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THE PURPLE CURTAIN, I

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THE PURPLE CURTAIN, I BY FRED M. WHITE. PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS AND INCIDENTS. I JOHN DUGDALE. who has seen life in South I Africa, and who is down on his luck. PAUL QUEJSTIN, a mysterious personage. G REN ADOS. Quentin's secretary. RACHEL VARNA, an expert in Oriental china, who takes a great interest in Antonio Bassano. MARY PEARSON, of Silverdale. admired by Dugdale. DR. HARPER, family physician at Silver- dale. DR. PRINCE, a pseudo-doctor. LORD PASSMORE. a connoisseur of china. THEO ISIDORE, a financier, and proprietor of the Marlborough Magazine." ANTONIO BASSANO, an artist, and an un- willing tool in Quentin's hands. SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. I jjiigaaie dines at the Blenheim Hotel on j an invitation purporting to come from, Theo Isidore, an acquaintance, who doell not turn up. Dugdale Has no money, but presently received help from another dinar. He learns his rescuer is Paul Quentin. Later he is refused an interyiew with Quentin, but sees Grenadus. who bears a resemblance to his chief, and who offers Dugdale a handsome reward if he finds the Dragon Vase. Rachael Varna tells him that the ya3e has a flaw in the cover. Dugdale discovers her home, with her father, a dealer in antiques. Rachel warns Dudale against Quentin. He sets out to; find a place called Silverdale. where in the drawing-room is a lady, Mary Pearson, and a man addressed by her as Dr. Prince. who appears to be a lunatic. He explains to Dugdale he has come in place of Dr. Har- per. A terrific fight ensues, with the result that Prince i bound with cords. In the adjoining room Dugdale comes upon a young man, dressed as a livery ser- vant, to all appearances, dead. On a stand near the window is the Dragon Vase. He consults with Mary Pearson about getting medical assistance, when. happily, Dr. Har- per arrives. He tells them that Prince is j not his friend but a total stranger. Prince is locked np in a bedroom, but Dugdale has a suspicion that Miss Pearson could With his fingers pressed to his eyes and staggering slightly. I have told more of the spurious doctor. Mary Pearson and Dugdale. walking in the park after dinner, observe two men in the grounds of an adjoining house, whom Mary informs him are I>ord Passmore (the owner) and Mr. Theo Isidore, the latter of whom she dislikes. They meet, and Isidore tries to degrade Dugdale in Mary's eyes. Late at night another Dr. Prince calls and says that his friena, Dr, Harper's dogcart had collided with a motor-car. Subsequently Isidore and Passmore call to view a picture in the library, where the latter sees the Dragon Vase, and declares it is a forgery. After the visitors have left Dugdale hears the sound of smashing glass. In the con- servatory he finds a mall-Hrenadns, with a. cnt on his face, who explains that he was on his way to visit Lord Passmore, but in the dark had lost his way. Dugdale follows him. and on the road-side over- hears a conversation with Bassano (whom he had previously seen as a workman in Varna's shop). Returning to Silverdale. Dugdale finds that the lunatic. Prince, has escaped by way of the conservatory. Next morning Mary Pearson introduces to Dug- dale a Miss Maria, in whom he recognises a likeness to the young servant who was injured. Mary tells hirc t iat Miss Marna is an old friend whom she had not seen for two yea". Lord Pnnjmore again calls, and to pro--t- to Dugda'.e that the Dragon Vale is a i'crgery, says he will bring over the maker vf it-Antonio Bassano. Dugdale discovers tnat Miss Marna is none other than Rachel Varna. She tells him that a great wrong is about to be perpetrated. and that she is there to set it right. She also urges him to go and see Bassano. Dugdale accepts an invitation from Lord Passmore to stay at his house, and there meets Bassano, who is doing some work for Lord Passmore. A card is brought in, on which is the name Paul Quentin." Bas- sano, in a passionate outburst, implores Lord Passmore to serrd him away. afr he knows something of the man. Lord Pass- more takes Dugdale with him to interview Quentin, who states that he wishes to buy some diamonds belonging to Lady Sunning dale, for whom Lord Passmore is acting as agent. Quentin. on hearing that Bassano is there, wishes