Charlevoix county herald., 1915-09-18

me. I see Mr.. Delorme reckoning to
me. think that Mr.. Delorme will
want us both in consultation with him
before we say good night"
The evening was young yet.
The ceremony had been performed
at FIVE; the supper was at eight. The
bride and groom had just gone to
their special train and private Car,
and 1t was not yet half past ten.
The guests were thinning out rap
idly. In another half-hour there would
be none but servants and the mas
ter left In the great house. 1t had
had no mistress. alas! since Lorna
was very young; she had only faint
recollection of her mother, and sup
posed her to be dead.
The son, Paul, was a globe trot-
ter-never at homeland he was the
product Of former wife of the steel
baron.
"Come into the den with me,
Birge," the elder man said, 81 have
got Mills's inventory-the safe de-
rosit company's man, you know"
Then, inside the small room where
Moreaux had been once before that
evening, he continued: "Have you any
idea how man articles are missing"
'Five-possibly six although /
think that Lorna may not have left
that in the exhibit; one calls it by
nc other name. The five articles are
the diamond lavalliere which was one
of Jerry's presents; the diamond and
emerald bracelet that Paul sent to her
from Paris; the tiara of rubies and
diamonds that my sister Eunice gave
her; bandeau of pearls, almost
priceless in value, the gift of one Of
my business associates, and-I hest
tate to tell you about 1t, Birge."
II know already, Mr. Delorme.
The small bauble that donated"
"Bauble, indeed; The wire gold
bracelet with the single but wonder
full ruby that was given to you by
some India raja when you were a
youngster, and which you priced so
highly.
II recall very we'll indeed that day
ar your studio, nearly ten years ago,
when Lorna, when only a child, went
into raptures over it, and you told
her that when she grew up and was
married you would make her a we'd
ding present of it. Why, she wore it
when you made the portrait of her.
You painted it on her wrist in the
picture"
$50 did, to be sure. What is that
sixth article that may be missing, Mr..
Delorme?"
"a present that made to her
mother before we were married, and
which she left behind when she went
away. A cameo brooch of exquisite
workmanship which once belonged to
my mother"
The artist nodded Understandings.
He knew that any subject which re-
lated to Lorna's mother was painful
TO Richard Delorme.
"What shall I do about it, Birge?"
the older man asked anxiously. you
must advise me. I much prefer to
keep the incident out of the news
papers-if that is possible"
"Then l should advise that you
accompany Lieutenant Muchmore to
police headquarters now. Be with
him when he makes his report to his
superior. Exonerate him as far as
possible. Show your belief in him by
requesting that he be assigned to the
case of running down the thief.
"Give as your reason for that re-
quest the fact that you do wish to
avoid publicity. You have power and
influence. You will find that the in
spector will respect your wishes. And
show your confidence in Muchmore
himself by making him a substantial
present before you leave the house to-
gether."
"But-you will go with me, won't
your"
mo. Unfortunately I cannot. !
have another engagement still to-
night"
There was an odd little smile about
the corners of Birge Moreaux's mouth
when moment later he left the small
room and found Muchmore impa-
tiently awaiting him.
"Mr. Delorme wants to see you,
lieutenant" he said. "He is going to
Headquarters with you. Don't stop to
talk with me. Go right in and find out
what the old gentleman has to say to
YOU"
Moreaux drove directly to the tall
building in Blank street where he had
his studio.
Oddly enough, less than half an
hour after he arrived there the man
called Crewe - he of the blemished
face and unsavory reputation-left
the same building by the rear door,
for the building runs through from
street to street.
AS he stepped outside and turned
to lock the door after him:a limousine
a