The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-12

catedY
Most complicated"
"You only say that because you
forget the clews which we possess
toward its solution"
(which clews?"
First, Lupin is travelling under the
name of Monsieur R"
That's rather vague"
Secondly, he's travelling alone"
"If you consider that sufficient
detailp
Thirdly, he is fair"
"Well, then?"
"Then we need only consult the
list of frst-class passengers and pro-
coed by elimination"
/ had the list in my pocket. took
it out and glanced through it:
"To begin with, / see that there
are only thirteen persons whose
names begin with an R"
"On1y thirteena"
"In the first class, yes. Of these
thirteen RS, as you can ascertain for
yourself, nine are accompanied by
their wives, children, or servants.
That leaves four solitary passengers:
the Marquis de Raverdan ."
Secretary of legation" interrupt
ed Miss Underdown. Il know him"
major Rawson So ="
That's my uncle" said some one.
"Signor Rivo1ta ="
"HereW cried one of us, an Ital-
ian, whose face disappeared from
view behind huge black beard.
Miss Underdown had fit of laugh
ing.
THAT gentleman is not exactly
fairw
"Then." L Continued, 1--WE are
bound to conclude that the criminal
is the iast on the list"
"Who is that?"
Monsieur Rozaine. Does any one
know Monsieur Rozaine?"
No one answered. But Miss I'm
derdown, turning to the silent young
man whose assiduous presence by her
side vexed me, said:
"We1l, Monsieur Rozaine, have you
nothing to say!
All eyes were turned upon him.
He was fair-hairedl
I must admit I felt little shock
pass through me. And the constrained
silence that weighed down upon us
showed me that the other passen-
gers present also experienced that
sort of choking feeling. The thing
was absurd, however, for, after all,
there was nothing in his manner to
warrant Our suspecting him.
"Have I nothing to say?" he re-
piled. well, you see, realizing what
my name was and the color of my
hair and the fact that am travelling
by myself, I have already made sim
liar inquiry and arrived at the SAINT
conclusion. My opinion, therefore. il
that ought to be arrested"
He wore a queer expression as he
uttered these words. His thin, pale
lips grew thinner and paler still. Hi:
eyes were bloodshot.
There was no doubt that hi
was testing. And yet his appearance
and attitude impressed US. Miss I'm
derdown asked, innoeently:
But have you a wound?"
"That's true" he said. "The wount
is missing"
With a nervous movement, he pull
ed up his cuff and uncovered his arm
But a sudden idea struck me. NJ,
i eyes met Miss Underdown's; he hat
shown his left arm.
And, upon my word, was on TIL
point of remarking upon this, whel
an incident occurred to divert our at
tention. Lady Gerland, Miss Under
downs friend, came running up.
She was in state of great agita
ton. Her fellow-passengers crowded
round her; and it was only afte
many efforts that she succeeded il
stammering OUT:
my jewelsl =" My pearisi -
They've all been stolenl"
No, they had not all been stolen
as we subsequently discovered;
much more curious thing had hap
pened: the thief had made selec
toni
From the diamond star, the pend
ant of uncut rubies, the broken neck
1aces and bracelets, he had remove
not the largest, but the finest tn
most precious stones-those, in fac
which had the greatest value and a
the same time occupied the snalles
space. Tie settings were left lying o
the table I saw them, we all say
them. stripped of their gems Xix
flowers from which the fair, bright
colored petals had been torn.
Al e. ~,rry o,,t fhie xyort he n