The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-09-07
cast ann we5T
BY TALBOT MUNDY SERVICE
Q TALBOT MUNDY-WNU SERVICE


The Resident nodded. He didn't
appear to enjoy the prospect. They
went into the darkened library, and
Norwood sat In the same chair that
Rundhia had occupied. He laid the
black paper package of diamonds on
the table:
'Take a look at those, sir. !
want to turn them over to you. I
would like to get a receipt, and to
make statement in writing"
The Resident opened the envelope
and poured the diamonds into his
hand. He made a wry face and
| poured them back again:
Miner"
''I haven't counted them"
''They look valuable. Where did
you get them?"
81 am not absolutely certain. I
think they must have been slipped
into my pocket, early this morning,
by one of the unofficial representa-
tives of the temple authorities, who
met me by appointment, near the
| waterfall"
What were you doing?"
Inviting myself for a visit of in
spection of the mine. They met me
| to discuss it..
"And you say they dropped these
in your pocket?"
ST believe so. It's a pretty OBJ
vious attempt to bride me to write
a report in their favor.
But they said nothing? Not even
a hint?"
Zone of them, remember, did
say he hoped my judgment wouldn't
be affected by worthless arguments.
| He rather dwelt on the word worth
less, but it made no special impress
| sion on me at the time"
VERY well, Captain Norwood, I
will take your statement. The Resi-
dent glanced at his watch. You're
rather late with it. There seems to
me to be needed some explanation
when you called this morning"
az didn't know, at that time, that
! had them in my pocket"
The Residents face was express
sionless: ''You had better be sure
to include that in your statement.
It's credible, of course, IN view of
your record. But people might draw
differences. Don't you think sou
''You suggest, sir?"
Nothing. 1 am offering advice.
It might be inferred that you ac-
cepted these diamonds and said
nothing about them until you
learned, let us say at the palace,
that someone knew about it; and
that then you hurried to me in
rather belated attempt to establish
innocence. I am simply pointing out
| to you what might be inferred if
you are not particularly careful"
Norwood stared at the package Of
| diamonds. He thought a minute.
Then he looked straight in the Resi-
dents eyes and spoke quite calmly:
You appear to me to be limiting.
Had you heard about these before I
brought them to your
eyes"
''Who was your Informant"
1T was confidential.
"You suspect me of having &C
cepted bribe?"
| reserve my opinion.
Every well, sir, you admit that
someone accused me. I want the
name of the informant. Otherwise
I demand my arrest and court
martial"
Keep your temper. You have al
ready been reported to me for punch
ing someone's nose"
''Whose?"
''My informant's nose was bleed
ing"
very well, who was he? I have
punched no ones nose. Someone
has been lying to you about me.
Surely I have the right to know who
|! he is"
Captain Norwood, on your word
of honor, are you telling the TRUTH"
eyes"
''Wen, perhaps I was mistaken.
Perhaps I inferred it. I forget the
exact words. Prince Rundhia GER
| tainly intended me to understand
that you had made his nose bleed"
''Oh. So it was Rundhia. I won
der how the devil Rundhia knew I
had those diamonds"
well, did you call on Miss Hard
ing this morning."
Norwood stared. He looked al
most as if he had been punched in
the jaw.
Yes" he said, after a moment.
ST called on Mrs. Harding to take
her a bottle of fresh iodine. Miss
Harding saw the diamonds when
they fell from my pocket"
SIS it true that you have been
paying her lot of attention."
mo"
"You have not had words with
Rundhia about herr"
Eyes. / did tell Rundhia, last
night after midnight, that if anything
should happen to Lynn Harding, I
would hold him answerable."
why should you have said that?"
Because ! Like her. I suspected
Rundhia's intentions"
''Are you sure she is nice? Why
should she have told Rundhia?"
81 don't believe she did Rundhia
lied, if you ask me. Perhaps a serv-
ant told him"
"Just a moment, sir This oc-
ours to me- Is Rundhia exactly in
good standing?"
mo. Confdentia1ly, speaking off
the record, took recent occasion
to warn him that one more indiscre-
ton might endanger his succession
| to the throne"
81 suppose" said Norwood, sit
would be a great deal easier, and
would cause a lot less trouble, to