. and admitted Nelly,
TRIE SRR ERIE IER
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The Diamond Coterie
By LAWRENCE M. LYNCH (E. M. Van Deventer)
Author of “A Woman’s Crime,” “John Arthar’s Ward,” “The Lost Witness,” “A Slender Clue,” “Dangerous Ground,” “ Against Odds,” Etc., Etc.
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(Continved )
“ghis only daughter!" repeated the ae- ective ‘in a hushed evinpathetic voice; what a blow! whata bitter blow to a father’s heart. Ah, madam,’’ turning te Mrs. Aliston, ‘*these things are common, especially soto men in my profession, put we can never adjust ourselves to them for all that; each one comes to some one with the sheck of a never before experi- enced horror. Death is common, the commonest thing of all but, it is the ‘king of terrors’ still.*’
flis voice, low, splendidly modulated godly cadenced, seemed thrilling with gympathy, and he sighed as he lowered his eyes to the floor, and relapsed into meditation, seemingly forgetful of the pusines in hand.
Sudddenly he started, seeming to re- cover himself with an effort.
“Pardon my abstraction,’’ he said, a ghade of pensiveness still lingering in his soice. “In ee ee sor- row, I am forgetting your business. I can eply hope that this matter is not so bad as it might be, as such thihgs semetimes
“Tt’s as bad as it can be,’’ responded Constance, gloomily. ‘‘It wOh't bear dis- cussion; I mentioned it te you, Mr. Bel- knap, in order to show you how entirely
absorbed Mr. Lamotte will of necessity be tn his own affairs when he reaches home, and that we will be obliged to move in this matter without him.’’
“Perhaps there is some one else you may desire to consult in Mr. Lamotte’s absence?’ hazarded the private detective.
“No,” replied Constance; ‘‘my lawyer {s out of town, and there is no one else upon whom Ican rely. You must act alone, Mr. Belknap.”’
“* Authorized by you I shall not hesitate to do so,”’ he replied, bowing courteously. “fhe case looks very clear to me. It will be a matter of time of course, these old birds are sly; but eventually they will try to market their wares, and then we shall have them. You can give me an aceurate description of all the stolen jewels, Miss Wardour?”’
“Oh, certainly.”’
“Then the sooner that ter."
is done the bet-
At this moment a soft rap sounded on |
crossed the room who said in a low
the door. Constance
tone :—
“Mr. Francis Lamotte wishes to see you, Miss. I tola him you were particu- lar engaged, just as you told me; but he said to tell you he had just come from his search, and would only detain you for 4 moment.”’
Constance paled slightly, and after a moment's thought, said :— “Wait a moment, Nelly.’”’ Then ehe
went back and addressed the detective and her aunt.
"It is Francis Lamotte,’’ she saiu, adding, by way of explanation to the detective, ‘‘the eldest son of Mr. La- motte, and brosher of the young lady who has brought trouble to herself and fimily. He, Francis, went on Saturday, on a self-imposed search through the sur- rounding country, in the hopes of finding some trace of these robbers. If he is but now returned ‘He*cannot>yet have heard of his sister's flight. We cannot kt him go away in ignorance, and yet,’’ turning a look of swift appeal upon her aunt, “Aunt Honor, will you lay aside old pre- judices and tell him of this sad misfor- tune?’’
Mrs. Aliston looked moment, then a look miseration came into thought :—
“She can’t be very much infatuated with him or she would herself undertake this delicate task, and I can afford to pity the poor fellow, since she does not pity him overmuch,’’ hence the strange mitgling of pleasure and pity in her face as she said aloud :—
“Certainly I will break the news to
im, my dear, and as gently es is in my power.’’
Gonstance was turning to give her an- fwer to Nelly when the voice of the de- tective interposed.
“Pardon me,’’ he said, ‘‘you tell me this young man has been scouring the country in search of information. Would i not be well to hear what report he brings? To allow me to see him here in your presence, and then let Mrs. Aliston tell him her story. Il] news you know,” Sniling slightly, ‘‘comes soon enough at atest.’
doubtful for a of satisfied com- her face as she
“Your suggestion is good,” replied Constance, whose face continued to look anxious and troubled. ‘We will receive him here, then, and after hearing his Story, you and I can withdraw.”
