The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-22


about in eager search for the gem that
Knox had described to her. but 1t was
nowhere to be found, and she was
! compelled at last to abandon the
quest, arouse Aunt Matte from her
nap by the ire and return to the coun-
try again.
But Not the Diamond.
Rubies and emeralds, pearls and
sapphires, she had found In plenty
in her fathers extensive collection.
Diamonds were there too, in many
tints and hues-but not a single one
OF violet color. II ever 1t had been
there Is was gone now. But Pearl
was not at all sure that her fathSr
had owned IL.
To satisfy herself, Immediately upon
her return, she sat down and wrote
to Richard Carslake, formerly her
fathers secretary and his confidential
adviser. Before Samuel Standish's
death, he had quarreled violently with
CarsIake.sso that they had not been
good friends at the end, but Pearl
decided to-ignore all that She wrote:
Dear Mr.. Carslake:
Can you call upon me Immediately
in reference to a certain violet dia-
IlODu DOu6hl " my AoAAANA aAA
last year. You remember you were
with him at that time. Sincerely,
PEARL STANDISH."
This letter she dispatched immedi-
ately by messenger.
Then she went bed in a most
contented frame Of mind.
Promptly at ten the next morning,
before Pearl had finished breakfast,
Richard Carslake was announced
and she had him shown at once to her
study. As he advanced, she saw that
he had grown heavier, cOarser look
ing since their last meeting. and his
eyes were even shiftier and trickier
looking than before. She had never
IiRed his eyes. She had often eau
toned her father against them.
I'm sorry to be compelled to trou-
BILE, Mr. Carslake," she said in greet
ing, after your recent disagreement
with my father. But I wanted most
strongly to know II you recall his
purchasing a violet diamond"
Carslake scrutinized her keen as he
answered:
yes, remember perfectly
though I saw the diamond only for a
moment, I remember he did not buy
the setting"
QulLe true. CTltu I earl
THE gentleman who has it was here
last night"
The gentleman-who has the set
ting?" repeated CarslalSe eagerly.
At that very instant, Nicholas Knox
entered. word having been left with
the butler that Pearl would receive
him whenever he called.
"Why-this is odd. Here he is.
now" she cried. catching sight of
Knox as he advanced.
Carslake turned to Knox. who was
staring curiously from him to Pearl.
us this true? You have the orig
inal setting of the Violet Diamond of
Daroon?" asked CarsIake.
Yes" answered Knox. Il have it."
Carslake moved swiftly 10 the hall
door and locked IL. His action was so
swift so unexpected. that both Pearl
and Knox were taken completely by
surprise. And before they could .,ffer
any protest. he whipped out a re-
volver. and covered them.
THE first person to make a sound
dies" he said tersely. The setting
for the diamond. please"
Pearl and Knox gazed at Carslake
incredulously-unab: to connect him
with the mystery Of the diamond. But
he wasted no time in explanations.
Hold up your hands" he ordered
Knox. seeing that the latter made no
attempt to hand over the setting.
Knox obeyed. seeing determination
written plain in Carslake's face and
knowing well the folly of protesting.
DeXterously. as though he had had
much practice at that sort OF thing
Carslake began to search Enox's
pockets. II took him but a moment to
locate the ring and to bring it forth
with a cry OF triumph.
The Arabs Creep In.
Meanwhile, however, Pearls eyes
had swept the room for some means
OF frustrating Carslake's vtflainy. and
htr glance, resting upon the French
windows. found there the face OF :he
high priestess-the beautiful woman
whom she had seen the night bcsnre
in the garden, in company with the
arabs.
The woman placed a finger on her
Inns, cautioning silence-:ken direct
cd chr attendants to advan~s.
Carslake was so intent upon study
ing the ring that he did not observe
the entrance OF the Arabs, nor did
he hear the fall OF their footsteps
on the thick rugs. They were almost
upon him when instinct warned Vim
and he turned-but not In time to
save himself. One knocked the gun