South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-12
COUNTFRED By c.

OF invoking police aid second time. which
would involve confession on my part OF hav-
Ing told that lie to Inspector Dornton.
Then II occurred 10 me that IL you would
help to trace Birney quietly-Ive heard so
much about you from time 20 time-that |
could discover the diamonds, or, at any rate,
get on the track OF them without bounding the
boy down again"
Yes" said Duff promptly. Il will certainly
do everything can TO trace the diamonds"
Thank you" said the old man sincerely.
brief pause fell between the two.
II was Duff who broke II.
why did you bring the necklace to town
with you If you are only up 70 IA weekend?"
he asked casually.
Its no use telling you anything but the
truth, Major Dun, replied Gallon. The fact
is that owing to one thing and another. I've
been embarrassed lately for ready money.
decided 20 sell the diamonds, and made an APP
pointment with the London representatives OF
Poissons the Paris firm, to call at the hotel this
afternoon 10 see ii. Brney wrote the letter.
He knew what the stones we're worth, and sue
cumbed to the temptation. | blame myself en-
tirely for having put such temptation in his
way"
HAS your wife worn the diamonds lately?"
asked Dun. in a casual tone
yes; the evening before We came 70 town. at
a dinner party We gave. Why do you ask?"
demanded the old man, wit a puzzled frown.
and where did you keey them at Holm
With my wife's other jewels In secret safe
in her boudoir."
The necklace IS insured, of course?"
Fully, at Lloyd's But. you see. Major Dun,
/ can't make claim without involving Birney
in fresh disgrace"
Then the first thing to do is 10 discover
where Birney has gone" said Duff, faint. Curl
Gus smile pickering across his face.
How are you going to begin?' asked Gallon
hepessy.
Duff shrugged his shoulders
AT the starting-poi The place he dis
appeared frOm-your hotel I'll be ready in
few minutes"
The two men got into the waiting taxi drawn
up in the courtyard outside Duff's house and
quickly conveyed TO the Hotel Splendid.
on the Thames Embankment
On the way Duff shot sudden. apparently
incOnsequent question.
Can you remember exactly what Birney said
when you showed him his signet-ring?' he
asked
Cation wrinkled his brows thoughtfully.
Not word" he asserted, after brief pause.
"He simply stood and stared at II speechlessly
for something like half minute. Then he
turned away, stood staring out through the
window. and suddenly wheeled back again and
blurted out his confession.
They reached the hotel, and were whirled
up in the lift to the sixth floor to Sir Evan
Cations suite of rooms
Lady Cation, tall, pink-andwhite beauty.
dressed in a misty gray restgown that set on
her exquisite fairness admirably, was seated in
a deep armchair before a cheerful fire.
A quick shade Of annoyance crossed her face
as her eyes fell on the figure OF Major Derwent
Duff 1t was gone instantly. to give place to
q smile in acknowledgment OF her husbands
visitor
It's awfully good of you to help US Major
Duff" she said. in a soft. sweet voice we
are both anxious that the boy should be traced
without any publicity, il possible. It's very
dreadful isn't it? In spite of his confession,
can scarcely realize that he took the diamonds.
I'd give anything II only we hadn't left such
a temptation in his way"
Dun assured her that he would do anything
in his power to trace the missing youngster,
and suggested that he should begin his search
in Birney's room
Cation led the way along photographed
corridor to a closed door at the far end.
Il locked il as soon as discovered that he
had gone" he said, taking key from his
pocket and turning it in the lock.
He swung the door open, disclosing a dis.
ordered bedroom
There abundant evidence that it's last
occupant had taken a hasty departure. The
floor strewn with torn papers, empty
drawers stood gaping open. and the tiled hearth
of the fireplace was covered with charred
papers, broken into minute fragments Near
the fender lay a litter Of thin, splintered
glass
Dun's particularly keen sense of smell de-
tected faint but unmistakable odor of burnt