The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-02-01

ward, sent away by his master, and dis
appeared at sign from me into his own
room.
| took off my shoes and opened the
door stealthily to the lawyers room. AS
/ had expected, he had gone into one
OF the other rooms, where he kept his
collection.
Without making any noise followed
him.
In the innermost room the old man
stood before the open door of one of his
iron safes. His shaky hands were busy
trying to adjust pair of spectacles with
round glasses to his nose.
] took my time, until he had taken
out from a secret drawer an object
which he held close up to his eyes. The
next minute my hand lay on his shout
der, and Immediately after the black tor
toise was safe in my pocketl
! led the old fellow carefully across
the room to chair. He had never ut
tered word
He remained seated, gasping for
breath with half-shut eyes, and his with
cred hands dancing up and down in his
lap
| made him drink glass of wine, and
after little while he found his speech
again.
What right have you to sneak in
upon me and take my property? The
diamond is mine--I have honestly
bought it," and he stretched out his
hands, as if to get it back.
The diamond is stolen property"
said, and will be delivered by me into
the hands of the authorities. | am sorry
have been obliged to play trick upon
you to get it from you; but under
stood at once that you wouldn't give it
up of your own free Will"
Il have bought it and paid for it, and
it is not stolen property; your con-
duct will cost you dear, Mr.. Monk"
No more talk about that, if you
please, Mr.. Jurgens," l said firmly.
From whom did you buy the dia-
mond ?"
81 bought the diamond from Miss
Prick, and she got it from her uncle"
The old man could not say another
word, for my hands were round his
throat Only for moment, however.
I remembered myself, and let go my
hold, but remained standing in front of
him quivering with rage.
What is it you dare say about the
young lady, about Sigrid, about my
mean about Mr.. tricks niece? Mr..
Prick himself has given information of
the robbery, and now you say that Miss
Prick has sold the diamond to you;
that is the same as saying that she has
stolen it. You can thank your stars
that you are an old man, otherwise"
The old man stretched out his hand,
as if to ring; but no bell was near. His
eyes wandered wildly,
Then it stood clearly before me that ]
had nearly frightened the life out of
him, and | at once became calmer.
BE sensible, sir, and take the matter
quietly 1t was imprudent of you to buy
the diamond, but we all know, of course,
that you did it in good faith. But it will
be necessary that you give a truthful ac-
count of how you got it, and from whom.
If not, it may become disagreeable
business for you That you can well
understand"
Il only understand that have bought
the diamond from a young lady and
given FIVE thousand kroners for it. She
did not ask for more" said the old man,
while his eyes began to look
brighter when you say it was not
Miss Prick, perhaps, after all, it was not
she; but then it must have been the
other young girl in the house l believe
they call her Evelina. Yes, it was she,
if you absolutely must know it."
well, that is far more probable, sir"
/ said ereouragingly, for | felt little
ashamed of my violent conduct to the
old man, "and you must excuse me if 1
was little rough with you."
I rang myself for the servant, and
with him as witness, gave the lawyer
a receipt for the tortoise, which I took
with me. and left
=
The superintendent was not little
surprised when ! put the diamond be-
ItlIl Oh lllC anu WilCh k1d0
given my report, he congratulated me at
the result, and complinented me on the
manner in which / had conducted the
affair.
found it unnecessary to mention Jur-
gens's wretched attempt to prove that
it was Miss Prick who had sold him the
diamond.
The superintendent did not lay much
stress on the part Jurgens had played in
the matter.
"The man must soon be pronounced
incapable of managing his own affairs,
and be placed under proper control. He
will, of course, be declared irresponsible
by the court if the public prosecutor
should proceed against him"
In this l fully concurred. Then
gave the superintendent detailed ac-
count of my visit to Mrs Reierson,
and of how the actors name was men
toned, and of my hurried meeting with
the latter
do I understand you Alright" said