The Ekalaka eagle., 1915-10-08

as they existed last year it is physio-
logically certain that we should arrive
ut exactly the same result, but this
there is no denying it's simply Inn
possible. We can only hope to ap-
proximate to the conditions, and II we
don't succeed in getting you nearly
enough back to what you were TINS
venture Of ours will fail. II we do
succeed-and l am myself hopeful OF
success-you may at least so far repeat
your proceedings on the birthday night
as to satisfy any reasonable person
that you are guiltless. morally speak
ing, of the theft of the diamond
1t was my turn now to enlighten
Ezra Jennings. stopped him before
he could say any more
"You are specializing" I said. ION a
result which cannot possibly take place.
The diamond is at this moment IN
London"
He started and looked at me in great
surprise.
"In London?" he repeated. "How did
it get to London from Lady Verinder's
house?'
"Nobody knows"
"You removed it with your own mana
from Miss Verinder's room. How was
it taken out of your keeping?"
II have no idea how it was taken out
of my keeping"
"Did you see it when you woke in the
morning?"
"No."
"Has Miss Verinder recovered pos
session of it?''
mo"
''Mr. Blake, there seems to be some-
thing here which wants clearing up.
May ask how you know that the dia-
mond is at this moment in London?"
had put precisely the same ques-
tion to Mr.. Bruff when I made my
first inquiries about the moonstone on
my return to England. In answering
Ezra Jennings, accordingly repeated
what I had myself heard from the
lawyers own lips.
He showed plainly that he was not
satisfied with my reply.
with all Difference to you," he said,
"and with all Difference to your legal
adviser I maintairr>the opinion which
expressed just no.. It rests, ! am
. we'll aware. on mere assumption.
Pardon me for reminding you that your
opinion also rests on a mere assump-
tion as we'll.
"Above all things you must sleep in
the room which you slept in on the
birthday night, and it must be fur.
nished in the same way. The stairs
the corridors and Miss Verinder's sit
ting room, must also be restored to
what they were when you saw them
last. 1t is absolutely necessary, Mr.
Blake, to replace every article Of furni-
ture in that part of the house which
may now be put away. The sacrifice
of your cigars will be useless unless
we can get Miss Verinders permis
sion to do that
"Who is to apply to her for permis
r sion?" asked.
, ''Is it not possible for you to apply p
"Quite out of the question. After
what has passed between us on the
| subject of the lost diamond, l can
r neither see her nor write to her, as
things are now"
| Ezra Jennings paused and considered
, for a moment
= ''May ask you delicate question ~
he said.
: signed to him to go on.
l cam l right, Mr.. Blake, in fancying
from one or two things which have
I dropped from yoW that you felt no
I common interest in Miss Verinder in
f former times?"
l "Quite right"
"Was the feeling returned?"
J. at was"
: "Do you think Miss Verinder would
= be likely to feel a strong interest in
). the attempt to prove your innocence?"
Z? II am certain Of it?"
> "1n that case I will write to Miss
e Verinder-if you will give me leave"
t ''Telling her of the proposal that you
b have made to me?"
g ''Telling her Of everything that has
Il passed between us today
c 1t is needless to say eagerly ac
o cepted the service which he had offer
ed to me.
h II shall have time to write by today's
Il post" he said, looking at his watch
$ 'Don't forget to lock up your cigars
| when you get back to the hotel. I will
k call tomorrow and hear how you have
passed the night
c I rose to take leave Of him and at
tempted to express the grateful sense
: of his kindness which really felt