In the hurry and embarrassment of the moment, and the situation, Constance had entirely forgotten the proximity of the concealed detective, as also had Mrs Aliston; and that invisible gentleman “gan to scent the prospect of ; im- Prisonment. er ba doa Obedient to a Nelly vanished, and Ushering in Francis Lamotte, looking ‘omewhat jaded and travel-worn, but quite confident and smiling.
nhafew words Constance made him acquainted with the detective, and gave him an outline of the doings at Wardour. ~woamreny. Mr. Belknap’s discoveries, Since he was last there; and the subdued kindness of her manner, caused him to
Wonder not a little and j rejoice Within himself, . a
~ And so you have } down to a after the ¢
nod from Constance,
soon re-appeared,
een bringing things fine point,’’ said Francis, reetings were over. and he had
listened To Cionstance’s explanation or tne present state of affairs.
“It appears then that I come just in time; and perhaps you sir,’’ bowing to Mr. Belknap, ‘‘may conclude that my
amateur work has not been quite thrown away, or misapplied.’’
‘‘Pray give me details," said the de- tective, consulting his watch, which was a huge silver affair, quite in keeping with the disguise he still wore. ‘‘I must econ- omize my time, as much as may be, and shall be glad to hear all you have to tell —at once. Miss Wardour instructs me to act in this matter, according to my best judgment, and that tells me to shorten my stay here, and commence a search in the city.’’
‘*All I Know is soon told,’’ said young Lamotte, with a light laugh. ‘‘I rode a rrent many miles, and asked a great many useless questions. Yesterday, how- ver, I learned that two men had boarded a freight train bound cityward, at day break, Sunday morning, at Blair, a little watering station, some fifteen miles from here. I could not get a very accurate de- scription of them. They were below the medium size, I should judge, wearing loose-fitting dark gray garments, ard soft mts, pulled well down over their faces. Lhe man at the tank tells me, he notieed distinetly that one of them wore very
large heavy boots, and that they were > @. Gaubed here and there with red clay.
Acting upon this hint, I rode some four miles southeast from Blair, knowing that there is « piece of marsh field, which the highway crosses, that has a reddish. clayey soil. Here, after asking a good many wrong persons, I found at last the right one, in the person of a farmer who, hearing some unusual noize among his cattle, arose before deybra:k, and, going toward his barn, noticed two shadoavy forms crossing the field just beyond. They were coming from the south, he said, and he watched them until they climbed the fence and struck into the road leading toward Blair. It was too dark for him to see them distinctly, but as they were then crossing a red loam lield, we are safe to conclude that they were the two who a littie later, took to the freizht cars at the water station.”’
Mr. elknap had been for some mo- menta writing rupidly in a small mem- orandum book, and as Francis ceased speaking, Constance, after a moinent’s silence, said, more to relieve the stillness than with a desire for any further inteili- gence :—
‘* And is that all, Frank?’
**That is enough,’ interposed the de- tective, before the young man could re- ply. ‘‘Mr. Lamotte, let me congratulate you; you have done well. This confirms my theory, and gives me something to start from when I reach the city. I shall
go now with a lizht heart, and a more than moderate hope of success.”’
‘‘Then your business here is about ac- complished?’ asked Francis.
‘‘It is accomplished, thanks to you. I would like,”’ glancing as he spoke, into his note book, ‘‘to talk this matter over with you further. It is possible I might see you again before leaving for the city. At present,’’ he broke off abruptly, and glunced at Constance.
‘*] understand,’’ laughed she nervously ; “at present you require my assistance about that list of jewels. Frank, you will remain here with Aunt Honor for a short time; she has, I think,something to say to you. We will go to the library, Mr. Belknap,”’ and she turned toward the door.
‘*Don’t hurry matters so, please,’’ ex- postulated Francis. ‘Let me say a little word to Mr. Belknap before you carry him off. His business here being so nearly cone, the necessity for extra cau- tion ceases. does it not? At least, it would not injure the cause if I carry him over to Mapleton to luncheon; will it, think you? You won't leave for the city before night, Mr. Belknap, I hope?’’
‘You are very good,’, said the de- tective, with some hesitation. ‘‘ But, if you please, we will renew this subject a little later; now, just excuse me,’’ and before the bewildered young man could raise his voice to intercept them, Con-
stance and Mr. Belknap had passed from the room, and he found himself alone with Mrs. Aliston. Turning to-
ward that lady, he was surprised at the look of intent pity she was bending on him, and, remembering the words of Constance, he came close beside her, say- ing :-—
“You had something to say to me, madam ?’’
