The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-10

tnen ne went around 10 make Qlb peace
with her.
This seemed to be t,ken as signal
that the luncheon was at an end, fol
there was general rising from the table.
The little incident described-of 80
much moment to both Boncourt and his
sister for the time being-was, as q mat
ter of course. of no special significance
to any of the guests.
It had even been lost upon Gilbert
Marlowe and Croak, both of whom were
under the erroneous impression that the
missing confession was in Jasper's pos
session; and at the present moment the
former had fallen into business discus
sion with several shopkeepers, who1were
depositors in his bank, while the lawy er
was scowling at Miss Alworth's side, and
silently nursing his wrath over young
Lord 'Squanderall's having altogether
monopolized her attentions.
The rest of the company; or most OF
them, were moving leisurely about the
grounds, while some of the younger gen.
tlemen were intent upon card-playing
indoors. and there was yet another group
around the agile Dip at the billiard
rooms entrance.
Madame Ronceville gave the lad sig
nificant look, as she sauntered into the
passage, clinging coquettishly to Noels
arm, and he received second prompting
of the same sort from his master shortly
afterward.
Come, Squanderall, called out Sir
Harry Wilding, pausing, with several
other yonng men, on his way to- the
drawing-room. 'Sha'n'tyou hold hand
with us?"
Not at present, thanks, replied the
noble scion addressed, who was occupy
ing rustic seat beside Miss Alworth,
with Lawyer Croak in an uneasy back
ground, 'and perhaps never at all
with an ogling glance at his companion,
who was picking bouquet to pieces with
downcast eyes-"if were only privileged
to hold q certain hand far loTelier than
was ever dealt from cards.
And then he b!ushed and laughed lit
tie bo;sterously, as if taken unawares by
his own wit.
Sir Hairy also laughed and passed on.
Half an hour later. while Boncourt was
engaged with. number Of others at the
caYa-taDles That nad been set out in the
drawing room. one of the doors softly
ope ned, and Dips comical face peeped
in, With knowing look upon it.
Boacourt gave an imperceptible nod,
and the face disappeared.
Shortly afterwsrd he found an oppor-
tunity to excuse himself to his compan-
ions, and, quitting them, he hurried away
to his bedchamber, in which he found the
lad dutifully awaiting him.
Il have only just been able to do as
you told me, sir, said the boy. Maurice
was marking their game, and I could
have quilted the sideshow sooner, but the
young gentleman did not feel warm
enough 10 take off his coat until few
minutes ago. I received it from him, and
went throught it before hanging it up"
As he spoke he produced several arti-
cles, which his master eagerly seized and
proceeded to examine without ceremony.
A shade of deep disappointment, how
ever, soon clouded his face.
Besides silk pocket-handkerchief and
a leather cigar-case, containing nothing
but cigars, there were but three folded
papers, which proved upon examination
to be Of no consequence whatever-one
being note from Adele, another some
penciled memoranda referring to Noel's
visiting engagements, and the last only
receipted saddler's bill Of account.
You've made some mistake, curse
you!" growled Boncourt, with an oath.
These trihes can't be oil that the coat
pockets contained"
with due respect to your serene high
ness, I'll gamble my bottom dollar on It'll"
replied the precocious youth.
4 went through every one of 'eni, high
and low, fore and aft, inside and out,
breast, tail, and collar, liN o load Of
buckshot-and there you are! The hand
kerchief was in the left-hand tail-pouch;
the inside breast-pocket, right-hand,
yielded the Havsnas; and I yanked the
documents from the twin-receptacle on
The opposite side-the same from which
the young swell took the newspaper that
be and my mistress had such fight over
at the lunch board. There's mighty
little that ever escapes my eagle-eye, my
liege."
so it would seem, Or your tongue,
either!" said Boncourt, harshly. Here;
r. place these things as dextrous'y as you
obtained them. And, hark you! if I
should discover that you've not been
thorough or faithful in this matter, you'll
suffer for it. Begone, nowl"
The lad took back the articles and dis
with a grin, while his master
sunk into bitter and respondent thonghts.
by heaven!" he muttered, as he slowly
returned to the drawing-room. IF the
missing paper is still in existence, Noel
must still have it somewhere, though. 1t
can be nowhere else!"
However, his sister reflected his des-
pondency, when she once more found her.
self alone with him, two or three hours
later, the last of the guests having taken
their departure.
DIP was certainly thorough in his ex-
ploration of Noel's coat-pocke!s, AL
phonse," said she. "He had no sooner
quilted the billiard-room, after receiving
the coat from Noel, aud hanging it upon
the rack, than took hold of it. in SEEM
ing playfulness, during which I also
searched every one Of the pockets, only
to find them empty"
What then. can bave become of the
missing paper? exclaimed Boncourt, in a
soyt Of evaporation.
II csu oaly think We have been wrong,
in our theory OF Noei ever having had it
in his possession"
Nonsense! LIE must have it. Jasper
hasn't got it, that's certain. I haven't
got it, that is equally certain. Gilbert
Marlowe hasn't seized and destroyed it,
..5r he Is more alarmed over its disappear
ance than any one else, and doubt';e '.;ess
imcgincs it to lie either in mypoor. r..ssion,
or in Jasper's. There is no other theory
tenable, save that Noel still in some way
possesses it unawarss."
Adele shook her head.
by heaven! I won't give mp the
search. My power over Marlowe-per.