The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-11-16


throwing the light TO right and left
His attitude was of nervous expecta-
| uon-that OF a man who looked for
something that he feared TO see.
| AT the window he stopped. staring
/ about him and listening. He examined
the fastenings. and then tried door
on his right. II was locked against
him. AS he did so | caught his pro
file against the light. II was Harbord,
the secretary. From where I stood he
was not more than forty feet away.
There was no possibility OF a mistake
! As he turned 10 come back retreat.
ed into my room, closed the door. The
fellow was In a state OF great agita.
ton, and ! could hear him muttering
to himself as he walked When he had
passed by ! peeped out TO see him and
his light dwindle. reach the corner by
the picture gallery, and fade into re
iection-a darkness.
took care to turn the KEY before
! got back into bed.
woke again at seven and, hurry.
Ing ON my clothes, set on 10 tell Peace
all about II. | took him to the place.
and together we examined the CORR
dor There were only two rooms be
yond mine. The one on the left was
an unoccupied bedroom: that on the
right was large storeroom, the door
OF which was locked The housekeep-
er kept the key. we learnt upon in
quiry. Whom had Harbord followed?
The problem was beyond me. AS for
Inspector Peace. he did not indulge In
verbal speculatious.
II was in the central hall that we
encountered the secretary on his way
TO the breakfast room The man
looked nervous and depressed: he nod.
ded TO us, and was passing on, when
Peace stopped him
Good morning. Mr. Harbord" he
said Can have word with your
Certainly, Inspector What is ito"
Il have a favor TO ask My assist
ant and myself have our hands full
here. II necessary could you help us
by running up to London, and"
For the day. he interrupted
No. II may be an affair OF three or
four days.
Then | must refuse am sorry,
| but"
Don't apologize. Mr. Harbord." said
the little man. cheerfully. Il shall have
20 find some one else that Is all"
We walked into the breakfast room.
and few minutes later Ransom ap.
peared with a great bundle OF letters
and kilograms in his hand
Ransom said not word TO any OF
us, but dropped into chair, tearing
open the envelopes and glancing at
their contents. His face grew darker
as he read, and once he thumped his
hand upon the table with crash that
set the china jinglng
Well, Inspector he said at last
The little detectives head shook out
a negative.
Perhaps You require an incentive .
he sneered rs Il "A matter OF a re.
ward?"
No, Mr. Ransom; but II is becom-
ing one OF my personal reputation"
"Then. by thunder, you are in dan.
ger OF losing Il. Why don't YOU and
your friend hustle, instead OF lettering
around as II you were paid by the
day? | tell you. man, there are thou
sands hundreds OF thousands-melt-
ing. slipping through your fingers,
every hour, every hour"
lie sprang from his seat and started
his walk again-up and down, up and
down. as We had first seen him
4 a. u
At the question the manager halted
In his stride, staring sharply down in.
TO the inspectors bland countenance.
NO" he said: II shall stay here,
! Mr. Addington Peace until such time
as YOU have something definite To tell
me"
II have an inquiry to make which |
would rather place IN the hands Of
some one who has personal knowledge
OF Mr. Ford Neither MIR. Harbord nor
yourself desire 10 leave Meudon. IL
there anyone else you can suggest
There is Jackson--Ford's valet.
said the manager. after a moments
Thought. lie can 20. II you think him
bright enough I'll send for him"
While the footman who answered
the bell was gone upon his errand. we
waited in an uneasy silence, There
was the shadow OF All ugly mystery
upon us all Jackson. "a he entered
was the only one who seemed az his
ease He stood there a tall figure OF
all the responsibilities.
"The inspector here wishes You TO
go 10 London, Jackson said the man
ager. lie will explain the details.
There Is a fast train from Camdon at
eleven"
Certainly. sir, DO return tonight
no. Jackson" said Peace. 'lt VIII
take a day or two
The man took couple OF steps to.
wards the door. hesitated. and then re
turned to his former place.
Il beg your pardon, SIR he began,
addressing Ransom "But would