The Argosy — page 298: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Amethyst Seal. 279 ‘Show him in here,” said Harold, promptly. ‘‘Some messenger from the office, I suppose,” he remarked to Bruce. ‘I hope to good- ness they don’t want me back before my holidays are over.” But when the ‘‘ person” entered, although he was dressed in plain clothes, Harold at once recognised him as one of the two policemen who had examined his rooms after the robbery. He carried a black bag in one hand. ‘Good afternoon, Mr. Dare,” said the man, with that air of respect- ful familiarity which his class know so well how to assume when it pleases them to do so. ‘‘ But perhaps you don’t recollect me, sir?” he added. “Oh, yes, I recollect you well enough,” answered Harold, as he proceeded to chalk the end of his cue. ‘“'That’s all right then, sir. You will be pleased to hear that we have caught the rascal who broke into your rooms. On searching him we found a number of pawn tickets, and on going round to the various pawnbrokers, among a list of property stolen from other people, we found nearly all the articles specified in the list which you made out and gave to me. The man was up before the magistrate this morning and remanded for a week; and if you identify the articles contained in this bag as your property, you will be required to appear at Bow Street at two o’clock on Wednesday morning next to swear to that fact.” : “ Allright,” answered Harold, who had taken advantage of the break in the game to light a fresh cigar. ‘‘ And now let us see what you have in the bag.” The constable opened his bag and brought out the articles it con- tained one by one. Each article.was wrapped in a separate piece ot paper which he proceeded to unfold, ranging the stolen property in a row along the table as he did so. ‘There was the big, old-fashioned watch, there was the diamond and pearl brooch, there was the amethyst seal, together with sundry rings and other trinkets. Harold glanced his eye over the row. “Yes,” said he; ‘‘they are mine, all of them, and I am prepared to swear that they were stolen from my rooms on the night of the 12th instant.” ) “That is all we require you to do, sir,” said the officer. Bruce Wenlock, who was standing by, took up the old watch and examined it, and then took up the amethyst seal. ‘The afternoon was waning rapidly by this time, and he carried the seal to the window that he might have a better view of it. Neither of the others noticed the start he gave a moment or two later. Then he laid a hand on the window-sill as if to steady himself. Presently he went back to the table and laid down the seal without a word, after which he returned to the window and stood as before with his back to the room and its inmates. | | A minute or two later the constable, having first been duly tipped by Harold, took his leave, carrying his bag and its contents with him. GONG OO SS (CO) am