South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-16

door ~ He dropped 10 the floor ana
caught one or MS pointed patent
feathers IN both hands. letting out a
scream OF agony.
Get up commanded Poe. step
ping over Jerking the frightened fell
Iow 10 his feet and pushing him
through the buffers pantry. There
ne shook himself free OF Jacques
and told him TO 20 10 the door.
Jacques got command OF himself
and went a minute later he ush-
cred his master into the dining
room
Hello" cried Poe. standing W Tin
his back toward the entrance 10 the
kitchen and shaking Armstrong;
hand
What's the matter. Jacaues7'
asked Armstrong, as his man brush
ed lightly against his sleeve.
May I pass, Monsieur, / am late
with re dinner"
Poor Jacques." laughed Poe. II
have kept him busy looking for your
diamond. I must apologize for de-
laying dinner. Come. We will help
Jacques prepare it,
Christopher Poe pushed the door
open and passed through TO the
kitchen. followed by Armstrong.
Jaeques peering anxiOusly ahead
over his masters shoulder"
Poe stepped 10 a cabinet and took
out two glasses. "A high ball before
dinner" he cried. clinking the
classes together and standing COM
fortabIy against the kitchen sink.
Armstrong gazed at his friend with
an odd twist 10 his smile; as JAG
ques touched Poe's sleeve reverently
and asked, Monsieur. may I come
20 the sink and open the oysters
I'm a second Jacques. Get the
whisky bottle from the dining-room.
Come hurry" he added az Jacques
paused. dinner is late enough"
While Jacques was gone Poe step
ped 10 the ice-bOx and took out a
settler bottle.
Have YOU any clue2" asked Arm
strong. anxously. What's the mat
ter with Jacques2 Have you disCov-
cred anything"
There wasn't time for an answer,
as the valet returned with the whis-
key decanter at that moment. Poe
had resumed his position against the
sink: he took the flask and poured
little OF the liquor into each glass.
reached for the seltzer bottle anu
sked. Have you some cracked ice,
Jacques2"
II will get some" answered the
servant. his lips tightly compressed
and very white as he rushed to the
ice-box and tore open the door.
"Oh. never mind" cried Poe, turn
ing quickly TO the pan of cracked
ice behind him and scooped a little
from the middle OF the pan into
each glass
lie squirted in the settler and
handed one Of the high balls to
Armstrong.
We'll. here's hoping you find the
diamond" lie paused and glanced
toward Jacques. standing in the
middle OF the room, a cake OF ice in
ms hands. his mouth and eyes fixed
open But GOMEZ" cried Poe, well
drink it in the other room"
He led the way TO the dining
and they sat down together at the
table slipping their drinks. Arm.
strong asked again in "a low voice II
Poe had any clew.
i've "a number OF them" answered
Poe, leaning close over the table and
stirring his nigh ball briskly. $50
many ,hings might have happened
OF course. Ninon had nothing TO dc
with 10. but there are many ways in
which the diamond might have beer
lost without any one ever finding it
How? What ways?"
well. FOR one" Poe shrugged hi,
shoulders. "Ninon might have haC
glass of water standing on tabl,
nearby Are you sure there WASH
one"
why. no how absurd, wha
could a glass OF water have to d,
with a disappearing diamond Q"
a great deal Poe paused al
Jacques siJled into the dining-roou
to- lay the cloth As Poe looked "a
him the valet started abruptly 70
the kitchen door as though he ha,
forgotten something. Jacques,
called Poe. and the servant returned
Did YOU ever hear that If diamond
were dropped into a glass of waite
ir could not be seem You hav
heard. I presume, that they some
times test diamond in that mamie
10 see II they are Of first water. a
they say a good diamond canno
he seen in a glass OF water. il is in
visible because the water blocks tn
rays OF light that would otherwis
make the stone sparkle. You hav
heard Of that. I presume. Jacques
Armstrong was leaning across tn
table. his high ball finished. tryint
To- catch the drift of Poes meaning
"Oh. doubtless. sir, I must hav
heard OF IT," answered Jacque
through dry lips.
It's a simple fact Poe went on
Vow. with ice the same way. Thi
is transparent. TOO. II I were q
throw diamond into a heap O
cracked ice you'd never notice IL.
it were about the same size as tn
pieces Of ice Poe stopped and drew
Armstrong; glass across the tabl
10 him. the Zee in IL had almos
melted. az but one small piece IL
The bottom. FOR instance ne con