CHAPTer IX.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13745, 7 September 1908, Page 6

CHAPTer IX.

(s What can We Do to Save Her '

On the one htuul the diamond <h;,i;,'| upon the table, on the other Anne passionate, almost incoherent, protestof innocence. Dan Gairct looked lion the trinket to the woman, and lionthe woman luck to the proof ot Ikm guilt. 4 , •■It \om are innocent. MKs Basset, said Brown. drily, "perhaps von wii. explain how the chain came to be in your possession. You brought n with you — 1 supple jou won't de>v that :■""' '•J don't deny it. J cahie here w.tl the chain directh 1 discovered 1 had it Oh, don't "look .so unbelieving if 1 meant to s-teal th" chain why '!!<! 1 tling it on the table? Thieves don't act on hu}) ulse." "Still you don't tell us how it io"n<l its way to your--poeket shall we sai i "The chain was droiM" •' " Uo "»>' Vim ' brella," she said, flushing, "yesterday aiternoon at the dub. 1 did not kiiow I had it until tins morning, not ai. hour ago, when the man I sa# here last night — Jack Easter, he said, wathis name — came to my lodgings, accused me of having stolen the eh.' in and opening my umbrella "discovered ii inside. How did he know it was there .- Because." she Jieut forward, fixing lie; eyes on Brown, 'because he put it there!" ""What possible- object — " commenced the journalist . Anne intertupicl him. "The manY n thief." she answcied "I saw him yesterday afternoon in Hi< marquee tin the terrace at the club. He was sitting nevt to Lady Minnie Scott, his arm around her waist in such a position that without her knowing or teeing, l" v was able to unfasU'ii the clasp of 'the chain and slip it from her neck into his pocket." "Why didn't \ou say this yesterday?" asked Dan." speaking tor the first time. "How should I know the man's character, or what he was going to do? It seemed to me, warching from the Gardens, they were a pair of sweethearts. He might have been playing her a trick ; lovers do Mich things," she added with a quick Hush. "Have you told Easter what you say jou saw in mi the Gardens?" questioned Brown. "Not hkely. Why should I *><vy< away my cwY Besides " mk p.uised —"I ban fitherte stormy int'r view," .she said, colouring; "he threatened, it I did not give him the chain to send lor Hi' 1 police and hare me :ir rested tor the murder ol the dead mai, in the broutrhjuu. I don't know* iu>\\ h" guessed Fisher was in " th" brougham," she added. "Am! how did you defeat his amiable intentions?" Brown was interested in tho woman, despite, his suspicion;, oJ her. Anne faltered. "I — I threw a glass of water in hi.^ face," she said. "It hit him— tliV glass I mejin. nvd cut him badly. I'u, afraid. By tin* time lie lecovered ti'uii the shock 1 was nut ot the house." "You're a formidable antagonist, Mi-> Basset," said Charrington, smiling. ".* woman who can throw sti night is to b( feared." "Do you believe in* 1 ; do you believe what 1 say is true.'' That 1 <!i( l not steal the chain?" She spoke to C'harringtou. but % i eyes turned to Dan, standing moodiiv by the window. "One moment." Garret suddei.h moved Jorwui'l. "What a c you jjo'ir. 1 to do in reg.'-r 'to this:" lie niotien'ni to the chain. "There's i,nly one thing to be dene it seems to in:." she auswred. "1 shaH take the eh;'in direct to La l.« Minnie, mid explain to her Inn. <-i,< where I iound it." D.\n drew a sharp brc.t h. a look c! iclief on his i;rown face.

(To bo continued.)