The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-01

No eve. resting on it for a moment,
 could doubt it's genuineness, could fail to mark the difference between
 it and it's counterfeit. Dexter Reece bent over it, as If he were fascinated; he tried to speak, but no sound pro- ceeded from his livid lips. Uncon- sciously he stretched out his hand to- wards it; but vane's strong hand closed over the priceless gem, and Dexter Reece shrank back and col iapsed in chair.
 "Great teaven!" exclaimed Sir Reginald. ''what does 1t mean! where-where did you get it?" From under stone in the old tower" said Vane quietly. 'The first time I went there with Evelyn-yes' sir, I shall ask your permission Q
 call Miss Desborough by that dear name-I let q hammer fall on one of the stone slabs; it sounded hollow. I did not think much of 1t at the time: but. when I saw that MT. Reece's ruby was a counterfeit, it oc- curred to me that Sir Mortimer might have done the same kind of thing that other owners of priceless gems have done-that is, have a counter felt made, and conceal the genuine gem.'
 ssBut-but--how did you find-?' sswen, you see, for some time past I have been examining the rooms in which Sir Mortimer would have con- cealed the gem, if he had done as supposed; but I could find no hiding place-excepting the hollow under this stone. I have just been and dug the stone up, and there, in its box, ! lay the ruby. I'd have taken you all with me; but should have looked 2. pretty kind of fool if nothing had been there"
 Reece raised his head and glared at vane.
 sI deny that that is the ruby," he
 said hoarsely. 'If it should be, you will have to account for its being in your possession"
 You mean that I am lying?" said Vane quietly. "Fortunately for me,
 Sir Mortimer himself has accounted for it." He took a paper from his pocket, and handed it to MT. Lex
 ham. ''I found this inside the box. Perhaps you will read it.'
 MT. Lexham took the paper, un-
 folded it, and read, in shaky voice: | "This is the Rajah's Ruby. The counterfeit is in my jewel-case. had | it made because I had a presentiment that the real ruby would be stolen. An exact description of the spot in which I have hidden the ruby I have
 given in a paper which I have placed
 in my despatch-box; so that, if any, thing should happen to me, the ruby may be recovered and given to my beloved aughter.--Mor.imer Des- ] borough"
 1 There was an intense silence; then
 Sir Reginald said hoarsely:
 l '"The despatch-box. I have it. ]
 remember the paper. I admit, with shame, that l attached no importance to it; I took it for g. rough plan of some improvement Sir Mortimer in tended making in the tower" l "Ah!" remarked Vane, rather grim
 lyl: eff you had ever been engaged
 in hunting for a. buried treasure, now i-However, that's another matter. Be
 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, MT. Reece? If not, I can
 give you the name of an expert on
 whom you can fully rely By the
 way, if he pronounces that stone oi yours g counterfeit, which he most
 assuredly will do, should like to buy
 it of you. and add it to my little mu. scum of uriosities-criminal and other"s'->-"