Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-30

| our own selves. Leave it to me, ma am
leave it to me and it will be all right
"
On the same night Mr.. Barberini returned
home late, as he had announced he would.
Mrs. Barberini, who was very nervous and
anxious, pretended to have headache in
order to conceal her state of mind. Mr..
Barberini in his turn was silent and rest
less, though from force of ancient habit, on
hearing that his wife was suffering, he
uttered few words of sympathy, and hoped
that she would soon be better. Mrs. Bar.
berini, however, reflected somewhat bitterly
that in the old days Charles would have been
lowering round her with eau de Cologne
and kisses as medicaments for her ailment.
The next morning he went to the city,
leaving word expressly that business would
be sure to detain him beyond the dinner
hour. Business did detain him, and he did
not return until late. Throughout that day
and evening Mrs. Barberini waited anxious
ly for tidings from Mr.. Rrusel, but nothing
came.
On the following day, however, the ex-
Inspector sent word to her to come if pos
sible to his office. Mr.. Barberini was con-
veniently absent, and taking a cab she
drove in all haste to the Strand.
She found Mr. Brusel preoccupied, and
as she imagined, trifie worried
What has happened?" she ask ed, eagerly:
"What have you discovered? Tell me, 1
am burning to know"
Mr.. Brusel paused, as though careful to
weigh his words before he spoke. $50 far,
this case licks me-" he said. "Excuse my
slang, but I'm in regular mix. can
make nothing of it-at least in the way I
should like"
"How?" inquired Mrs Barberini, uneas-
lily.
"Well, I'll tell you what I've done. As
agreed upon, Mr.. B. was followed. Here's
the result he said, referring to note
book before him. ''Ten A. NJ. Drove to
office in Austin Friars. Remained there
three good hours. At 1 o'clock walked to
his club, the Imperial, and stayed there
couple of hours. Lunch, etc., We may take
it. At 8 or thereabouts returned to his
Office, and stopped till 5:3O-country and
foreign post time, ma'am, as perhaps you
may be aware. After that he was back to
his club again, and never moved from it
until II at night, when he took cab and
drove straight home. There's nothing very
suspicious in all that, is there now, ma'a amp
A geltleman's club is very safe place.
mean from our point of view. No1adies
allowed there. you know, ma'am."
Mrs. Barberini listened with eager at
tention, but was too perple1ed to say any,
thing in reply.
"But this amt ALL" continued Mr..
Brusel, "Tve found out that he's been
doing this all along. Mr.. B. has been lead
you had reason to notice difference in his
ways and habits. I've had talk with one
of the club servants-it's right what tell
you"
''But what does it mean?" asked Mrs.
Barberini.
"Ah, that's more than I can say at pres
ent," replied Mr.. Brusel lone thing is
certain, however, he isn't after any lady.
Never in the whole course of my experience
did know man who was playing the Don
Juan do it in that style. Excuse my free
dom. ma am, but business is business, and
we must be straightforward"
"What do you think, then? What is
your opinion?" inquired Mrs Barberini,
quite taken apack by the wholly unex-
pected information impaired to her.
~ don't know what to think" answered
the e1-Inspector, who was at the same time
glance, as though endeavoring to read her
most secret thoughts. 'It's very queer.
Not at all what expected"
1T is strange, indeed" murmured Mrs.
Barberini. Then a sudden remembrance
flashed upon her. 'sBut Mr.. Barberini's |
she exclaimed. "how are they
to be accounted for?-he has been away |
sometimes for days without returning home |
at ALI"
''Oh, know what he did with himself, |
right enough" replied Mr.. Brusel, calmly. |
''He never left the town for one thing He |
has had room retained for him at the Hotel |
and stayed there"
"Ah, you seeP exclaimed Mrs. Barberini,
bitterly, yet triumphantly.
"No Importance to be attached to that"
the ex-Inspector. coolly. '.I've
Investigated the whole matter He was quite
alone at the hotel-as safe there as if he had
,een at his club"
"Are you certain?" asked Mrs. Barber
nj, astounded once more
Certain. What with my own inquir-
ng, and what 1 got from Dupont's man, 1
,ave made myself acquainted with every
hing. As an honest man, you may rely
lpon what have said.'
''Then Charles-my husbands inno-
'ent?" exclaimed Mrs. Barberini, joyfully.
"As innocent as babe unborn, ma am"
'You have restored me to happiness
.gain," said Mrs Barberini, squeezing
dr. Brussels hand in an outburst of grati-