The Hardin tribune-herald., 1935-10-25

her impression was that both of them
were drunk"
"Meuble must have gone overheard in
the struggle" said Mrs. Farley family.
%, wtSh-not that wish the death
of any human being-but since one
had to die
He knew what she meant. "Thsr, Of
course, was the verdict. Anderson, when
questioned, denied that he was drunk,
but from his condition in the morning
there is very little doubt that he was.
He said the envelope contained bond
that Meuble had taken as security for
a debt and in his drunken stupidity he
was trying to raise money on it. He
said that Meuble got it back again,
and if he had gone overheard it was
now with him at the bottom Of the
sea. His story is that Meuble left him
in the scuppers with the water pouring
over him, and that when he was able to
pull himself together and get up he
struggled downstairs to bed"
Il wonder if that's true"
Probably not But it's all we'll ever
know. If Anderson pushed Meuble ov-
erboard or saw him fall without giving
an alarm, it would be murder in either
case. Lady Werner said she went on
reading for at least half an hour in the
one could hear cry for help or the
splash of body above that tunlultuous
rain.
DR.. Nelson resisted his impulse to
take her fragile little figure in his arms
and comfort her. What use to let this
rich woman know he loved her? Her
trouble would pass, and with it her
need Of him. They moved in different
worlds He said, "Well. must go now.
have very sick patient in the third
class. I'll see you later. Go into the
dining room for dinner. It will serve
no purpose to keep out of Anderson's
way"
The ship was now two days out of
Bombay and some of the passengers
were giving farewell parties Lady Wer-
ner brought Mr.. and Mrs. Matthew
Tressider to the captains table for
dinner She said to Mrs. Farley, Gar
oline, my dear, Mr.. Tressider is an ex-
pert in precious stones and is greatly
interested in cutting and ornamental
settings I said woul dask you to let
him see your emerald bracelet"
Mrs. Farley colored "Why, of course,
with pleasure" After dinner she drew
Lady Werner aside and murmured.
Frances, I'm terribly sorry. I can't
show him the bracelet. I've - well,
I've mlSlald 1T.
"Mislaid that priceless bracelet"
Lady Werner was no more than ten
years older than Caroline Farley, but
her impressive height and majestic
bearing set her generation apart from
the younger woman. Wasn't that very
careless, my dear? Are you sure it isn't
stolen? Have you told the purser? One
can't mislay a jewel worthy of place
in queens regalia!"
It was seldom that Lady Werner was
so loquacious. but she seemed usually
stirred from her native calm Mrs. Far
ley, overweight and almost hysterical
from the long strain imposed on her,
suddenly burst into tears. "PleaSe don't
ask me about it any more" she Sobbed.
"It's gone beyond recall. If you knew
what these last few treasures mean to
me you'd know I wouldn't be so care
less as to lose it," Lady Werner show
ed no surprise. She patted Caroline
as you wish. I will say no more about
1t was late when the doctor called
he looked perplexed and disappointed.
He came straight to the point. well,
I went to see Anderson. The man has
something up his sleeve. Actually denies
that any conversation about you has
ever passed between us, or if so, he
must have been drunk. I mentioned
the emerald bracelet and he said If
he ever had it he has not got it now.
When mentioned the relationship be-
tween you he said he had never heard
of it, did not remember ever having
seen you before, and if you claimed him
as former husband you would jolly well
have to prove it, For the first time on
the trip he was absolutely stone cold
SOBER" i
Mrs. Farley put her hand to her heart
with a harassed gesture. "This is ter
rible. Worse than anything that has
gone before. Now indeed shall go|
mad with mystery"
DR.. Nelson dared not tell Mrs. Farley
how uneasy he felt himself. They
were up against blank wall and there
was nothing any one could do. "One
comfort" said the doctor, whatever 1t
is will develop soon. The day after
tomorrow we are due in Bombay"
Nothing, however, transpired till half
past nine the following night. Then
the doctor received message that
Lady Werner wanted to see him in her
the debris of recent packing. She dis
missed her maid and then went to the
drawer of a wardrobe trunk. The doctor
was shocked to see the green fire of
Mrs. Farley's emerald bracelet in her
hand II want you to do something for
me, Dr. Nelson" She smiled-a smile
that banished the habitual austerity of
her patrician face. II have seen that
you have the confidence of Mrs. Far
ley. She trusts you and you are attach
ed to her. I want you to return this
bracelet in such a way that she will
never know it has been in my posses
sion. 1t it possible for you to do that?"
"Why-yes, of course. Lady Werner.
I'd appreciate it if you would trust me
also and tell me how it came into your
hands. AS you say, am in Mrs. Far