Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-03-13

Rogers, not M OF my six guests can
recollect the topic they were dis
cussing when l entered the room and
discovered that the diamonds were
missing.
NOW, what nm I to dot The case Is
a singular one. and l do not care to
call the police into the matter. al
though the loss is a greater n than
l can afford to Withstand. The gift
to my wife was rather an important
matter financially" He smiled ruefully.
Mr.. Rogers put up his notebook and
donned his hat.
"Where Is Pun Shah now, Mr.. Glib
son?'' he asked.
down at ~ShOreclire, I presume. He
was there at noon when / motored up
to town"
"Can you take me to shoreclire at
ohceT'
Certainly; my a Is at the door"
Rogers dictated a brief message for
his partner and left the ohice with Mr..
Gibson. In eve minutes they we're
spinning toward the Thirty-fourth
street ferry to Long Island City.
Shorecli6e was a handsome estate
on the north shore OF the sound. and
Mr.. Gibson and the young lawyer
reached the gutes 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 column 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 lntently while Mr.. Gibson
pointed out the table where he 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
mgr asked Rogers.
They were both closed. It Yves
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 turban
outside the door. and again he was
sure that the mans jetty eyes were
regarding him from a heavily beaded
curtain that separated the library
from n smaller adjoining study.
"Well. Mr.. Rogers, | am wondering
II you exonerate all my friends. My
theory does not permit Of suspicion
pointing to one OF Them" remarked
Mr.. Gibson at last.
my theory, Mr.. Gibson. is that all
your six guests were accessory to the
deed"
what? My dear SIR
"Wait a moment, sir. | did say thai
they were accessories to the deed, but
It was quite uncOnsciously so on theiI
part Have you several strong meT
IN the place, men whom you car
trust?'
"Yes. There is Baker. the gardener
with his assistants, besides my chauf
feur and the second man. four alto
gether. Why. may l askT"
please summon them to this room
and after that" continued Rogers In q
low tone. have the man, Pun Shah
sent in"
MI. Gibson smiled grimly. $50 that'i
II, is It'll / couldn't see how the rasca
had a chance. Excuse me. II you please
while l send for the men,"
He left the room and Rogers waitet
there alone. Presently he heard
stealthy footstep behind his chair anC
a hot breath on his neck. He jumpeC
just in time to escape the wlckeC
knife OF Pun Shah, whose dark fac
was convulsed with anger.
Rogers had whipped out a revolver
and so the two were standing facing
each other when Mr.. Gibson returne'
with his four servants.
'What is this. Pun Shah2" demande'
his master quickly, but the man onl!
bowed his head in silence.
"Your man was about to kill me-
said Rogers coolly, because ! hav
discovered that he is the n who stol
your diamonds"
els It possible2 Pun Shah. what hav
you to sayF
The Hindu fastened a look Of deadl
hatred on the young lawyer and
snatching of his turban, drew from 1t
folds the string OF diamonds that ha
so mysteriously disappeared. He 1un
the ornaments on the door at his MAJ
ters feet and with a swift. glldin
movement vanished from the room.
No one made a movement TO follow
and an instant later they saw tn
flicker OF his white turban 40 he disaI
peared down the driveway.
Mr.. Gibson dismissed his servant
with a gesture, dropped the string Q
diamonds in his coat pocket, and face
Rogers.
"How did you fasten the crime upo
Pun Shah so quickly? ! had evidene
that nc one saw hun enter the room
} and
Rogers put up a hand. at is easll
explained. Your butler possesses NJ
usual hypnotic powers. He simpl