116 THI

cxamine and report on the treasure. That report being favourable, he had purchased it tor his lordship.

Therc was a brilliant gathering 1n what was called the * (rreen lap(sh Chamber of his lordship’s house. On the table was placed a small iron box, scaled with scals, and triply secured by means of iron bands and padlocks. All was cxcitement and cagerness to behold the new acquisition to the collection, which, it was now adnuitted, would be the most marvellous collection cver got together by one mndividual. With a great (Lcll of ceremony his lordszhip pro- ceeded (o break the se s, which were all

impressed with the stamp of the house of

Jeeheboy, Lalam, Goosh & Co. Then the tapes were cut, the padlocks undone, and the lid of the outer box duly O})Lnel In this box was another one, which was also locked and sealed ; and this being lifted out and placed on the table e, 1t was opened with the assembled company. In hox

this sccond was what might be described as the kernel ; it was a carved case of sandalwood, secured with ribbon, and also sealed. The ccals were broken, the Lid opencd, and, amidst the most intense cxcitement, the

stone was lifted out and placed on a bed of

spotless white wool, Taid on a silver salver. But instantly the countenances of all pre- sent fell, and there was @ general murmur of astonishment and disappointment ; for the stone that the people gazed upon appearcd to be nothing morc Than a com- mon, colourless pcbblg, such as nught be picked up on a sca beach. His l(ml.hip turned to Mr. Ashburton, and said—

“There is something wrong here, surely. What does this mean ? °

Ay God P oexclaimed Mr. Ashburton, who had become deadly pale, * the great cat’s eve has been stolen !

[t is far more casy to 1magine the con- srernation this exclamation caused than o deseribe it. Mro Ashburton was so over- come that he fainted, thereby adding to the confusion which Lhu startling (11\(0\&1\’ had caused. And Lord Middlew ick, apolo- gising to his guests for the unexpected denonenrent, despatched the following tele- gram to me —

“Come down here mmmediately. It necessary, engage a special train.”

This was done, and as soon as 1 reached the mansion, and my presence was an- nounced, his lords ship came hurriedly to me, and LOI](\ULtC(l me to his library. He

o a1

STRANT)

no less ceremony in the presence of

MNAGAZING

was evidently labouring under considerable cxcitement and distress.

He was a little, middle-aged man, with a most intellectual face, and small, keen grey cves that had a habit of fixing one, as it were. 2\s he shook me by the hand with that cordiality that was so characteristic of him, he said, with strong cmotion manifest- e atself m his voice—

1 have sent for vou, Donovan, as the only man [ know of who is ikely to be of service in this extraordimary case. 2\ stone of cnornious value—a great cat's-cye, for which T have paid an almost fibulous sum —hias been stolen.”

[le then proceeded to give me all the pqrticulzn\‘ as | have detailed them at the beginning of my story, and, when he had lml\hul amul me what my opinion was,

Y1 is curious,” T remarked thoughtfually.,

“Curious ! he echoed excitedly. 1t is something more than curious; it's one of the most extraordinary cases I've cever known, and scems to me to admit of but one solution.”

“And what 1s that, my

“Well —Ashburton open his the stone!

“You impute dishonesty to Ashburton, my lord 77 T remarked.

“In oplain words—yes.”

1 should like to scee Mro Ashburton”

His lordship rang the belly and a servant appeared.

el My Ashburton to come here, ' was the order that his lordship gave; and, when the servant had retired to execute the command, I turncd to Lord Middlewick, and sard—

“ 1 must ask

y lord 77 T asked. can, 1f he hikes to tell us what has become of

you, my lord; to leave the

room during my interview with o My, Ashburton.” [lis Tordship did not seem very well

pleased ; hut irueeing his shoulders, he remarked, Ohy very ke,

A few mmutu later, M. Ashburton came m. He o was a vory gentlemanly, quict- looking man, with a [rank, open coun- tenance that lmmull telv mmpressed me his favour. Ile was extraordinarily pal., and looked worried and anxious. e scemed a little surprised at secing me-—u stranger to him—in the room, and said 1n a ~omewhat confused way—

“ T thought Lord Middlewick was hf’er-\:."

• No, he has retived by my uquu

“Indeed ;o and may | what name 12 7

ask VOUr