Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-11

| LOOKING CIldp before, anu ldlelyf loo
Race asked himself
Then, suddenly the answer spranl
into his mind. This was the origina
of the photograph in the gold cigare
case.
He took the gold cigaret case from
his pocket and laid it on the table
where its diamonds flashed in tbs
light of red-shaded candle. Three
minutes later the CLEAN caught the
eye of the young man, and Christie
pher saw his face go through tht
changes from establishment and in
creduilty to intensest eagerness.
What will he do now?" was the
question in Christopher's mind. Blu
1t was almost instantly answered
Whaf the young man did was to jumI
up, and on pretense of going to the
fireplace to warm his hands, pass close
to the table where Race sat He paused
and Christopher's eyes and his met
His were honest eyes as well as hand.
some ones, and any doubt that might
have crept into Races mind concern.
ing the original of the photograph
died in second.
| You will think it very strange
said the young man, but l must beg
you to tell me how you got that ciga-
ret case"
Il don't think itIstrange," returned
| Christopher. When l recognized your
race put the case there hoping you'd
ask me that question. I'll answer il
with the greatest pleasure and there
are also some questions / trust you'll
answer me-"
The other man got UP and came
across the room. You're Mr. Race,
aren't you?' he asked.
| Christopher assented and added
that he had just learned that the other
was Fergus O'Brien of Scotland Yard.
This is my friend-indeed, my dis
tant relative-Mr Maurice Naylor,"
said O'Brien.
IN. NJ" exclaimed Christopher i'm
pulsvely.
Exactly We were speaking of
that cigaret case, when you showed
in. When you've finished your sup
per-"
4 have finished it," said Race, who
had already done justice to a deviled
bone.
Then, perhaps pou'n accept an in
vitation to my chambers?"
I'D rather you'd both come to my
rooms replied Christopher You'll
understand why, perhaps, when we've
had a talk about the cigaret case
You won't have far to GO"
And they did understand, in a. way
that was surprise to all three; for
on arriving at Christophers lodgings
they came upon a scene Of wild con-
fusion in his sitting room. Everything
mad been ransacked and left in dis
order, and 1t was the same in the bed
room. Someone, under cover Of the
thick fog had ado r. ooI
ably climbing across from the balcony
of an adjoining house which was I'M
occupied. Nothing had been taken
away so far as Christopher could tell,
but nothing had escaped the most
minute examination
Ihls is also on account of the ciga-
ret case" said Christopher. There's
a man who wants it badly. l don't
know who he is yet, but"
Il think l can tell you" cut in Maui
rice Naylor.
Can you also tell me who is V. L.
HIP"
She is Violet Hardcastle, the niece
Of the man who probably paid this
room a visit while you were out. She
didn't give you the cigaret case?"
In a way. she did-probably to
keep 1t out of her uncle's hands, as it
looks now. Can you tell me where
she ISL"
n wish l could I've been adver-
Using for news of her in the Daily
Recorder My friend, Mr.. O'Brien
knows the whole story. When we saw
you l was consulting him about the
best way of reaching Miss Hardcastle,
VINO is engaged to me against her
uncle's will"
Perhaps if 1 tell you how 1 got
the cigaret case it will help YOU
BOTH said Christopher and then, be-
ginning with the unfinished letter, he
gave them the-whole history of the
affair, ending with the episode in
Barnet.
Certainly, it's Hardcastle who has
Planned 1t all; If he hasn't done it ALL"
exclaimed Naylor "I'll bet it was he
who grabbed you from behind tonight
He's as big coward as he is a scoun-
drel, though Q'Brien was saying that
III have difficulty in proving him
villain"
He has a good enough reputation
as solicitor" said O'Brien, but I
begin to think from things Naylor has
been telling me that he's got into low
Water+been specializing with, his
clients money, perhaps, or"
Hes his niece's guardian" ex-
planned Naylor. Brother of her dead
father, who thought everything of
him. But Violet's mother was an
and she never liked the
man--never trusted him. The money
was all hers, but he's got lot of it
in his hands omehow-against the
mothers wish, fancy-and naturally
ne doesn't want Violet to marry, as by
her fathers will he has charge of her
aHalrs until she does He had her at
school in Paris till she was 30, to keen
her out OF the way of men; but I'm at
tacned to the embassy there, and we
met. L fell in love with her at sight
who wouldn't?-and when Hardcastle
heard what had happened, he came
and carried her off at once. He was
clever enough, though, to stop me
from making row by saying he'd in
qulre about me, and if all was well.
would allow the engagement to go
on. Meanwhile Violet was to stop
with him in some country house he
was taking. Hardcastle promised to
write, and promised that if everything
went as he expected, Violet should too. |
He'd let me know the address and all
that. Well, / heard nothing l found
out his office address and wrote sew
eral times, which was horrid bother:
but after a fortnight of worry and sus-,
pense, received a letter from Violet
evidently written in great haste. Here
1t Is You shall see it, Mr. Race"
From an inner pocket Naylor pro-
duced half sheet of paper. at sight
OF which Race had to restrain an ex-
for it exactly matched the
one which he himself possessed, and
the writing. which covered it was the
same as that in the letter over which
he had SO often puzzled.
Dearest Maurice he read, this
IS IN the greatest haste. I've run away
from my uncle,S- house-escaped. L