The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-07-05

the cover in twelve hours had been set
going
As IL the duke were the ~clairvoyant
lie had mockingly pretended to be. he
turned sharply on his heel. | was gaz-
ing up at the ceiling.
Luigi is a long time" he muttered.
ut is possible that the thieves who
broke into my rooms some months ago
stole it. after ALL"
Thieves
YES, my friend. thieves. But | am
taking precautions for my safety in
the future" He laughed shortly and
looked out of the window again.
That hint was as foolish as my boast
a few days before. SO he had sent old
Luigi for the gendarmes. He was
holding me here. Well. | hardly cared
to see the gendarmes just now. 1t was
time for me to act.
l reached swiftly up. I lifted the
clock from the mantel to the floor. The
jar of the wheels as 1t touched the
floor made him spin about like q me
chanical toy. | was pointing the muz-
zle of his useful weapon at him over
the clock.
"Sit down." | said quietly.
He clutched the edge of the chair,
his mouth dropping.
And quickly" | cried sharply.
He sank into the chair behind him,
his hands trembling violently.
"But-but-this is an outrage!'' he
gasped.
MY dear duke. you are not the only
clairvoyant. In my poor way l can
see through a wooden case. But this
propensity of yours to play the cat
with the poor little mouse is danger
u Sometimes the little harmless
mousse turns out to be a rat. And rats
sometimes bite"
For the second time / held the casket
in my hand. but ever now it was i'm
possible for me to look at 1t. l had to
keep my eve on the duke.
Tell me-" | asked laughingly, did
you bring me to this room for the
sheer joy of gloating over my nearness
to this toy that | have been strug-
CLING to possess for the past month,
knowing how impossibly far 1t was
from me? Did it afford you so much
pleasure to play with me, to tease me,
that you pushed your game so danger
ously far? If so, you are an artist,
my dear duke"
"Mr. Hume is generous in his COM
~pliments."
"Or" I continued. thrustng my face
nearer to his. 'am I mistaken in think
ing that most of your words and deeds
are spoken and acted with some pur-
pose in view?"
For example;" he asked lightly.
For example," l repeated, lit was
hardly for love Of me that you spoke
to me this afternoon"
Hardly" he sneered, pale with rage
and disappointment. Rather because
l hated you so much that l wished to
amuse myself at your expense"
'Or is there a third possibility" |
continued scornfully. THAT you wish
ed TO avenge yourself? While you
were ~taunting me with st. Hilary's
pCiuNS, VI n> pei IL tut
idea occurred to you that if you could
induce me to come to your rooms, II
you could hold me there while you
sent Luigi for the gendarmes. you
might have me committed to Jail for
assault perhaps or completely in break
ing into your rooms On the whole,
am inclined to think that this view of
the case is the most reasonable"
"As you will, Mr. Hume" he an
swered. his lips white and trembling.
Now. listen to me. Duke da Sestos.
Granting that l am correct. the gen.
darmes will be here presently. Luigi
has been one some time. Before they
come wish to put the case clearly be-
] fore you. This casket and these jew