Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-01-23

3
''Did it? am sorry. But really you
should not adopt a thief's stealthy
methods if you are so sensitive. When l
invite a gentleman into my private
room, l do not expect TO have him fin
gering my clothing while my back is
turned. "
Take care, Mr.. Mitchell, you are
speaking to a detective. If | did stretch
my hand toward your clothing, it was
with no wrong intent, and you know il. "
Certainly do, and what is more l
know just what you were wishing to do.
You must not get angered so easily. I
should not have used the words which I
did, but TO tell you the truth I was
piqued. F"
II don't understand
''It hurt my feelings to have you treat
me just like an ordinary criminal. That
you should think ! would let You come
in here and make whatever examina-
tions you have in your mind right be-
fore my very eyes wounded my pride. /
never should have turned my back upon
you except that faced mirror. told
you l know what you wished to do. 1t
was to examine the buttons ON my vest,
was it not?"
Mr. Barnes was staggered, but did
not show ii. Calmly he said:
AS you know. overheard your con-
versation on the train. You spoke Of
having set Of five curious buttons
and
Pardon me, l said six, not five"
Once more Mr.. Barnes had failed TO trap
tho man. He suggested FIVE, hoping that
Mr.. Mitchell might claim that to have
been the original number, thus elimi-
mating the lost one.
"Of course you did say six, now re-
member" he continued, "and think
you will admit it was not unnatural Gu
tiosity which led me to wish to see them,
that-that--well, that ] might recog-
nize them again.
"a very laudable intent. But, my
dear Mr.. Barnes, | have told you that
you may call upon mo at any time and
ask me any questions you please. Why
did you not frankly ask me to show you
the buttons?"
y should have done so, do SO now."
"They are in tho vest. You may ex-
anime tRenl III you desire III.
Mr.. Barnes took up the vest, and was
puzzled to flud six buttons, three Of Ju-
liet and three of Romeo. Still he was
satisfied, for they were identical with
the one in his pocket. II occurred to him
that this man who was SO careful i'll his
precautions might have liod as to the
number in the set, and have said six
when in reality there were seven A few
questions about the buttons seemed OPP
perfume.
"These aro very beautiful, Mr.. Mitch
el, and unique too. l have never heard
of cameo buttons before think you
said they were made expressly for you. "
Mr.. Mitchell dropped into a cushioned
rocker before no replied:
"rhese buttons were made for me-
and they are exquisite specimens Of the
graver's art. Cameo buttons, however,
nro not so uncommon us You suppose,
though they are more usually worn by
women, and, in fact, IL was n woman's
idea to have these cut l should not
havo"-
"By JoveI" said Mr.. Barnes, "the
Romeo buttons are copies from your
likeness, and good portraits too.
"Ahl You have noticed that, have
your"
Eyes, and the Juliets are copies OF
that picture. Mr.. Barnes was getting
excited, for IL these buttons were por-
traits, and the one In his pocket was
that Of tho woman whose likeness stood
ON tho easel, it was evident that they
...n..e. .e,.,a.tal NJ. Mitchell avaI him
keenly.
"Mr Barnes, you are disturbed. What
is it?"
II am not disturbed -
"yor ara end II ~ tho sipht Of those
buttons which has caused IL. Now tell
me your reason for coming here this
morning"
Mr.. Barnes thought the time had
come to strike deciding blow.
''Mr Mitchell, first answer one ques
ton, and think we'll before you reply.
How many buttons were made for this
sot2"
"Seven," answered Mr.. Mitchell, 80
promptly that Mr.. Barnes could only
repeat, amazed:
Seven? But you said six only u mo
ment agop
II know what said | never forget
any statement that l make, and all my
statements nro accurate. | said that six
is the entire set. Now you ask mo whit
was tho original number. and l reply
seven. Is that clear?''
"Thon the other button has been lostf"
"Not ut all. | know whoro 1t Ia.
"Then what do you mean by saying |
that tho set now is only eixf'
Excuse me. Mr.. Barnes, IL decline |
to answer that question. have replied |
now TO several since ! asked you why |
you came hero this morning.
"I will tell you, said the detective,
playing his trump card, as he thought. |
~ have been examining tho place whore |
your crime was committed. and / have |
found that seventh button - IL NJ. |
Barnes expected Mr.. Mitchell TO recoil |
with fear, or tremble, or do anything |
that an ordinary criminal does when
brought face to face with evidence OF his
guilt, no must have been disappointed.
But IL Ia safe 10 assume that by this
time so skillful man as Mr. Barnes did |
not expect 80 consummate nn actor as
Mr.. Mitchell 10 betray feeling Ho did |
show some interest, however. for be
arose from his chair, and walking up TO
Mr.. Barnes ho asked simply;
Have You IL with your May aeo itY'
Mr.. Barnes hesitated moment, won
dering IL be riskcd losing tho button by
handing IL 10 him flo decided to give
II to him and did 80.
Mr.. Mitchell looked at IT closely. us
though an expert, and after several mo-
monta Of silonco be tossed 10 carelessly
into the air. catching IL ms IL came down,
and then said:
"This would mako pretty situation
I'm n play, Mr.. Barnes Follow me De
toctiyo discovers crimo and finds curious
button. Goes straight 10 criminal and
boldly tolls him Of the fact Criminal
admits that ho has but ak buttons out !