St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-29

stunned at the discovery or his loss,
the young jeweler endeavOred to recall
every movement of the ladies. who had
only Just left his counter. He remem-
bered that they had examined the neck
lace minutely. and il was gone when he
returned. from the carriage. Although
his shOpman was absent his back was
only turned for an instant, and he had
taken the precautiOn to place the trays
containing the Jewels under glass case
and lock it. The key was in his hand,
the glass was unbrOken, and all the
goods were intact except the necklace.
He was well in view OF the ladies dur
ing the greater part of the time they
were in the shop, although ne went
hitner and thither for certain articles.
He also rendered that the peeresS had
large muff, which she laid on the
counter.
How was he to act? To bear the loss
was out of the question. The necklace
was worth nearly the whole value OF his
own stock. The rank of the ladies
placed them above suspicion; their
wealth removed ordinary motives of
temptation. His inSOlence, as it would
be termed should he venture an accusa-
ton, would entail retaliation and per-
hapS ruin to his business. If he sought
the ladies they would, of course. indig
nantly deny the apprOprlatiOn-per-
| haps. indeed, only one was guilty-and
to effectively conceal jewel case pre-
| scented no difficulty. After thinking the
matter over for two days Trafford deter
mined to wait on the peer, relate the in
| cidents as they had occurred and by
| promising secrecy some arrangement,
| perhaps. could be arrived at.
Even to state his case was task re-
| curing courage, but character, prop
| erty, credit were at stake. Nervlng his
/ resolution, he knocked at the door Of
| his lordshipS mansion. On being ush-
cred into the library the peer, who per-
| eeived the young mans embarrassment,
| by kindlineSs of tone succeeded in some
| measure in putting him at ease. After
| a few moments hesitation the Jeweler
| related the details of the incident, which
the nObleman heard with so much COM
| posture that the other began to believe
his lordship was aware of his wife'S
propensities. aud that the untOward
affair would have happier termination
than his fears first suggested. But
this belief was illuSOry. A violent
indignation was suppressed under
outward caimneSS of demeanOr. When
TraffOrd concluded the peer rang the
bell, and on a servants entrance in
| 0uired if her ladyship had come home.
| He was answered in the affirmative
| Bidding the man wait, his lordship
wrote a hasty note to detective officer,
| which he was ordered to deliver lmme-
| diately.
II would have you sir. take notice."
| said the nobieman, leaving the door of
| the library open as the man fingered
| moment in. the hall. ''that my messenger
| has had speech with no one in the
house. 1t may he important to the just
ice of your easel"
| The valet shortly returned, accom-
panied by the officer. When the latter
| appeared the owner of the mansion
| commanded the outer doors to be locked,
| the KEYS to be given to the functionary.
Now restate your charge in presence
of the officer" said the peer, addressing
| the jeweler.
! the transaction. When he had con-
| cIuded, the nobleman, addressing the
| officer, requested he would commence a
| search through the house, in the pres
/ ence of Mr.. Trafford and himself. as
! rigid as though he were in the dOmIcile
| of a reputed thief. He requested, also,
| the officer and accuser both, to bear wit
ness that, up to the present moment, her
! ladvship was ignorant of the charge.
! The details of this dOmieiliary inquiry
need not be repeated. Suffice it to say,
the jeweler confessed that all had been
done which the strongest suspicion war
| ranted.
| The necklace was not found.
| eve will now" said the peer, "pay
visit to my friend. His wife is as deeply
| implicated as her ladyship-though /
have no control over his line of con-
| duct"
The banker, who lived near by, hap
pened to be at home when the visitors
| arrived. In his presence Trafford re-
| peated once more the perplexing story,
| and the gentleman betrayed anger dur
4 ing the recital.
! "You hear what Mr.. Trafford affirms,"
| said the nobleman, addressing his
friend; ''let me tell you what l have
| dOnew
When he had Informed him Of the
! nature and extent of the search which
his house had undergone, he added: Il
| do not presume to dictate what should
| be your conduct"
"My house shall undergo the same
| scrutIny,'i said the other.
| Search commenced, was carried on