‘*Yes, Frank,’’ he almost started upon hearing his name falling so gently from her lips. She was not used to familiarity in addressing him. ‘‘Prepare yourself to receive a shock, a terrible shock.’’ A look of uneasiness, but not of alarm, came over his countenance.
‘What is it?’’ he asked hastily. ‘‘Has Evan—done something worse than usual?’’
‘Not to my knowledge. It is not
Evan.’’
‘‘Not Evan, what then; tell me Mrs. Aliston,’’ his face becoming paler and paler.
‘*Frank, your sister has eloped!’’
He fell into the nearest chair, and limp.
**Go on,’’ he whispered hoarsely, lift- ing a haggard face toward her; ‘‘tell me —the worst, Mrs. Aliston.’’
‘‘She has eloped with John Burrill,’’ went on Mrs. Aliston,a shade of coldness in her voice. ‘‘They ran away on Satur- day afternoon.’’
Eitz head dropned forward and fell
white
THE
upon the table betore
moment he remained his vaice broke faint and hollow.
‘“*Is that—all—you can tell me?”’
‘*All! Yes!’’ exclaimed Mrs, Alictonina burst of nervousness. ‘‘I wis I h..d not told you so much. Frank don’t take it so hard.’’
He lifted his head, showing her a ghastly face and pale trembling lips.
‘Did Constance see Sybil? Does know—”’ he broke off abruptly and half rising from his chair, stretched out to her an imploring hand.
him. “hus for a motionless, then the stillness, sounding
she
‘*Mrs. Aliston,’’ he said hoarsely. ‘I must see Constance. I must. For God's sake send her to me, just for one mo-
ment,’’
‘*But—’’ began Mrs. <Aliston.
‘*I tell you I must see her,’’ he cried, with sudden fierceness. ‘‘I shall go to her if there is no other way.’’
Great drops of sweat stood out on his forehead ; once more he looked as he had two days before, when he stood alone un- der the trees of Wardour Place, after his parting with Constance.
Seeing that look upon his face, Mrs. Aliston went slowly towards the door.
“I will send Constance to you,’’ she said gently and went out, closing the door softly.
When he was alone the look upon Franeis Lamotte’s face became fierce and set. Springing to his feet he paced the floor like a mad man.
‘““That letter,’’ he hissed, ‘‘that ac- cursed letter, what has it told? I must know! I must know the worst! blind fool that I was to let my own hand bring this about. Oh! this is horrible! Am I lost or—’’
Suddenly he seemed to recollect him- self and dropping into a chair he buried his passion-distorted face in his-arms and £0 awaited the coming of Constance.
He had not long to wait; soon his lis- tening ear caught the gentle opening and closing of the door, and then he felt a light hand upon his arm, and a sweet pitying voice said: ‘*Poor Frank, poor bey, don’t let this overcome you so.’’
One hand reached up and clasped the soft hand that rested on his arm, but he did not lift his head, as he said broken- ly :-—
‘*Tell me the worst, Constance.’’
‘‘Why, Frank! the worst is told.’’
‘*But,’’ his hand tightened its clasp, *‘you know more than she has told me.’’
‘‘No, Frank, nothing more.”’
He lifted his pale face again.
‘*Constance—that !stter.”’
She started and flushed.
‘‘What letter, Frank?’’
‘You know,” his eyes scanning her face hungrily. ‘‘Her letter. The one lI brought you two days ago. What was it?’’
She drew away her hand.
‘It was a note of farewell, Frank. Nothing more.’’ ‘“‘Then she told you?’’ he gasped—
caught his lips between his teeth, and waited for her to finish the sentence.
‘She told me nothing, Frank. Oh, I wish she had.’’
He sprang up, overturning his chair in his hasty excitement.
‘‘Nothing!’’ he cried, nothing?’’
‘‘Absolutely nothing. The letter was an enigma. How strangely you act, Frank. I can’t understand you.’’
Slowly the life color returned to his cheeks and lips, as he answered, or stam- mered :-—
‘*Pardon me, Constance. I thought—I feared—I hoped there might be some ex- planation. I thought she must have given yeu some reason for so horribie a step. Are you sure there is no hint, no clue to help us?’’
