Charlevoix county herald., 1918-06-28

ly. at is my belief that the one who
obtained possession Of that stone
would be person of too great
strategic perception to leave at this
time"
Heffy considered. Little by little
his ,;rin came back. "Well, maybe"
he admitted. 'T'll go tell tn boss to
tell tn folks they can beat 1t when
they're ready"
"Th..t will not be necessary" said
Semi "He was to do so unless we
sent him word to the contrary by this
time. took the liberty of assuring
him that you would notify him unless
you were in accord with me on that
point, as l felt you would be-"
Sure" assented Heffy. your
idea about the thief not tippin' him.
self by leavin' Is q better one than
mine. I reckon. That bein' settled.
what next?"
Dual nodded.
II am glad you agree. Next we
should. think, take steps to close the
incident as speedily as may be-" He
turned to Dayton, who had been
maintaining a nonplused silence.
you, Mr.. Dayton, permit me to
suggest may as well go up to the Win
garde suite. Miss Evelyn was awake
when ! came down and asking for
you. assured her would send you
up.
II am sure you will be very glad to
know, gentlemen" - he swept US all
into the scope of his remarks-"that
the young lady has shown her admir-
able balance by rallying bravely from
the first shock of her bereavement and
is now in a much more resigned frame
of mind. Her control is in fact praise
worthy indeed, robbed of her father
in strange country as she Is.
"Mr. Dayton, as her fiance, is, I
think, the logical supporting influence
which she should now be given. l am
the rest of the day, until such time as
we may want him, to giving her his
society and moral support, and divert
ing her mind thereby so far as he may
from the trying position in which she
finds herself just now.
at Is In times of trouble that those
we love can help us most, and the man
to whom a woman intends to commit
herself and her life. is more fitted to
shield her than any other should be.
1t is at such times that the man should
be a firm support for the more impul-
sive and emotional female.
Zone Of the most beautiful things
in life is a man and woman standing
In mutual strength against the buffet
ings of environment. In such we have
mans nearest approach to real hap
piness on this plane of existence.
Heaven itself smiles on the true
mates. who find their true aim and OBJ
ject in each other"
by Jove," said Dayton softly.
"You-er-that is you think Evelyn
wants me?"'
Dual nodded. "She asked me to
send you up"
Then I'll go. you know" Dayton
rose. "Fll be there If you want me.
I-er-good morning" He walked
off very erect and square shouldered.
"Bravo!" applauded Laredo. "An'
while Senior Dayton consoles his
fiance, shall we not discover the
missing image, and the emerald, per-
haps?"
AN the proof of who took IT,"
Heffy added
"And of who gave Charley the
bills" threw In.
Dual shot me a glance OF what
felt was approval. Exactly" he said.
First, IL DR.. Osborne will permit It,
should like to inspect the bodies
OF the Indian and Professor Win
garden"
Certainly" Osborne assented, II
would be glad to have you do so.
While there seems small doubt about
my diagnosis, confess there is an I'M
usual atmosphere about the affair -
the locality of the wounds, and -
well, I'd rather like to hear your opin-
ION"
Semi Dual nodded. "Mr. Glace told
me. Shall we go to the card-room at
once?"
Osborne rose and the rest Of us fol-
lowed. In group we passed toward
the door. finding our way among the
tables In the rear with Heffy noted
many eyes turn and follow Dual. II
was always so when he appeared with
his quiet, commanding bearing, so in
keeping with his splendid figure and
poise.
We passed out of the dining-room
and into the lobby where groups of
the hotels guests were still lingering
In conversation, and on across 1t to
the closed door of the room in which
the nights victims lay stretched on
the green tables where so many games
OF chance had been waged. none more
bizarre or unexpected In outcome,
however. than the one they had played
with fate, and lost.
Osborne set the door open and mo-
toned Dual inside. Laredo, Heffy
and came after, and then the physi-