The Washington herald., 1912-07-14
n KR. JOHN DoRY, who had ar
M rived at Clenarvon Court
N1 from the nearest railway sta

NH rived at Clenarvon Cour
4v1 from the nearest railway sta
ton, was ushered by the but
Ter to the door of one of the rooms OF
the ground floor, overlooking the park
A policeman was there on guard-a po
liceman by his attitude and salute; al
though he was in plain clothes. Johr
Dory nodded, and turned to the butler
you see, the man knows me-" HI
said Here is my card am Johr
Dory from Scotland Yard I want tc
have few words with the sergeant"
The butler turned toward an elderl,
gentleman in a pink coat and riding
breeches, who had just descended into
the hall
"His lordship is here" he said. There
is gentleman from Scotland Yard
your lordship, who wishes to enter tht
morning room to speak with the SER
geant"
Inspector John Dory. at your lord
ships service, John Dory said, salut-
ing.
Lord Clenarvon smiled.
Il should have thought that, under
the circumstances" he said, "two of you
would have been enough. Still. pray &c
in and speak to the sergeant. Rather
dull week for him, I'm afraid, and quite
unnecessary"
Il am not so sure, your lordship,
John Dory answered. The Clenarvon
diamonds are known all over the world,
and / suppose there isn't thieves den
in Europe that does not know that they
will remain here exposed with your
daughters other wedding presents"
John Dory was accordingly admitted
into the room which was so jealously
guarded The windows had every one
OF them been boarded up, and the cleo
tric lights. consequently, fully turned on,
A long table stood in the middle of the
apartment. serving as support for long
glass show case, open at the top. With
in this, from end to end, stretched the
presents which a large circle of &C
quaintances were presenting to one OF
the most popular young women IN So
ciety on the occasion of her approach
ing marriage to the Duke of Rochester.
In the middle, the wonderful Clenarvon
diamonds, set in the form of tiara,
flashed strange lights into the somberly
lit apartment AT the end of the table
a police sergeant was sitting.
Good morning, Saunders" John
Dory said. Il see you've got it pretty
snug in here"
Pretty well, thank you, SIR" Saun-
ders answered. rs there anything STIR
ring?' =,
TO tell you the truth, ! came down
here because of that list OF guests You
sent me up"
Saunders smiled.
81 think l can gue:1 ihe name you
singled out, sir" he said.
1T was Peter Ruff, of course" John
Dory said What is he doing here in
the house, under his own name, and as
a guest" >,
Il have asked no questions, sir"
Saunders answered. 81 underlined the
name in case it might seem worth your
while to make inquiries"
John Dory went round the boarded
windows, examining the work carefully
until he reached the door.
Il am going TO see If l can have a
word with his lordship," he said.
He caught Lord Clenarvon in the act
of mounting his horse in the great
courtyard.
There is one name, your lordship,
among your list of guests, concerning
whom wish to have word with you"
the detective said-"the name of Mr..
Peter Ruff"
Don't know anything about him."
Lord Clenarvon answered, cheerfully.
You must see my daughter, Lady Mary.
1t was she who sent him his invitation.
Seems a decent sort OF fellow, and rides
as well as the best"
John Dory returned into the house to
make inquiries respecting Lady Mary.
In a few minutes he was shown into
her presence.
Another detectivep she exclaimed
81 am sure / ought TO feel quite safe
now. What car / do for you, Mr..
Dory?"
Il have had list of the guests sent
to me" John Dory answered, "in which
! notice the name of Mr.. Peter Ruff"
DO you want to know all about Mr..
Ruff" Lady Mary asked smiling.
''If your ladyship will pardon my say
ing so" John Dory answered, Il think
that neither you nor any one else could
tell me that What / wished to say
was that l understood that we at Scot
land Yard were placed in charge of
your jewels until after the wedding. Mr..
Peter Ruff is, as you may be aware, a
private detective himself"
81 understand perfectly" Lady Mary
said. Il can assure you Mr.. Dory, that
Mr.. Ruff is here entirely as a personal
and very valued friend of my own. On
two occasions, he has rendered very
signal service to my family-services
which ! am quite unable TO requite"
John Dory bowed.
in that case, your ladyship," he said,
there is nothing more to be said. !
conceive it, however, to be my duty
to tell you that in the opinion of Scot
land Yard there are things about the
career of Mr.. Peter Ruff which need ex-
planation"
Lady Mary laughed frankly
MY dear Mr.. Dory," she said, "this
is one of the cases, then, in which can
assure you that know more than Scot
land Yard. There is no person in the
world in whom have more confidence,
and with more reason, than Mr.. Peter
Ruff"
As a matter of fact. this, in some
respects the most remarkable of the ad-
ventures which had ever befallen Mr..
Peter Ruff, came to him by accident. |
Lady Mary had insisted upon his COM
ing with his wife to the party which |
was assembling at Clenarvon Court in
honor of her own approaching wedding.
Peter Ruff for several days had thor
oyohi,- enioved hirncelf ua b,d Io,,,