‘‘Frank, listen: Sybil’s note explained nothing.
It only implored me not to think harshly of her, when I should know what she had done, and bade me fare- well. I could not comprehend its mean- ing until the news reached me that she had fled.’’
‘‘And you can not guess why she did this thing?’
44g?
He turned away, putting his hand up before his face, and uttering a groan.
Then he moved toward one of the French windows, pushed it open, and leaned out.
‘“‘T feel as if I were going mad,’’ he muttered. ‘‘Constance, pardon me; I must have the air. I must be alone to
‘she told you
‘think,and to face this—this disgrace that
has come upon us.”’ And he stepped through the open win- dow, gnd reeled rather than walked
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agown the steps, ane OUT AMUMT Tie trees.
Constance watchel him until the shrubbery hid him from view, and then, With a quick, nervous glance about the room, and out ut the windows, she went to the door which shut our tramp detec- tive from view, but not from hearing.
‘‘Come out,’’ she whispered, hurriedly. ‘*Now is your time to escape.’”’
He came out, shaking himself like a water dog.
““Uh!"" he exclaimed. one position too long.”’
‘*I am sorry,’’ began Constance.
‘‘Not for me,’’ he interrupted. ‘‘ Like mots listeners, I heard what I did uot bargain for; but—I have not heard too much. Miss Wardour, don’t reproach yourself, or Fate; that little extra hear- ing was a god-send. And now, let me out, quickly, before some one else clainrs your time.’’
She looked cautiously out into the hall then closed the dcor again.
“IT wish I could’ know your opinion regarding this business—all of it,’’ she said, wistfully. ‘‘I begin to feel helpless, like a rudderless mariner.”’
‘It’s a hard knot,’’ he said, going to- ward the door; ‘‘a very hard knot. But we will untie it, Miss Wardour, and then you will understand all these things. Now tell me, where is your detective go- ing next?’’
**I do not know.’’
‘“You must find ont,’’ imperatively.
“I think I can.”’
*‘And come to me in the garden.’’
‘Very well,’’ looking out once more. ‘““Your way is clear, sir; go straight to the kitchen entrance.’’
He passed out, and went his way, swiftly, quietly, and unobserved; and Constance returned to Mr. Belknap, and the completion of her jewel list.
“The combat deepens,’’ mused the tramp detective, as he paced slowly down the garden walk. ‘‘The plot thickens. I come for a catfish—I may catch a whale. Qh, what a knot; what a beautiful, de- lightful, horribly hard knot; and how my fingers itch to begin at it. But soft— easy; there is more to be tied in. Let us pay out the rope, and wait.”’
‘“T have been in
(To be Continued.)
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These Competitions will RULES, 1 Every month dur-
10 Stearns’ Bicycles EACH MONTH.
SECOND PRIzES— 25 Gold Watches EACH MONTH.
thiy dur- ing 1897, in each of
ee monthty Ray t the five districts, prizes will be ae ee ee WY boss awarded as follows:
net Pa: : 7. LA rag ||| j@mathe two competitors who send
in the largest numbers of cou- pons from the district in which they reside, will each receive, at winner's option, a lady's or gents Stearns’ Bicycle with y complete attachments.
The five competitors who
send in the next largest num- bers of from the dis-
Competitors to save a@
HOW TO
¥ trict in which they reside, will OBTAIN THEM, many,” Sun- each receive .at winner 8 opti, Wrappers as they can collect. eS may a gent’s Gold Watch,
Cut off the top portion of each wrapper—that portion contain- ing the heading “SUNLIGH
SOAP.” These (called “Cou- pons”) are to be sent enclosed with a shect of — on which §
MONTH IN
“* BICYCLES
VT) WATCHES
2. The competition will close the last day of each month during 1897. Coupons received too late for one month's com- a will be put into the nex
the competitor written his® !
or her full name and address, § ,
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competitor lives in. The dis- 7 a " SOAP. tricts are as follows:
NAME OF DISTFICT.
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4. A printed list of winners titor's district will be
Eastern Ontario, consisting PB aeinibend te C. Stearns S Counties Ontario, Muskoka - = y 7 +
Contin and i. cb duae ” een = ¥ “ at will endeavor to award the 3 Province of Quenes. makers, and has complete attachments. Lobe fairly to the best of 4 Province of New Brunewick. \; is unde
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