The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-09

not enabled my captlVe 10 escape. Ine
hall door was found open, and everything
Just as we had left it, the spare room door
still closed. By my orders, it was not to
be unlocked until the police arrived. Sever
al volunteers had hastened to summon them;
and while we were awaiting their arrival, l
had time to think little of the horror of
the position. How had Lady Dasent's
diamond necklace found its way into Alfred
Mauleverer's portmanteau Could ne be
some awful impostor, some villain in the
guise of gentleman, whom had meditat-
ed giving my niece? The shock would al
most kill Amy. Even | felt as if should
never get over it.
Who was the man? A dreadful tight
ness came over my heart when this ques-
ton presented itself, suspicion too horri-
| BILE.
1t made the suspense almost too terrible
I heard the policemen arrive, and while
they were ascending the stairs to the spare
bedroom 1 felt almost choked with an ap-
prehension for what I should next hear.
The door was unlocked, and there was the
thief. He made no resistance; the game
was up. Thanks to Ethe old woman" as |
heard him style me, he had missed the best
chance of clearing a fortune he had ever
had. Who was he Where had [ seen
him?
The mystery was soon explained. He
was the Dasents' magnificent head butler
one of gang, as it afterward was discover
ed-and who had, with the connivance of
his comrades, cleared off the plate, but
hoped to secure for his own private benefit
the famous diamonds. The fire had so far
upset their plans, that he had found him
self left in possession of the diamonds, when
his services came to be required in aiding
to extinguish the fire. In place of flight,
therefore, as he had at first intended, the
wary butler judged it best to let his confed-
crates make off with the plate, while he re-
mained with the diamonds in his possession
one of the most active in subduing the
flames, and suggesting the most feasible
schemes for discovering the thieves.
When the detectives came down to En-
field it became imperative upon him to hit
upon some safe place for the diamonds.
Mr.. Mauleverer was blessed with an over
abundant wardrobe, and during his visit to
Enfield this butler had chosen to consider
him under his particular care, laying out
his clothes, arranging and settling things
generally for him. The idea of temporari-
ly depositing the precious gems within the
lining of one of that gentleman's portman-
teaus struck him as a brilliant one. His
intention, of course, was to withdraw them
directly Mr. Mauleverer's departure was
about to take place, and he would, of course,
have the best opportunity of doing so while
packing his clothes; but his plan by mere
chance miscarried, and he had the NORTH
cation of seeing the portmanteau leave En-
field with the diamonds still safely secreted
within it.
Mr.. Mauleverer's temporary absence from
our house afforded too good an opportunity
to be missed; hence the visit to the Wrens
Nest, which very nearly terminated my ex-
istance, for the shock and exposure COM
bined brought on an illness from which, for
long, it was not expected l should recover.
Amy was my tender nurse all through
it, and it was from her lips heard all the
particulars of the robbery, in the sequel to
which had been called on to play so prom
inent part.
Happily for both our sakes, she never
knew of the terrible suspicious had for a
brief time entertained regarding Mr.. Mau-
leverer. That gentleman made his appear
ance in due time at the Wren's Nest, bear
ing his fathers letter, which informed me
not only of his willingness to welcome Amy
as his daughter, but to settle an income
upon the young couple of the most satisfac-
tory description.
Shortly afterward the butler was placed
upon trial, and I was called on, despite my
weakened condition, to give evidence against
him. This, however, | was happily spared,
as the prisoner, acting on the advice Of his
counsel, pleaded guilty. Indeed, l was
doubly relieved, as Mauleverers character
was thus vindicated AS the wretched
prisoner was being removed he vowed he
would ''pay Miss Courtenay visit again
when his term of imprisonment expired.
However, ten years penal servitude may
bring about change in his intentions.
Lady Dasent amused me very much by
the comforting view she took of the matter.
''Do not trouble your head, my dear Miss
Courtenay, about anything the wretch may
have said; in the course of nature you will
be beyond his reach long before then"
"Quite true," I replied with smile.
''At all events, I am glad | have lived long
enough to be the means Of your recovering
your diamonds