The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-03-22

the safe, and he Is as anxious as / am to
have me solve the mystery by the recov-
cry Of the precious jewel"
SO far 30 good Now then you have
servants, of course 20
Eyes, six-two men, boy, and three
females"
"You do not suspect any of them 2"
How can /, when no one knows the
combination of my safe lock besides
myself"
"It is mysterious affair."" said I,
"and ] can get no clue from anything
| you tell me. To make q start In the
matter, 1t might be necessary for me to
be an inmate of your house for few
days, and even that might amount to
nothing"
" l would like to try anything that
would promise even the shadow of
hope" he anxiously rejoined, with an
air of depression.
"Then suppose become your guest
for few daysp" suggested.
"If you will"
"But not as an officer--not In my real
character" / proceeded. "You must
introduce me as friend of yours, just
come to town-say William Perkins,
from Boston-and not even your wife
must know to the contrary"
"Very well-I will arrange 1t, and to
morrow, at three o'clock, L will meet
and escort you home to dinner. But Is
1t not possible that some one will rec
ognize you"
9" 1 will take care of that" 1 an
swered.
We arranged the place Of meeting at a
certain hotel, and was there q little
before the time, disguised in manner
satisfactory to myself.
Mr.. George Howell, the gentleman in
question, appeared according to appoint
ment, but saw at glance that he did
not recognize me. He took seat facing
the door, and let him remain some
minutes over the time. Then / took a
seat near him, and made some casual
remark about the weather. He seemed
uneasy, and not inclined for converse
ton; and casually remarked that
was waiting for Mr.. Carbon, we'll
known detective, who had promised to
meet me here at that hour. He turned
and scrutinized me closely, and then
observed:
81 know the gentleman by sight !;
and 1t is little strange, If you have an
appointment with him, that he fails to
keep it,"
You are also expecting him, l be-
lieve ?" remarked.
"Why do you think that ?" he asked
in surprise.
Because am James Carbon, alias
William Perkins," smiled.
He started up, exclaiming:
"Cleverl very clever indeed should
never have guessed it. Come, let us
go!
For three days 1 was an honored
guest in the mansion of Mr.. Howell ;
and during that time I closely studied
every inmate, got all the minutest de-
tails from my host concerning every
thing wished to know, and then took
my departure in an open and formal
manner, without leaving suspicion be-
hind that 1 was other than I seemed
1 then set my agents to work among the
pawnbrokers of the city; and the day
before that fixed upon for the wedding
of the Honorable Godfrey Percy and
Miss Virginia Howell, called upon the
brother of the latter and handed him
his missing ring.
"Good heavens !" he exclaimed, fairly
clutching it in his excited eagerness; it
is, indeed the coveted prize! Where
did you find it ?'
cat pawnbroker's."
"Then it was really stolen 2"
"Yes.''
And have you any surmise concern
ing the thief"
"Who is hep"
C did not say it was a man."
"Perhaps for your own peace of
mind, you had better never know"
hesitated
He turned deadly pale and trembled.
6 1 understand you |" he gasped shut
even though the purloiner be my second
self, must have the truth from you.-
1t was my own wife, then ?"
"No, it was not your wife,"
"Ah, thank God for that at least ?"
he cried, with great sigh of relief
Ha my sister ?"
"No, it was not your sister,"
"Who then Now speak without
! fear I"
% Won will hava IL ~