to see him. Bassano gives him a murderous look when he enters his workroom. Quentin. picking up the lirl of a large vase, asks him if it is his work. Bassano acknowledges it as his, and says it is for a customer, who has lost the lid of a valuable va,o, and that he intends post- ing it in a pillar-box close by. Dugdale forms the theory that Bassano has not posted the jar lid. but has hidden it. He. therefore, goes fishing in the lake, where he sees a cork bobbing on the water. Making a cast towards it, presently from the depths comes up a round object, which turns out to be the jar lid. At dinner Dugdale appears to be very clumsy in opening a bottle, and a cascade of the fluid trickles .demo- Quentin s face. As if by magic. an ugly blue and yellow scar stands out on his right temple. CHAPTER XXVII. CONFIRMATION. I am really very sorry." Dugdale said with a fine appearance of confusion. I can't think how I was so clumsy. I hope I dirh(t hurt him." "Oh. I don't think so," Passmore remarked cheerfully. I didn't notice anything wrong. It might have happened to any- body." So far, so good," Dugdale thought. It was evident that Passmore had not noticed the discoloured scar upon Quentin's temple, but Dugdale had, and the scheme he had devised on the spur of the moment had proved quite successful. His suspicions were confirmed, and he knew how to act. A minute or two later Quentin came smiling back into the room. There was not the slightest sign of anger or annoyance on his face. He accepted Dugdale's apologies with a graceful wave of his hand. It is not worth speaking about, my dear fellow." he said. "There is not the least necessity to distress yourself." The speaker vve it on to tall. about other matters, and as Dugdale glanced at Quentin he saw that all trace of the ugly scar had vanished. The skin was as smooth and clear as it had been before the accident. Dugdale was no longer puzzled, and knew where he stood He understood precisely what had happened, lie felt he could afford to spend the rest of the evening watching the development of events. He was curious also to see Lady Sunuingdale's historic gems, and wondered whether Quentin would pur- chase them or not. He strolled behind the other two as they entered the billiard room. By-and-bye Passmore produced from his pocket some shabby green cases. "I hope your safe is a good one," Quentin laughed. "Jt would be awkward if thieves got in during the night and stole the dia- monds. Are they insured?" "Not nearly for their full value," Passmore said. "But if there is to be any awkwardness it will tell against you not me, for I trust yon will buy these gems and take them into your keeping." "Nothing of the kind," Quentin said, good- naturedly. "You will find me much too keen a business man to transact matters in that way. I may purchase the gems-indeed, I think that there is little doubt -that I shall do so. But before I accept any responsi- bility they must be delivered to me at my backers to-morrow. I throw the onus upon your shoulders till the transaction is com- pleted. That's fair," Passmore exclaimed. But I am not afraid. I defy the most expert burglar to get into my safe within twenty- four hours. And I always keep the key on my watch-chain." As Passmore spoke. he touched an object hanging from his guard. Perhaps it was only fancy on Dugdale's part. but he thought that Quentin's eyes dilated peculiarly and that a significant smile played upon his lips. But Quentin pursued the subject no further. He drew the cases towards him and began to dilate upon the beauty of the stones. He made, no effort to chea.pen them and tried to drive no bargain, and when Passmore quoted an enormous price he merely nodded his head as if the figure were what he had expected. Plainly, he was an expert in such matters, for he handled the diamonds fami- liarly and held them up so that they might display their best effects. Then after along and careful scrutiny he laid the beautiful stones on the table and stretched out his hand for a fresh cigarette. "It is a big deal," ne said. "but on the whole. I am inclined to agree. The stones are honestly worth the money, and you may take it that I will buy. But there ,is one stone in this necklace which I don't like the look of. It imiy be fancy, but I believe it has a flaw in W. Look and see for yourself." Passmore applied a microscope to, the stone and shook his