Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-11

Can you take me to Shorecliffe at
once:''
Certainly; my car Is at the door"
Rogers dictated n brief message for
his partner and left the Office with Mr..
Gibson. In five minutes they were
spinning toward the Thirty-fourth
street ferry to Long Island City.
Shorecliffe was a handsome estnte
on the north shore OF the sound. and
Mr.. Gibson and the young lawyer
reached the gates within an hour after
leaving Rogers office.
A grave eyed Hindu in snowy tur-
ban admitted them to the house, and
Rogers was conscious of a peculiar
sensation along his spinal colunn as
he met the mans piercing glance.
He felt in that moment that Pun
Shah knew the reason for his coming
as well as many other things that he
would not divulge
He followed his host into the library
and listened intently while Mr.. Gibson
pointed out the table where the Jewels
had lain during his absence at the
telephone. The table was between
two French windows that opened upon
the front veranda.
Were the windows open last even
ingY asked Rogers.
They were both closed II was
chilly and we were enjoying a fire
on the hearth"
Rogers was silent for a long time.
His eyes wandered from one spot to
another. Once they glimpsed the
corner Of Pun Shah's snowy turbau
outside the door. and again he was
sure that the mans jetty eyes were
regarding him from n heavily beaded
curtain that separated the library
from smaller adjoining study.
We'll. Mr.. Rogers. Il am wondering
if you exonerate all my friends. My
pointing TO one of them" remarked
Mr.. Gibson Mt last
MY theory. Mr.. Gibson. is that all
your six guests were accessory to the
deed"
What? My dear sir
wait a moment. sir. l did say that
they We're accessories to the deed. but
it was quite unconsciousIy so on their
part. Have you several strong men
on the place, men whom you can
trust?''
Yes. There is Baker. the gardener.
with his assistants. besides my chauf-
feur and the second man. four alto
gether. Why. may 1 ask"
please summon them to this room.
and after that" continued Rogers in Il
low tone. have the man. Pun Shah.
sent in"
Mr.. Gibson smiled grimly. $50 that's
1t, is it? / couldn't see how the rascal
lad a chance. Excuse me. If you please.
while / send for the men"
He left the room and Rogers waited
here alone. Presently he heard Il
itealthy footstep behind his chair and
/ hot breath on his neck. He jumped
ust in time to escape the wicked
Knife Of Pun Shah. whose dark face
vas convulsed with anger.
Rogers had whipped out a revolver.
md so the two were standing facing
.ach other when Mr.. Gibson returned
With his four servants.
what is this. Pun Shah?" demanded
lis master quickly, but the man only
lowed his head in silence.
"Your man was about to kill me-"
aid Rogers coolly, because I have
discovered that he is the one who stole
our diamonds"
rs it possible? Pun Shah, what have
GU to say"
The Hindu fastened n look of deadly
aired on the young lawyer ard.
of his turban, drew from it's
bids the string of diamonds that had
, mysteriously disappeared. He flung
lie ornaments on the floor at his mas
.r's feet and with swift. gliding
Iovement vanished from the room.
No one made n movement to follow,
nd an instant later they saw the
ECKER of his white turbap as lie disap-
cared down the driveway.
Mr. Gibson dismissed his servants
18th gesture. dropped the string OF
almonds in his coat pocket, and faced
ogers.
How did you fasten the crime upon
IN Shah so quickly: ] had evidence
at no one saw him enter the room,
ID
Rogers put up a hand. at Is easily
planned. Your butler possesses I'M
uaI hypnotic powers. He simply
'pnotfzed the six guests In your draw
z room. took the diamonds from be-
ath their noses and disappeared.
ley might have been puzzled by the
cIdent which made them accompljcea
his crime, but they were quite inno-
Mt of any wrongdoing In fact. they
Int know what had happened after
left the room"
Nr. Gibson sat down and drew his
eek book toward him.
This is such a gratifying exhibition
your cIeverness. Mr.. Rogers. that I
Ist show my appreciation in sub
initial way. Here is check for
900. Shall I make II out to you per-
lally or to your firm
To Harley & Rogers" said the jun :
partner dizziIy. Harley ought to
We something to make up for losing
, fun of this Job"