The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-28
eContinued.)

"One can guess its contents" said Reece, with smile. "Jewels, or course"
 .Jewels," assented MT. Lexham And magnificent ones There were diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and the rest of them, perfect in quality and worth a large sum of money-indeed. a fortune, as we Englishmen count fortunes. In the centre of the stones I have mentioned was an enormous ruby. of perfect shape and colour. a marvellous stone, probably the finest in the collection of this Rajah, who was famous for his jewels. I saw il once, and. though that sort of thing has little interest for me, I must ad- init that l was dazzled by Its splen- dour. Its only fitting place was in the diadem of a king"
 'Tt must be worth a large sum of money" remarked Reece, almost in- audibly. His eyes had grown keener while MT. Lexham had described the gem the tip of his tongue moved quickly over his thin lips, and he glanced from side to side with the peculiar expression of hungry wistful- ness which one sees in the eyes of a wolf scenting food; but his voice was we'll under control, and its tone in- vited MT. Lexham to continue.
 sIt would be almost impossible to estimate its worth" he said; simply because there is no criterion by which one could do so. I have reason to believe that it is the finest ruby in the world; and one knows how difficult it is to put a monetary value on such an abnormal product of Nature"
 ''Sir Mortimer was an extremely lucky man," said Reece, with soft laugh.
 'The most unlucky," retorted MT. Lexham- Isn't there tradition that the possession of a gem such as this ruby brings misfortune? This ruby certainly did so. Sir Mortimer sold some of the other stones. and so re- paired his fortune, and refiIled his coffers. One heartily wishes that he had sold the ruby also; for I cannot but think that it was the cause. ths motive" ~
 At this moment, to the open French window of the drawins-room came Evelyn. her white-clad figure stand ing out clearly in the .dusky twilight.
 Are you not coming in for some coffee?" she asked.
 The two men threw their cigarettea away and went into the drawing room. Sir Reginald was not there She was alone. They went up to ths tea-table with it's gieaming silver and dainty Sevres, and they took their cups and stood talking to her. Pre- sentiy Reece asked her to sing. mak- ing the request in his soft tones and deferential, ingratiating manner. She rose at once and went to the piano; and he stood beside her, listening with bent head. and apparently in- tent upon the young girls sweet voice: but he was thinking of the monster ruby; he was quivering with curiosity, with impatience. to hear the rest of Mir. Lexham's story.
 When she had finished, he thank ed her in a low voice, full of respects full admiration and gratitude; but il was MT. Lexham who asked her to Ch@ at for Evelyn was one of those girls te whom 1t is a pleasure to give pleas ure. and who was devoid of the van ity which assumes a reluctance to dis play gift.
 "You shall have your favourite now" she said, nodding smilingl, over her shoulder at the old gentle man.
 He clapped his hands when she hat got through the song; and Reece with a gesture of imploration, placed another piece of music on the stand She gave a glance at it, murmured .Yes, think I remember it," ant had commenced to play the prelude when footman approached with z note on a salver. She took the note with little air of surprise, locked a it, then. suddenly turning pale, ros, from the music-stool, and, standin. for moment, as if lost in thought said. with a forced composure:
 'T think I am tired. I will go t. bed, if you don't mind my leavins you Steele''-Steele was the butler twill get you anything you want Goodnight. MT. Lexham! Goodnight you will not forget our drive tomor row." she added to Dexter Reece.
 He merely bowed, and went to tn, door with her to open it. As he di( so. he glanced at her hands; the not had disappeared. It was a quick covert glance, similar to that whicf he had bestowed on the note as sh' had taken it from the salver; and h. had noticed that the envelope was ; common one and rather soiled. Tn, handwriting he had not been able tt see
 'I could do with whisky-and-sod; now" remarked MT. Lexham; and h. led the way to the smoking-room Steele brought in the spirit-stand an'