Arizona republican., 1911-02-24
THE ADVENTURES OF
MR.. PETER RUFF
BY e. Phillips Oppenheim-The Per-
tidy Of Miss Brown.
Copyright, 1909, BY the Pearson Pub
fishing Co.
CONTINUED from Yesterday

less gathered now, merely a blind. II
was obvious to his intelligence that
the blowing away OF the window was
merely ruse to cover the real method
Of the theft II you viii allow me,
will show you how it was done"
The floor was of hardwood, covered
with rugs. One Of these, near the
fireplace, Peter RUIZ brushed aside.
The seventh square of hardwood from
the mantelpiece had evidently been
tempered with. With very little diff
Guilty, he removed it.
You see," he explained, =" the cell
ing of the room below is also of PAN
elled wood. Having removed this, il
is easy TO lift the second one, espe-
cially as light screws have been driven
in and string threaded about them.
There is now a hole through which
you can see into the room below. Has
Dory returned? All, here he is!
The detective came hurrying into
the room, bearing in his hand pecul-
iar-shaped weapon, handful of little
darts like those which had been found
in the wounded mans head. AMI an
ordinary fishing-rod in linen case.
There is the weapon" Peter Run
said, which 1t was easy enough TO
fire from here upon the man who was
leaning forward exactly below. Then
here, you will see, is somewhat pecu-
liar instrument, which shows great
deal OF ingenuity TALL its details"
he opened the linen case, which was,
by-the-by, secured by a paddock, and
drew out what was, to all appearance,
an ordinary fishing-rod, fitted at the
end with something that looked like
an iron hand. Peter Ruff dropped 1t
through the hole until it reached the
table, moved it backwards and for
wards, and turned round with smile.
You see" he said, the theft, after
all. was very simple Personally, l
must admit that it took me a great
deal by surprise, but my friend Mr..
Dory has been on the right track from
the first. | congratulate him most
heartily"
Dory was a little overcome. Lady
Mary shook him heartily by the hand,
but as they trooped downstairs she
stopped and whispered in Peter Run 3
ear:
81 wonder how much of this was
John Dory," she said, smiling.
Peter Ruff said nothing. The detec-
tive was already on the telephone, Wiz
ing his report to London. Every one
was standing about in little knots, dis
cussing this wonderful event. So
grange sought Clenaryon, and walked
with him. arm-in-arm, down the stairs.
Il cannot tell you, Clenarvon," he
said, how sorry | am that | should
have been the means of introducing a
person like this TO the house. | had
The most excellent references from the
Prince of Strelitz. No doubt they were
forged. My own man was taken i'll
just before l left, and l had TO bring
some one"
My dear Sogrange," Lord Clenar-
Won said don't think of it. What we
must be thankful for is that we had so
brilliant detective in the house.
AS John Dory?" Sogrange re-
marked with smile.
Lord Clenarvon nodded.
Come" he said, :" | don't see why
we should lose a days sport because
the diamonds have been recovered.
always felt that they would turn up
again some day or other. You are
keen, | know, Sogrange."
"Rather!" the Marquis answered.
But excuse me for one moment.
There is Mrs. Peter Ruff looking
charming there in the corner. | must
have Just q word with her"
He crossed the room and bowed be-
fore Violet.
MY dear lady" he said, L have
come to congratulate you. You nave
clever husband-a little cleverer, even,
than I thought. l have just had the
misfortune to lose to him a bet OF
twenty-five thousand francs"
Violet smiled little uneasily.
Peter doesn't gamble as a rule"
she remarked.
Sogrange sighed.
This, alas, was no gamble! ne
said. He was betting upon certain
ties. but he won. Will you tell him
from me, when you see him, that al
though | have not the money in my
pocket at the moment | shall pay my
debts. Tell him that we are as care
full to do that in France as we are TO
keep our world
He bowed, and passed out with the
shooting-party on to the terrace. Peter
Ruff came up, few minutes later,
and his wife gave him the message.
Il did that man an injustice" Peter
Ruff said with a sigh of relief.
can't explain now, dear. I'll tell you
all about il later in the day.
There's nothing wrong, is there? y
she asked him, pleadin5l
"On the contrary" Peter Run de-
clared, everything is right. | have
made friends with Dory, and | have
won a thousand pound. When we
leave here, am going to look out for
that little estate in the country. II
YOU come out with the lunch, dear,
want you to watch that man Hamlt
toms coat. It's exactly what | should
i;l,a m waor rnvaalf at my 0Wu shoot