The Opelousas courier., 1889-07-27

than twelve months before I heard
from the Earl again. Q
1t was one dull November morning
with a fog beginning to settle yer thu
city. so dense that we had lighted the
gas, though it was not long past eleven
when a visitor was ushered into the
counting house-no one else than TIT
slim gentleman, who gave me q smil
ing recognition and held out q note fol-
my perusal. l was somewhat aston
ished and not a little pleased when
saw that it was an order for a parure
of diamonds; in fact, almost the same
order as | had received nearly eight
cen months ago. In a ocular way
pointed out this resemblance to the
1 slim gentleman. To my surprise his
face became grave, and he looked
around cautiously, as if afraid
of eavesdroppers, and coming {
little closer, began in a significant
tone: "Of course, you understand, sir,
that confidential servants are often
obliged to know things that it is as
well other people should be ignorant
OF. Every noble family has its skele.
ton, and our family have theirs. Now,
in the first place, have you another
suite of diamonds the counterpart Of
the others my lord purchased"
I intimated that we had such another
suite, as the Earl must remember; but
my visitor waived the question aside
impatiently.
You might possibly have sold it."
he said, land there is no time to make
another. The fact is, Lady R, who
is staying with US now. must wear
theAa jewels at a dance we are giving
tomorrow night. And this is where
the difficulty comes in, for they have
been stolen!'
Good gracious, you don't say so
But why make a mystery of the mat
ter?n
Because we happen to know who
the thief isl" said the valet, dropping
his voice still lower. ITO a great ex-
tent 1 was instrumental in detecting
thu delinquent myself. 1t is a de-
plorable affair, a shocking affair-such
a promising young gentleman, too.
But | am saying too much, perhaps.
Mr.. -, we must have those jewels
at any price. If not, one of the high
est families in the land will be terri
bly, compromised. Do not be at Ar
lington street later than 2:30."
l always had a weakness for a mys-
terry, and here was one ready to my
hand. | could understand, from my
visitors little indiscretion, that some
terRble sca~dal had happened, though
] admired the fellows cautiousness in
checking himself before he had said
too much. Under the circumstances
1 need not tell you that my cal
reached Arlington street on the stroke
of 2:30.
The drawing-room blinds were down;
the shutters, too, all over thu house,
with the exception of the dining-room.
In the clearer atmosphere it was fairly
light-light enough to do without gas.
In the front dining-room a young man
was standing before the fire, who
pleasantly introduced himself to me as
Hon. Claude V, a name | knew
we'll enough though I had never seen
the young gentleman before. In spite
of his naturally amiable nj /
thought he seemed anxious and ill at
ease, frequently breaking On IN the
middle of some observation to listen 10
the sound of voices, which came plainly
enough from behind the thin orna-
mental partiti3Rh dividing the two
rooms, and whence the Earls peculiar
grating tones could be heard every
now and then raised in something like
anger. / could catch from time to time
illusions to diamonds, and occasionally
the word ''thief" was used in tones
of Unreasonable contempt. In the
midst Of this the door opened and
the ~gentlemarly valet walked in.
Even he seemed somewhat restless
and uneasy, atcircumstance / should
scarcely have expected from a person
of his unusually aven temperament. He
held in his hand an open telegram and
letter for me, the ink still wet upon
the envelope. / tore it open and read
that his lordship had suddenly been
summoned to M Castle, the valets
at the same time showing me the tele-
gram, signed Mary"
'You will have to go down to M
tomorrow, SIR" he said to me, ''un-
less perhaps you have no objection to
allowing the Earl to take the jewels
with him. However, for the present
Nat matters but little"
acknowledgements my willing
nesA to comply with this arrangement.
seeming reluctance the valet
took my bag, and presently / heard
the sound Of conversation resumed in
the adjoining apartment.
Thank goodness, there is a way out
of it, ] heard the Earl say. mo, /
will not look at any thing else now.
Take the bag back to Mr.. - at once
and, Evans, I must have a cab inn
me~diately.n
"You r usually cautious in your
profession remarked the Honorable
Claude to me, as / made a hurried in
ventory of various costly knick-knacks
| had brought with me on the chance
Of d sale, for even confidential serv-
ants are not always to be trusted.