his life.
10 be continued
HitN "