Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-03-04

wards she taxes tine mum from MN, and
finds that the money and the purse are
gone. The gentleman says he had his
hands in the muff, and that it was empty,
That's how the case stands Now,
want to know if the gentleman has any
thing more to say" And he looked at
Nolen.
Il have told all know about it, re-
Piled Percy steadily. Il found the muff
empty, and If Mrs Tunstall had not
been so positive that the purse and the
money were in it should say she must
have been mistaken. The bank notes
might have fallen on the ground and not
been noticed, but the purse would have
been heard to drop"
May | ask, then, what your theory
ISL inquired Tunstall. courteously.
Il have none. he answered shortly.
And what is yours Sylvia?" her hus-
band continued.
Tn sure don't know what to think,
she said in faltering voice.
The eyes of Tunstall and the detective
fixed themselves upon Percy in silence.
He Redeemed as he returned the gaze, but
whether with anger or with some other
emotion it was impossible to determine.
We'll" he broke out at length, lit
seems to me that stand in the position
of suspected person. | can hardly be-
ieve, he added, in a hoarser voice, "that
| can be seriously charged with picking
a Iady's pocket-especiaIly a lady with
whom | am acquainted. Hepaused; no
one spoke. We'll, then, he went on,
angrily Il will say that repudiate the
CHARGE and will hold to account who
ever has the face to make it. mean
you, sirl'' he said. with a fierce look at
Tunstall Have you anything to say
to it?''
so far as am aware" said Tunstall,
,oolly. the only person who has spoken
Of charging you with the theft is your
self was not present, and can only
judge from hearsay But will say this,
Mr.. Nolen if | were in your place,
should wish to vindicate my innocence
in some other way than by asserting it.
should begin by asking this detective
to search my pockets.
| ~ yOu eIC w oc1y JOu "GILLO AAO W.
DE searcheG? cried Nolen, his face flush
ing red. while he advanced step toward
the other with threatening gesture.
That is what an honest man would
wish to have DONE" replied the other. not
| finching
| Come, come" said the detective, STEP
ping between them, 1--WE don't want any
hard words here, gentlemen. But I'm
bound to tell you, Mr.. Nolen, that Mr.
Tunstall is right, There's no disgrace in
being searched. that | know of: and it
would be worth more than lot of loud
talking.
Percy stood uncertain for moment;
then he stripped off his overcoat. and
tossed it to the detective. DO as you
like" said he. you have your duty to
perform suppose. will settle with
Mr. Tunstall afterwards.
The detective>put his hand into one of
the side pockets of the overcoat. then
i into the other Here's something, at
any rate. he remarked. and with the
words he drew out lady's purse.
Percy uttered a cry, an of utter aston
ishment and dismay and stared at the
pocket book like man bewildered
is that yours, Sylvia?" inquired her
husband quietly. taking the purse and
handing it to her
She took it mechanically and opened
it. ut is mine. she said under her
breath
Are the notes in it?"' demanded the
detective
She shook her head
They are not in the overcoat, the de-
tective added I'VE shall have to pur-
sue our examination little further, Mr..
Nolen," he said in a grave tone.
II don't understands have nothing
to say-there seems to have been some
plot against me" said Percy. in dazed !
manner II desire to have the thing
cleared up more than any one else can.
wish to be taken to the station and ex-
amined.
That's the best sense you've talked |
yet, answered the other approvingly. |
Call couple of hacks. Ferris, he said
to the salesman. land we'll start at once.
You charge this man on suspicion of the
robbery" he added, turning to Mrs. Tun-
STALL
She was standing with her eyes cast
down and her hands hanging folded be-
fore her, leaning against the table. She
was in delicate position. and she knew
it. If she sided with Percy, it would be
tantamount to a defiance of her husband
"a defiance which he would never for
give and would fight out to the bitter
end. 1t would mean for her loss of social.
position and consequent exile and obscur
ity. or, if not obscurity. kind of prom
inence that no one would envy her. If,
on the other hand, she took sides with
her husband, it would afford the strong
est possible indication. in his eyes, of her
virtuous and wifely conduct and rebuke
Of the suspicious he had entertained
against her Moreover. the evidence
against Percy was very strong and
plausible. 1t might be misleading-and
in the bottom of her heart she did not
believe him guilty-but, in case it should
turn out that he had yielded to some
sudden temptation, it would be awkward,
IN cov tl,a least RI bayt, ooponrcp7iSod