Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-28

WHILE Colonel Wharton was stoop
w ing over in the act of closing the
safe, and before he rose to his feet, /
happened to look up and thought ! saw
a face f6ttened against the window
pane, gazing in at the performance with
fascinated interest. | made my way
there in two or three quick strides-and
found nothing. Was it n figment of
my imagination? Possibly. My mind
was in whirl, and | was fully capable
of seeing things, as the saying goes.
When | stepped back to the far side
of the room, Doctor Henderson and the
others had resumed their seats and
Colonel Wharton was talking to them
citement. He tried to appear st ease,
but l could see that restraint had
come over the entire party.
For the first time since I met him.
Jules Jacquette was plainly tiustered.
This estimable Brazilian rubbed his
hand across the bristles of his closely
shaven head and scowlcd furiously at
the burning logs.
Usually he dominated the CONVERSE
ton, but now he was content to be
still and think. Occasionally he bit his
finger nails and knitted his bushy eye
brows. And, almost constantly, he beat
tattoo with his small feet
The others seemed to be similarly
affected. Doctor Henderson looked as
il he were sorry he had intSduced the
subject, while Victor Jayne kept his
eyes glued upon Jules Jacquette as if to
get his cue from the Brazilian. Aunt
Sarah was plainly perturbed, and
Dora's lips twitched as if it were all
she could do to keep from bursting into
tears.
And how about myself? All. I fear
that my poor words would not begin
to describe my emotions. The thing
| had hoped and prayed might not hap,
pen had actually come to pass, Colonel
Wharton was the possessor of a rare
diamond that had been smuggled through
the custom lines and Hugh Garland
was pledged to the government of the
United States to recover that diamond
and to bring the offender to justice.
Every one in the room realized that the
colonel had been guilty of a serious in
discretion in exhibiting the diamond
that is. everybody but the colonel. That.
to my mind, was the only thing in his
favor. A guilty man could not, act
with such chidlike innocence. And yet
his action in keeping it locked from view
was suspicious to say the least HOW
did he get it? And where did he get
it? These were two questions which 1t
was my duty to ask him.
But the most agonizing part of the
business was the effect it might have
upon my future relations with Dora
Wharton. loved her, how deeply was
only becoming evident now that | had
reached the parting of the ways. |
could not bear the thought of giving her
up. Yet how could I go on weaving the
net of guilt about her uncle and at the
same time expect to win and retain
her affection? The question was too
deep and too perplexing. And, worst
of all. what would she think of me
when she discovered that ! was spe-
cial agent of the United States Treasury
praced in the house of a man who
was more than father to her?
covered my face with my hands and
made no attempt to answer that men
tai query. | was reused from my
stupor by hearing the voice of Colonel
Wharton talking in the grandiloquent
tone of a professional lecturer. He had
recovered his self possession and was
now in the boastful mood of the col
lector who has gained coveted prlzea.
Gentlemen" he was saying, 1t Is