The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-01-14

my sister. CisSic, you know married Gerald
Thornton, end thcylivc at Bcccham Towers,
in Surrey just half an hours run down
from town. She wrote, as usual, " in great
haste Would | 60 down to dinner and
stay the night? Their house party included
several old friends whom Should be glad to
meet Besides. she wanted to consult me
about a most Dire AFu thing that had hap
pcncd. Her diamond ring had been stolen
the one Gerald gave her week before on
her birthday; and rs there were no signs Of
burglars or anything Of that sort, il was
clearly one OF the servants, though Of
course, they all denied any knowledge Of it,
Would please come down ard advise
1t happened to be free evening, 50
went down by the five O'Clock train
My advice was very clear and simple
First thing in the morning Thornton o'rsf
be told, he would know best how deal
with the servants, and should question them
himself. Then, since the ring was really
valuable, if it became clear that the mystery
was beyond our powers, VIC might wire fer a
detective from town and place the matter in
his hands.
On this understanding went to bed.
You may Judge Of my surprise when, en-
coming down to breakfast next morning,
found on my plate the following letter
addressed to "Dr- Murray Browne, at
Bcccham Towers Surrey"
DEAR PREsERyER,--
can hnd the stoacr OF the ring. AN
coming down poSt-hastc to Bcecham Towers
by ais train in the r. NJ. Of the day OF this
receipt, and all will be settled il an cyc-twinkle.
Let rot anxiety for ono instant cloud your
noble mind; only in no wise cnlightcn any
interested participation concerning the where
fore Of my arrival
Your respectful and devoted COMMUNICATE,
CHANLER RAo
After breakfast found Cissic alone in the
morning-room, and handed her this extraor-
dinary epistle, at the same time skctching
briefly my encounter with the writer To
my surprise, she at once recognized the
name.
"Chanlcr Rao2" she said. "Why, that
is the wonderful man Laura Benham was
telling me about the other day You have
to send an old glove, date Of birth, and a
postal ortlcl fer ta o-and-six. She did it
just blythe wayof a joke, youknow-and she
got back paper Of things about herself that
sic says arc simply marvellous things that
even her most intimctc friends couldn't
have found out. 1t was an awfully happy
thought of yours to consult him about my
ring"
But didn't, said. "That's just the
point that is puzzling me so. | only saw
him for moment before rushed off for
my train, and never even mentioned where
was going, still less anything about you or
your ring.
Cissie opened her eyes very wide.
Then you may depend upon it Laura
Bcnham is right. Hes really genuine a
real, true, Eastern seer who can do what he
profcsscs,' she decided,
1T will be sointeresting, so she said; " and,
even il lie fails, we can send Tor the detective
afterwards. A few hours delay can make
no difference now But he won't fail; you
can see from his letter that he knows all
about it already" "
She was 50 bent on this interesting ex-
pertinent that all my reasoning was wasted
upon her But from the first felt rather
ashamed OF being mixed up in such nael
scheme, and long before afternoon | was
heartily regretting my acquicsccnce.
was still more impressed with the folly
of our proceedings when at Cissie request,
went down with the carriage to meet
Chanlcrs train. He alighted from first
class compartment with his little son and a
mass Of luggage that suggested he was
coming to stay for a month. w.
The paraphernalia, Unexplained -" the
apparatus, you know, for my exhibition. y
Then he began to sketch the program
OF a performance which, as far as | could
Judge would occupy several hours. And
his descriptions were so elaborate and yer
bose that We were rapidly approaching the
gates Of Beecham Towers before found a
chance Of directing his thoughts to the rea
business in hand.
Now" said at last, with regard to tht
theft
All" he exclaimed; "the theft Yes
4 diamond ring, you say2 And stolen b,
one Of the sevants2 Well, leave it to me
and 10. at the right moment, in a jiffy 0
time, the culpnt shall be caught
But the details-the circumstances 0
the loss said; q had better tell yol
briefly now while we have opportunity. "
ChanIer Rao gazed at me dreamily, witt
far-Off look in his handsome eyes.
The details2' he murmured But
why bother me with those9 They will onl
confuse me 1t is quite enough to kno'
that diamond ring has been stolen, an
that one Of the servants is the thief. Tn
case is 50 simple. Besides, have tn
performance to arrange for and it will re
quire all my thoughts "
Then, indeed, my heart sank. | realize
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