head vigorously. "Nothing of the kind," be said. "The stone I is as pure as the rest. It has not been tam- pered with." "Well. perhaps not"—Quentin carelessly conceded the point-but I should like to be certain. Mr. Dugdale. would you mind going to the dining-room, and fetching me a wine- glassful of water? I want to make a test." Dugdale complied none too willingly. He had his own reasons for wishing to remain where he was. He came back presently with a glass in his hand and saw Passmore stand- ing v ith his fingers pressed to his eyes and staggering slightly. Is anything the matter?" he asked anxiously. "I don't think so." Passmore said vaguely. "1 came over faint for a moment. I don't remember having such a sensation before. I suppose it was the glass of port I had after dinner. The doctor told me to give it up. and upon my word I think he is right. But I am myself again." Pa icraor8 spoke in his usual cheery tone of voice, and Dugdale let the incident pass. Nevertheless, he glanced keenly at the dia- monds on the table until he was satisfied that no trickery had been attempted. He had lost no time in going to and returning from the dining-room. Perhaps he had been too quick to permit Quentin to carry out any scheme he had in view. The diamonds lay shimmering and sparkling as Quentin pro- ceeded to go through some formula of his own with the aid of a glass of water. He turned with an apology to Passmore. Yo i are right, and I am altogether wrong," he said. There is nothing the matter with the diamond. One gets those ideas in one's head sometimes. Will you lock them up in your safe? You can consider the deal as settled, and if you bring the stones to town to-morrow I'll exchange my cheque. Well, what is it? Have you something for ¡ me?" A footman entered the billiard-room and ¡ handed Quentin a visiting card on the back of which a few pencilled wqfds were scribbled. He read them with a gesture of annoyance, though Dugdale noticed that he was careful to slip the piece of pasteboard in his pocket. "What a nuisance! he exclaimed. "I was looking forward to spending a pleasant even- ing, and now I find I must leave without  delay. My secretary Grenadus has met with an accident. He was motoring to Hareneld to meet me and came to grief on the way." i "I am sorry to hear that," Passmore said. r "I hope it will prove nothing very serious." "The doctor who sent his card doesn't say. But I must go. Please ring for my man and ask him to bring the car round as soon as possible." Dugdale listened with mixed feelings. With the knowledge he had acquired he could not make out this last development at all. He would have given much for a proper grasp of the situation, but that was out of the ques- tion. The diamonds were in Passmore's pocket, but Dugdale did not feel easy till he knew that they were locked in the safe. He sat chatting on indifferent subjects with his host until he deemed it prudent to lead up I to his point. "You are feeling yourself, now?" he asked. Passmore looked at the speaker inquiringly. "What do you mean?" he said. "Oh. I I understand. That little turn of indisposi- tldh? Oh, that was nothing. It was rather alarming for the moment because I am usually so fit. I was bending over the stones. looking at them, when I suddenly reeled backwards. I believe I should have fallen if Quentin hadn't caught me. I know it was cnly for a few seconds that I lost conscious- ness. because I grasped both the beginning and end of a sentence he was speaking. But it has quite gone now. The attack only jus- tifies the doctor. I shall have to give up port. That will be a nuisance, for it is the only wine that I care for." Dugdale murmured what sounded like sym- pathy. He had his own ideas on the subject, but it was not wise to produce them. He I went on to talk of the doubt which Quentin had thrown on one of the jewels, and men- tioned casually that the key on Passmore's watch-chain was a small one for so large and ponderous a safe. I should have thought it too soft." he said. A gold key must be liable to get out of order." If it were really gold it probably would," Passmore replied. But. you see. it is gilt. lou can feel the edges for yourself. Try it." As Dugdale expected, the key was greasy and sticky, as if wax or some such substance had been applied to it. (TO BE CONTINUED TO-MORBOW.)

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