The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-07-21

Rplncneu HIS IeSH anu IuDDeu his ewes
violently. The figure under the larch-
tree did not vanish. Swift realization
of the truth dawned on the drowsy
scholar He was alone, at distance
from the now silent hotel, and he had
in his pocket bag which belonged to
the other. What if this unknown had
found him still on the bench? What if
he emerged now, accosted the stranger
and gave him the bagP
d" I should be murdered as surely as
there is Heaven above us, - shuddered
the man of letters, with conviction for
which he could give no reason.
At this iuncture the wind freshened.
and the rain fell in torrents, while the
lightning became less frequent Prof
Horton quilted the larch-tree, reached
the hotel with surprising agility, found
a window of the recent ballroom I'M
fastened, CROPPED his way through that
deserted apartment, and gained his own
chamber The bag o0aS gone. He had
lost it from the wide pocket, pSobably
in his fight. His watch marked two
o'clock. The. Professor extinguished
his candle, opened the shutters of the
window, and seated himself with his
eyes fixed on the eastern horizon. He
was a prey to the most exciting emo
tions.
Prof. Horton was the first votary of
the Silver Spring abroad next morning.
If he was feverish and haggard, with q
stealthy, even furtive aspect, the boy
at the fountain did not notice the cir
cumstance. Always an early riser, the
Professor slipped glass of the spsrkhia.
water, and then walked along the up
per paths of the grounds. Cautiously
he skirted the rustic seat beneath the
larch-tree, and approached the larch.
A short, dry laugh of triumph escaped
the lips of the usually undemonsfratiye
student. A leather bag, half pouch,
lay, concealed by the long grass, be-
meath the spreading boughs. The larch-
tree had kept its secret well. The bag
remained where it had fallen from the
Professors wide pocket. He clutched
it, returned to his room, and proceeded
to investigate the contents. The little
bag held the DelamaGy diamonds.
Necklace, bracelet, butterfly ornament
nothing was lacking in this precious
heap swept hastily from cumbersome
case and casket.
Five minutes later the rosy landlord
was seized by the collar, dragged into
his private Office, and confronted by
Prof. Horton, whose agitation verged
on sheer lunacy. The latter took from
his pocket a little bag, and poured out
the Delaunay diamonds, telling wild
and incoherent tale meanwhile about
larch-tree and midnight rambles.
Nobody would believe it, you know"
said the Colonel, coolly. The hotel
proprietor is never surprised in this
world.
Take the trinkets and restore them
in your own way. Do not mention me
in the transaction" retorted the Pro-
fessOr. He stopped and plunged his
fingers once more into the rainbow of
precious stones with a sort of intoxica-
ton; the starry rays of rose and blue
dazzled, blinded him. Beautiful and
fatal gift to MANI he murmured, with
parched lips.
The Colonel closed one eye, with the
aspect of a sagacious bird.
Prof. Horton sought his bed and slept
heavily until four o'clock in the after
noon. He was awakened by voices and
RssFed thr9HGPPa tAs NShaiitt tedt to take the
Delaunay party to the steamboat on the
lake. Mr.. and Mrs. Delaunay were
already seated, while Alice, the maid,
had paused to reply to the head-waiter,
after which she re-entered the hotel
At this moment Prof. Horizons door was
opened, and the Colonel entered with
the bouncing swiftness of movement
peculiar to fat men in haste. If the
conduct of the Professor had been ex-
traordinary in the morning when he had
restored the jewels, that of the Colonel
was not less so in the afternoon. He
locked the door, made warning gest-
ure to the Professor and stole on tiptoe
to a second door at the extremity of
the large room, where he lay down on
the floor and applied eye and ear to the
crack. Voices became audible in the
adjoining chamber.
Il was there at one o'clock and gave
it you,' said woman.
"a lie! l waited all night and YOU
did not come" said man.
81 gave it to person under the tree,
and he took it," gasped the woman.
Fool! Then the game is up. Get
yourself dismissed at Newport and cut
to New York. If l believed you were
tricky, my girl, it would be the worse
for you. :"
There was sound of footsteps. and
Immediately afterward the Delaunav
carriage rolled away
The Colonel rose to his feet. chucKlino
at the success of his stratagem.
''Set thief-ahem!- II mean woman
to catch a woman. My wife thought
OF having the English maid sent back
in search of missing bag, in order to
give her chance to communicate with
her accomplish in the hotel, if she had
one. The bag was dropped in the
empty room next to you, for the pur
pose, and aman joined her there. Your
story is amply corroborated, you see. by
the few words exchanged"
81 believe the Marquis de Ratti is the
accomplice, and no more Frenchman
than you are, exclaimed the Professor,
$50 do L; but how to prove it?'' re-
Joined the Colonel
You should have them arrested
urged the Professor
What is the charge? Your adyen-
lures of the night? The noble MARQUIS
Is caught whispering with pretty grip