The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-03-28


acy, but had time to slip across the
Russian frontier before the police
could arrest him. bought the dia-
mcnd from his agentAin Paris
".You interest me deeply, Mr.. Tau
berry, struck in Sir Andrew. speaking
very softly, though we could all see he
was in devil of rage. Even was
not unaware of the existence of the
Pavaloff diamond. If my memory does
not fail me, 1t is slightly disfigured by
a flaw on the eighth facet?
Certainly. Sir Andrew said our
host; II you examine the stone you
will see that such is the case
"'There is no such blemish on the
diamond l have before me. Therefore
l humbly suggest that you have been
deceived by this Partisan agent as to
its origin
Professor Endicott climbed to his
feet with a grunt OF dissatisfaction,
and leant over the table, thrusting out
his podgy fist to receive the jewel. He
remained standing, with his body
swayed forward, SO that the electric
lights above the silver center piece
might shine the brighter upon what he
held. Presently he dropped his hands
to his sides and stood staring about
him like a plowman lost In Piccadilly.
This is not the stone examined
five minutes ago. he suffered.
Nonsense said old Julius, with
shadow of fear In his eyes. Nonsense,
Endicott; look again
"'Can it be that two such famous
experts have made a mistake? sneered
Sir Andrew. Can 1t be that humble
amateur like myself is right and that
they are wrong? AS l told you, gen.
tlemen, the Hyderapore diamond
'Hyderapore diamond be id!
squealed the fat man. This thing Is
fake, a clumsy imitation. Taubery,
you have been robbed
I'VE were all on our feet in an In
slant amid a clamor of tongues. But
there was one man amongst us that
kept his head; one man who realized
that his honor was in peril; that i'm
mediate action was necessary. His
name-if l am not too egotistical-
Theophilus Gunton.
Fortunately l have a voice OF some
power, and a manner that, when my
feelings are strongly moved, Is per-
haps not unimpressive. l commanded
and obtained silence. l begged them
to resume their seats; they obeyed.
Julius Taubery,' said, has your
diamond disappeared?'
He answered that it had, looking at
the imitation stone, which they had re-
turned to him, in a silly, scared way.
Julius .Taubery,' / continued, we,
your guests lie under a stigma, an i'm
putation. We cannot leave the house
under such circumstances. Some one
must have brought the imitation stone
with him for purpose that it Is need
less to define. The real jewel must
be in his pocket at this moment. Let
us, therefore, be searched
"They all sat silent as mice under
my eye, save the professor, who grunt-
ed as If In dissent.
"'Do l understand that you object
to my plan, sir?' l asked him. DO
you refuse to be searched? And II SO.
may l ask why?'
"He gave me an angry look, but he
had not the courage to contest the
point.
"'Then, l may take it that we are
all agreed. Taubery, you have IL
brary upon this floor. AS passed the
door before lunch l noticed that there
was an excellent fire there. Professor
Endicott and myself will retire to that
room. will search the professor; the
professor shall search me. After that
the rest of the guests will come, one
by one, into the room. where We will
search them in turn. Let US have no
delay. Professor Endicott. am very
much at your service
II went through that party, gentle
men. as our Transatlantic cousins
would express 1t, with fine-tooth
comb. And I feel it my duty to say
that not one of them raised the small
est objection to the severity OF my
methods. They were like lambs, gen.
tlemen, they were, by thunder! But
/ obtained no result. The Taubery dia-
mond had disappeared.
poor old Julius was quite broken
down about it. He placed the whole
matter In my hands. On my way to
Scotland Yard l remembered what an
old friend of mine had told me about
you. If you are ever in hole, Gun
ton he said, get Addington Peace
he is the man. You were OF duty. l
inquired your address: am here. And
now, what are you going to do?"
Can you remember who 1t was
that introduced the subject of precious
stones at your luncheon party?" asked
Inspector Peace
"'Pon my life don't know" said
the colonel, polishing his eye-glass
with red silk pocket handkerchief.
at was one of the fellows at the other
end of the table. but can't say which
Of them"
CHRONICLES TO BE CONTINUED,
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