The Riddle of the Purple Emperor

fact of the murder. Its presence was also speedily accounted for, owing to the information garrulously volunteered by Mrs. Malone. It appeared that "Madame" had been in the service of the Hono

sn't 'appy enough-- Still, it's a man wot's

asked Cleek, to whom she

one bit

speaking the black word against anybody, but s

at? What d

wn on the river somewhere, I don't exactly know where, but poor 'Madame' was bred and born there, and loved the place like 'ome. This man was always a coming in, after he spotted that dratted photograph there. Talk, talk, talk

is inquiries? He could find no answer to his mental queries, and eventually he was obliged to own himself beaten. But that in nowise prevented his taking the impression of the finger-prints on the dagger with which the grim deed had been perpetrated. The case was left in the hands of the jury with the result that the

in Craven Street, W. Once in London Miss Cheyne had shown an amazing knowledge of its thoroughfares and shopping centres, despatching the girl, in the company of Aggie, on delightful expeditions that sent the child, for she was l

for dissatisfaction, and that was the

rth on another whirl of purchasing. "Aggie hasn't an atom of taste, you know. She would cheerfully let me bu

manded Miss Cheyne. "I li

he darkest and dowdiest combinations of gray or black tha

her words had produced. "Don't forget that we have an appointment with the solicitors thi

aret laug

y will like giving them

stopped to stare skyward at the Nelson monument. So absorbed was she that she did not see

me spoken in glad, joyous tones fell on her ears

e child. "Isn't this just wonderful; meeting you like this? Why

she led him round till they fo

young face with his eyes. "I've fairly haunted the grounds of Cheyne Court but didn't dare to face your old

looked at hi

seems queerer than ever. But, Edgar, what do you think, she says my

you tackled her-you brave darling. I won

ry you," she said, shaking her fair head, "but she said

r cheek," retorted Sir Edgar. "But I'm hanged if I can understand it, f

aughed aloud in

said she. "She can keep the old jewels if she lik

heeks until Sir Edgar, impetuous young man that he was, gave a hasty look round at the practicall

hing deeper than ever, had reproved him for

id old lawyers," she responded, laughing, as she surveyed Aggie's broad figure

re going to be mad enough to take the Cheyne jewels ba

n it and I don't care so long as she lets me see you. I really must

, jumping to his feet. "I won't let y

she's a new servant of Auntie's and I can see she is getting cross. I will get back, and when we return

ugh the ardent young lover watched the figure of the girl he loved run lightly ac

r a gruff remark about the waste of time, Miss Cheyne was apparently content to waive her dislike of the Brenton family. The girl was too elated at this

Cheyne was curiously subdued, and her mi

oned gentleman who shook hands with the ladies and congratulated La

tions of removing all the precious heirlooms do

l thief in Europe will be after them, don't you agree with me, Miss

from one who had been so intensely insistent on their removal it

e heard her aunt

, for I have had special safes made to hold them and they can be r

entirely at Lady Margaret's disposal, and if she has made up her mind to have them, well, I suppose a wilful young woman mus

e. "Now, Margaret, speak up, and don't act

ubtless be vented upon her should she speak out, was impelled to an

the cases out of the safe wherein they had been

t ill-fated pendant, I ho

s will know of their removal from here, and I promise you they will come to no harm. You see," she whispered, "I

a little sigh of the futility of argument with

eyne insisted on being driven to Waterloo Station. If the cabman had but known what he was handling, a bag, cheap b

was curiously elated. She talked and chuckled over her own jokes till the girl felt glad that it had given her so much pleasure to gaze on the family jewels

r Edgar Brenton who had travelled down by the same train. His eyes met Lady M

oubt as she saw the ill-concealed maliciousness upon his face, and

are tired, and Lady Margaret would li

eady vanished. Depressed and filled with sore f

ke a nervous cat!" she said to herself. "I don't care what Auntie

llroom whence issued sounds of uproarious laughter. And the sight which met her eyes filled her with unspeakable horror. One illuminating

ese dreadful people who laughed, joked, and drank

else in her mad desire to break away from this house forever, she

entry into the ballroom had been noticed by the occupants. They had stopped

ly just in time to see the figure of the woman he loved struggling in the arms of a servant before she was dragged back and lo