Telegram-herald., 1891-05-29
r. Sykes stared then burst o..

Ior IT.
Mr. Sykes stared then burst o.,
laughing.
80 that's the story you've told his
iordship." he thought. IS he looked
sideways al his hostess biushing face.
We'll. nuns the word. but / amt go
ing - Be made fool Of. even oy q noble
lord" Aud turning - Lord Pail Mall.
he continued: II should DO glad - give
her l4dyship Eve hundred pound ster-
ling for IT, Those stones arc real
every one OF them"
'.I'm sorry 20 contradict YOU" re-
torted Lord Pail Mall coolly. but
really now you are mistaken Ny wife's
necklace is only paste. You see. was
not far wrong when ] asserted that
paste sometimes deceiyes even good
judge"
81 quite agree with his lordship." In
terrupted Mrs Sykes. quietly. You
must DC mistaken. john" and she gave
her husband look that said plainly.
at Is bad manners 10 carry an argu-
ment too far"
But Mr.. Sykes was not to be stopped
well. my lord" he said. I'm ready
10 back my opinion, anyhow. III bet
you any thing you please that the neck
lace Lady Pail Mall is wearing Is made
of twenty-five real stones of the first
water-and ought 10 know"
.Oh. it's hardly worth betting
about" said Lord Pail Mall. inditfer-
emily. I'm very glad the necklace is
good enough 10 deceive such an excel
lent Judge as you. but really ! seldom
bet"
"Afrsid-eh-in this case?" sneered
Mr.. Sykes. who was losing his temper
At that moment Lady Pail Mall gave
Mrs Sykes the signal 10 retire. and the
ladies left the room.
81 didn't want To discuss the question
farther before the ladies'" said Lord
Pail Mall. as they settled INTO their
seats again. but / am rs confident as
you are. and IL you really want TO back
reasonable figure"
''Say couple of thousand, IL you
like" replied Sykes. bumptiously. and
let's decide it as soon as you please"
Done with you. If you know any
expert in the neighborhood, will send
TO him at once"
"Send round TO Lorder & Rydon's.
Mention my name and ask them To send
Mr.. Agate" said Mr.. Sykes, with a
Mr.. Agate who had sold him the neck
lace.
$50 be it." said his host "Shall we
go upstairs?"
Within half an hour Mr.. Agate had
arrived and by Lord Pail Malls orders
was ushered into the drawing-room.
Excuse my sending for you in this
informal way, MIR. Agate, but we wish
you to decide a trifiing wager. My
dear" added Lord Pail Mall. turning to
his wife, lust let Mr.. Agate look at
your necklace"
Lady Pail Mall at once unfastened
the necklace. Mr.. Agate carried it to
the light and closely inspected the dia-
monds through his pocket lens. The
four onlookers waited expectantly.
well, sir. what do you say?" dc
manded Mr.. Sykes "Stones of the
hrst water-eh?"
ne expert Ialu the necklace down,
and the stones flashed in the lamp-light
as if to affirm their unimpeacha bility.
'Every stone in the necklace is paste"
he said, quietly.
Then you are the biggest swindler
in London" shouted Mr.. Sykes, ''for you
sold me that necklace not a fortnight
ago for $1,000"
IT sold you one somewhat similar to
this, brt''-the rest of the sentence was
drowned in an hysterical shrek from
Mrs. Sykes, and for some minutes all
was confusion.
81 was right, you see," remarked
Lord Pail Mall, when he and his wife
were presently left alone. 1.-THE lady
was the thief. l wonder what he will
say to her when they get home"
~ hope" said Lady Pail Mall. that
he viii tell her to send me the dia-
monds."
"And I hope" said his lorslship.
'that he will send me my So, 000."
Mr.. Sykes was honest, with all his
faults. He did both.-Jewelers' Weekly.
An Encouraging Prospect.