Evening star., 1918-01-27
s MIR. BECK went up the bro:

- 8 MIR. BECK went up the broad
A stone steps of the front en-
~ tranc. of Holmhurst. the
q y stately seat of the Duke of
Southern, he PASSED two men going
down rather hastily. One of the two
was tall and 1.-THE, with long. clever
face that somehow seemed familiar to
Mr.. Beck. His companion walked a
little lame. was stodter. shorter. duller
looking.
The electric bell tinkled. The gor-
geous footman showed Mr.. Beck
straight through the great hall. crowd
ed with trophies of many centuries. to
the room-a small library or large
study whichever you please to call it
which was the dukes own private
sanctum.
His grace was pacing the floor rest
Iessly. like particularly active senti-
mel. backward and forward on the same
line Of the carpet. A handsome, WELL
set-up man was the duke. about forty
years of age, with broad shoulders,
and kindly face. pleasant to look at.
But now the pleasant face was crowded
with anxiety and anger. So self-ab-
sorbed was he that he did not hear the
footman call the name.
II beg your pardon. sir he said; 'I
have not the honor of-may 1 ask
who-?"
'Oh. my name is Beck You wired to
town for me-
'Mr. Beck. the well known detec-
tive?" said the duke.
40 INV hasf RoclS ,,od.
estly; "and the boys say I'm lucky.
What can I do for you, duke?'
My dear sir. You can help me out of
the biggest trouble of my life. Up to
half an hour ago l hardly cared at all,
except for her sake, of course. But
now Did you meet two men as you
came up the avenue?"
Y met two men on the steps"
"of course. they knew the face of the
famous detective. Mr.. Murdock Rose?
He doesn't object to being called IA
nous
81 am bound to tell you everything,
! suppose. like father contessor. But
this is grotesque-you will hardly cred
1t It. When Mr.. Rose heard all the
facts he asked to see me alone. and he
saw me. He was convinced-or affected
70 be convinced. for some purpose
that It was my wife herself stole the
wonderfully-wonder But. Mr..
Rose said, this is idiotic nonsense
Nonsense he said. is often another
name for quintessenot OF reason
of course. that ended it. ! was as
civil to him as l could be. but I am
afraid that was not cvermuch. and he
marched of with his head in the air"
May come fn?''
1t was womans voice-a very
pleasant woman's voice. Without wait
Ing for an answer q girl, not more
than twenty years of age, glided into
the room, light and graceful as young
deer. She was dressed in dark-blue
silk that rippled and flashed with
changing light; like the clear sea in
sunshine and shadow. There were dia-
monds on her white throat and in her
dark hair. Her grace was from
America.
mot a word before her." the duke
whfspsred hastily as she came toward
my wife"
oh! I'm so glad you've come. I have
heard of you from my friend, Lily Har-
court-the diamond case, you know
once. I know YOU will find out who
stole my opal. Such y beauty 1t was.
14r. Beck; an big as walnut-yes, as a
small walnut. Reggie The queen her
self could not have one like it If she
wanted one ever So much. It was my
own fault 1t was lost. of course-I
would wear 1t down here. But know
you will lind 1t for me. Mr.. Beck. as
soon ~ ever you can. You found sLlly,S
diamonds in one day after they were
etolen-don't you remem ber? But /
must warn you not to begin by suspect
ing the wrong person. Lucy, my maid.
has nothing to say to stealing the opal.
nor her sweetheart, either, though they
hare put him in prison for it. He
couldn't, you see, without her knowing
II, and she would not. know. We were
children together, Lucy and /. when l
was at home. and she came here with
me as my own maid. though she is more
companion tkan maid, when l was mar
ried, and she's the very last person in
the world who would think Of But
forget, you cannot know in the least
what I'm talking about. l think I'd
batter go for Herbert, dear'-this to