ils
which must be the prelude to all intelligent action.

The morning's report stopped with the explanations given by Mr. Durand
of the appearances against him. Consequently no word appeared of the
after events which had made such an impression at the time on all
the persons present. Mr. Grey was mentioned, but simply as one of the
guests, and to no one reading this early morning issue would any doubt
come as to the genuineness of the diamond which, to all appearance, had
been the leading motive in the commission of this great crime.

The effect on my own mind of this suppression was a curious one. I began
to wonder if the whole event had not been a chimera of my disturbed
brain--a nightmare which had visited me, and me alone, and not a fact to
be reckoned with. But a moment's further thought served to clear my mind
of all such doubts, and I perceived that the police had only exercised
common prudence in withholding Mr. Grey's sensational opinion of the
stone till it could be verified by experts.

The two columns of gossip devoted to the family differences which had
led to the separation of Mr. and Mrs. Fairbrother, I shall compress into
a few lines. They had been married three years before in the city of
Baltimore. He was a rich man then, but not the multimillionaire he is
to-day. Plain-featured and without manner, lie was no mate for this
sparkling coquette, whose charm was of the kind which grows with
exercise. Though no actual scandal was ever associated with her name, he
grew tired of her caprices, and the conquests which she made no endeavor
to hide either from him or from the world at large; and at some time
during the previous year they had come to a friendly understanding
which led to their living apart, each in grand style and with a certain
deference to the proprieties which retained them their friends and an
enviable place in society. He was not often invited where she was, and
she never appeared in any assemblage where he was expected; but with
this exception, little feeling was shown; matters progressed smoothly,
and to their credit, let it be said, no one ever heard either of them
speak otherwise than considerately of the other. He was at present out
or town, having started some three weeks before for the southwest, but
would probably return on receipt of the telegram which had been sent
him.

The comments made on the murder were necessarily hurried. It was called
a mystery, but it was evident enough