The Jewel of Seven Stars

ns in t

sh step in the logic of things, but as something expected. It is in such a wise that memory plays its pranks for good or il

er merging into that drowsy hum in whose sufficing environment the great world with its disturbing trouble, and its more disturbing joys, can be effectually forgotten. Again, in that blissful solitude the young girl lost the convention of her prim, narrow upbringing, and told me in a natural, dreamy way of the loneliness of her new life. With an undertone of sadness she made me feel how in that spacious home each one of the household was isolated by the personal magnificence of her father and herself; that there confidence had no altar, and sympathy no shrine; and t

avalanche; the hissing of sudden floods; the clanging of the engine bell marking its sweep through a sleeping American town; the clanking of distant paddles over the sea.... Whatever it is, it is breaking

took in the cause of the disturbing sounds. Waking existence is prosaic

editation, out of bed. Instinctively I looked at my watch. It was just three o'clock; there was a faint edging of grey round the green blind which darkened my room. It was evident that the knocking and ringing were at the door of our own house; and it was evident, too, that there was no one awake to answer the call. I slipped on my dressing-gown and slippers, and went down to the hall door. When I opened it there stood a dapper groom, with one hand pressed

imperative; I was not to lose a moment, but to knock and ring till

. Malcol

r you, sir, and the bro

ing sudden demands upon my time; but never anything like this. I stepped back into the hall, closing the door to, but leaving it ajar; then I

y. An attempt has, I fear, been made to murder my Father; though, thank God, he still lives. But he is quite unconscious. The doctors and police have been sent for; but there is no one here whom I can depend

ught was that she was in trouble and had called on me-me! My dreaming of

th you in a minute!"

e got out on Piccadilly there was an endless stream of carts coming from the west; but for the rest the roadway was clear, and we went quickly. I had told th

was ready she come herself and gave me the letter and told Morgan-the coachman, sir-to

hat I want to know is, why she sent

room senseless, with the sheets all bloody, and a wound on his head.

m at such an hour? It was la

didn't hear nothing

s which I could have asked the servant; and for a few moments after he had gone I was angry with myself for not having used my opportunity. On second thought, however, I was

presently stopped opposite a great house on the left-hand side, nearer, so far as I could judge, the Notting Hill than the Kensington end of the avenue. It was a tru

In the great hall were several servants, the men standing together near the hall door, and the women clinging together in the further corners and doorways. A police superintendent had been talking to Miss

you woul

ost in my own. It was not that it was a small hand; it was fine and flexible, with long delicate fingers-a rare and beautiful hand; it was t

aid to the polic

ss." The police officer

f working with him in the Brixton Coining case." I had not at first glance

tanceship seemed a relief to Miss Trelawny. There was a certain vague uneasiness in her manner which took my attention;

of course, have already heard all she knows; and I shall understand better how thing

f what service I can, si

ned from the hall and looked out on the garden at the back of th

coming to me in my trouble; but at present

are no detail, however trivial it may at the

grey of the dawn, I hear him still moving. I tried once to remonstrate with him about staying up so late, as it cannot be good for him; but I never ventured to repeat the experiment. You know how stern and cold he can be-at least you may remember what I told you about him; and when he is polite in this mood he is dreadful. When he is angry I can bear it much better; but when he is slow and deliberate, and the si

light, and stepped into the room. I looked first at the bed. The sheets were all crumpled up, so that I knew Father had been in bed; but there was a great dark red patch in the centre of the bed, and spreading to the edge of it, that made my heart stand still. As I was gazing at it the sound of the breathing came across the room, and my eyes followed to it. There was Father on his right side with the other arm under him, just as if his dead body had been thrown there all in a heap. The track of blood went acr

shed to relieve her by a moment'

ondemn a man to death, and the wrist of the hand he held up had a gold bangle." She did not seem to heed m

elp as loudly as I could. In what must have been a very short time-though it seemed an incredibly long one to me-some of the servant

d to have cut into the vein. Mrs. Grant tied a handkerchief round the cut, and screwed it up tight with a silver paper-cutter; and the flow of blood seemed to be checked at once. By this time I had come to my senses-or such of them as remained; and I sent off one man for the doctor and another for the police. When they had gone, I felt that, except for the serva

think she understood, for her eyes were raised to mine for a moment and then fell, leav

here running. He made a proper tourniquet for poor Father's arm, and then went home to get some appliances. I dare say he will be back

nstant. Without a word more we opened the door, and joined the S

hat was odd about the case that I thought we had better have the best man of the Criminal Investigation Department that we could

times by his skill and acumen. He has a mind that works as truly as any that I know. When I ha

endent gratified: "I am glad you approve of m

ered h

t that between you we shall get at

m, where we found everything exac

he had a black bag which he at once opened. Miss Trelawny introduced us: "Doctor Winchester, Mr. Ross, Superintendent Dolan." We bowed mutually, and he, without a moment's delay, began his work. We all waited, and eagerl

ginning on the left side of the wrist and i

instrument. This in particular would seem as if made with some kind of

s Trelawny he

ll fall lower on the wrist where it can hang loosely; but it might add to the patie

ow so little of his life or his ideas that I fear I can hardly judge in such

Your Father doubtless has some object in keeping it as it is. See! there is a tiny key attached to it...." As he was speaking he stopped and bent lower, taking from my hand the candle which I held and lowering it till its light fell on the b

ught over triple steel links; see where it is worn away. It is manifestly not me

bangle minutely, turning it slowly round so that no particle of it escaped observation. Then he stood up and handed the magnifying-glass to m

s suggestion. I held out the gla

She drew back, slightly raising her han

e it. I would not like to without his consent." Then she added, doubtless

t. You have to examine and consider everythi

ther; and that her ignorance had to be shown at such a time and amongst so many strangers. That they were all men did not make the shame more easy to bear, though there was a certain

e Doctor, the latter resumed his place beside the couch and went on

, and was about to add something in praise of his