The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-07-18

told him firmly.
But do you realize that until this
Is cleared up-if IL continues much
longer-the suspense. the uncertainty
OF II all. will make a mental wreck OF
me?"
1T will IL you persist in entertain.
ing such absurd notions" Sir Thomas
agreed.
You don't understand" Harcourt
objected. III only knew the truth
could stand IT, Knowing myself gull
ty-if / had what might seem good
reason might even attempt TO free
myself OF suspicion. AS II is there IL
bound TO be rotton mess. and l shall
be the center OF IL. | don't think /
am a coward, but | don't know how
long can stand IL. and | certainly do
not intend 10 drag the woman ! love
into the mire OF such publicity"
Jack" said Sir Thomas, and there
were traces OF tears in the old mans
eyes, please don't think that | do not
| appreciate the spirit that prompts you
To say all this. | admire and honor
you for IL. But | believe in you thor
oughly--even though you cannot be-
heve In yourself. Grace feels as do.
Go to her and talk the whole thing
over, but promise me that you will not
insist upon anything she does not
wish"
Harcourt stood undecided for a
time. Then he looked up and smiled.
IN do it," he said. And the two
men clasped hands
In the doorway, Sir Thomas paused
a moment Jack" he said quietly, II
have just thought OF something that
should have occurred TO me before
You had another object in asking for
that roll call-an object other than
the mere feeling that you ought to
tell us all your own feelings. Am
right?"
Yes" said Harcourt
DO you want TO tell me that rea-
son ?"
mo. ! was wrong"
You suspected someone?"
Il had an idea-a mere notion. l
wanted TO be sure"
And now you are sure?'
Not altogether-but i am almost
convinced that my suspicion was a
mistake" Half way down the stairs
they encountered Inspector MacBee.
"Ah, Lord Harcourt," he said pleas
antly, II was just looking for you"
Il am entirely at your service" said
Harcourt, pausing beside the detect
i've.
Il was also on my way 10 look at
the smoke room where-the affair OF
last night occurred. | was wondering
II 1t would interest you to accompany
me-"
Harcourt was conscious OF the keen
scrutiny of the inspector. He thought,
too, that he understood the mans pur-
pose. He had heard OF the famous
Third degree" through which pris-
oners are often put by the police. and
he was firmly convinced that MacBee
hoped that he might betray some sign
of guilt If brought to the scene OF
the crime
Certainly, | will CO." Harcourt con
scented quickly His tone betrayed
none OF the repugnance he felt at en-
tering the room, nor did his manner
betray the slightest hesitation. 81 as.
sumo that you have no objection to
Major Marston's accompanying u.s."
None whatever" said MacBee 81
shall be glad TO have him. often an
old soldier sees things that escape
even US Scotland Yard men"
Turning. they passed back 10 the
smoke room. and MacBee unlocked
the door. standing aside for them to
pass
The place was in the same disorder
In which IL had been discovered when
the body was found. The chairs were
placed just as they had been. the car
pet was marked with ashes here and
there, and the trays on the table were
full Of burnt-out cigars and cigar
cites.
Without being directed TO Il, Har-
court and Marston at once glanced at
the big chair by the table where the
uphg Hih utth lOuilh A6dlhCA AAlf
dark leather OF the seat was a great
stain OF darker hue, mute evidence OF
the gruesome object that had last oc-
cupied IT,
II have made a most thorough ex-
animation" MacBee said. az he closed
the door behind them. "As far az |
have been able to discover there is
not the slightest clue remaining-no
fingerprints. no lost belongings-noth-
ing Frankly. II is the most perplex-
Ing situation / have ever faced"
You have arrived at no conclu-
sion." Major Marston asked.
None. was wondering, Lord Har-
court. II you could recall anything that
took place in this room Immediately
before you left It,"
Nothing" said Harcourt. in low
voice.
Sometimes the return TO a scene OF