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THE JEWELLLED SKUILL.

By Dick Doxovay,

Author of *“ The AMan [rom lanchester,” Tracked to Doon,” * Caught al Last,” “ 1Uho Poisoned Ity Lancan,” 4 Detectiods Triumphs,” in the Grip of the Lazo,” &, &

USILY engaged one morning in my ofhice in trying to solve some knotty problems that called for my carnest atten- tion, [ was suddendy disturbed by a knock at the door, and,

- answer to my “ Come in!" one of my

assistants - entered, although T had given

strict orders that T was not to be disturbed for two hours.

“ Fxcuse me, sir,” said my man, “ but a gentleman wishes to see yvou, and will take no denial.”

“ 1 thought T told vou not to disturb me under any circumstances,” I replicd, some- what tartly.

“Yes, so vou did. insists upon =eeing vou. noss 13 most urgent.,”

“Whois he? "

“ Here 1s his card, sir)

['glanced at the card the assistant handed to me. It bore the name—

But the gentleman He says his busi-

)

Coroxrrn Mauricr ObelLL. The Star and Garter (ub.

Colonel Maurice Odell was an utter stranger to me. | had never heard his name before ; but 1 knew that the Star and Grarter Club was a club of the highest rank, and that its members were men of position and eminence. T therctore considered it probable that the Colonel's business was likely, as he said, to be urgent, and I told my assistant to show him in.

A few mimmutes later the door opened, and there entered atally thin, wirv-looking man, with an unmistakable military bearing. Ihs face, clean shaved save for heavy grev moustache, was tanned with exposure to sun and ram. His hair, which was cropped close, was iron grey, as were his cycbrows, and as they were very bushy, and there were two deep vertical furrows between the eyes, he had the appearance of being a sterng determined, unyiclding man. And as T glanced at his well-marked face, with its powerful jaw, I came to the con- cluston that he was a martinet of the old- fashioned typey who, n the name of discipline, could perpetrate almost any cruclty ; and vet, on the other hand, when not under military influence, was capable ol the most gencerous acts and deeds. Tle was faultlessly dressed, from his patent leather boots to his canarv-colourcd kid oloves. But though, judeging from his dress he was somewhat of a coxcomb, a elance at the hard, stern features and the keen, deep-set grey eyes, was sullicient to dispelany idea that he was a mere carpet soldicr,

“ Pardon me for intruding upon vou, Mr. Donovan,” he said, bowing stiffly and form- allyy = but I wish to consult you about a verv o mmportant matter, and, as 1 leave for [igvpt to-morrow, [ have very little time at my disposal.”

" 1am at vour service, Colonel," T replied, as I pointed to a scat, and began to fecl a