The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-31

made a great impression upon me, l naturally enough. It seemed to me l that there was not sufficient reason for regarding the crime as one to be classed with the many undiscovered ones. I mean, that I thought it was quite possible to track the criminal. I have no desire to pose as an anna teur detective; indeed, I strove for some time to put the thing out of my mind; but I could not succeed in do- | ing so.''
 'No one could forget such a story" said MT. Lexham, in an undertone. | At any rate, I could not do so," continued Dexter Reece, with a fine air of candour. 'I may say that it haunted me to such an extent that l | found l was neglecting my ordinary | business. There was nothing for it but to devote myself, for a time, at any rate, to an attempt to solve the l problem and mystery. I mentally re- 1 viewed the case ,got all the informa- tion I could, here in England, and eventually went to Vtaly And now," he said, in a low voice and very inn pressively, 1T have to speak with care and reticence which I sincerely de- plore. Suffice it, that in Italy came upon a clue. I followed it up, and l have discovered the tiding-place of ] the Giant Ruby
 Sir Reginald started; he leant for ward and gazed fixedly at the grave, self-possessed face
 "You have found the ruby!' he exclaimed.
 Pardon me-" said Dexter Reece. 1T did not intend to convey that. meant that I believe I know where the gem is hidden. And now comes my difficulty-a very grave, very serious one. The person from whom I gained this information is not the criminal, not the actual murderer and thief-''
 ''Who is he? Where is he?" de- manded Sir Reginald.
 MT. Dexter Reece shook his head and raised his brow, as if deprecating the question.
 'T do not know who he is; I have good reason to be neve that he $ dead"
 1 And the child-the child!" said l Sir Reginald, with agitation.
 "I cannot speak for certain; but believe the child could be traced" said ] Dexter Reece. 'I must confess that, though I am interested in her fate my chief interest, absorption, is in the ruby. The information respecting its whereabouts I could onIy obtain 1n exchange for a pledge of secrecy and a promise of a. large sum of money for my informant--of course, if his information should prove to be cor rect. In a. word, have solemniy pledged myself not to reveal his iden- tity, and to pay him the sum of twen- ty-f1ve thousand pounds"
 That's compromising a felony" said MT. Lexham in a low voice. '1 have explained this to MT. Reece, Sir Reginald, 7 though. of course, he did not need me to do so.''
 'Yes; it is compromising a felony, if you like,' said Dexter Reece; "but I think if either of you had been in my place you would have acted as I have done. The sum is not a tenth part of the value of the gem-at least, so I gathered from MT. Lex ham. It is fully worth the amount demanded for it. But'-he waved his hand slightly-"that is a question for you to decide. If you decide that you will not avail yourself of the informa- ton, no more need be said. On the other hand, if you wish to regain the ruby, you must comply with the con- ditions. You, Sir Reginald, are, with MT. Lexham, Sir Mortimer's trustee; if you will sign the undertaking to pay the sum demanded by the person who has entrusted the secret to me, I will, accompanied by you, go to the place where I am told the ruby is hidden, and test the value of the statement made to me-
 The two men sat and stared at him. Sir Reginald was the first to speak.
 ''The whole story sounds improb- able, far-fetched, like a sensational novel," he said bluntly.
 Tt does," assented Dexter Reece quietly; 'but what could be more sensational than the actual facts which are on record-the murder, the theft of the ruby, the abduction of the child, the whole mystery? It is possible that I have been deceived, been the victim of an hallucination; we'll, that can easily be discovered. However, have made my statement: the rest remains with you two gentle men. You will, of course, want to , consider the matter. I fear I cannot give you much time in which to do so, for I am leaving England tomor- row. May I suggest that I withdraw ' for a. little while, while you discuss the matter? I will go into the smok- ing-room; and you will no doubt send for me when you have arrived at a decision"
 He left the room, and the two men T