Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-01-29

T.
Stealthtly he reached his hand to,rard the
bed.
room, 90 not expect to have him fill
gering my clothing while my back is
turned.
Take care, Mr.. Mitchell, you are
speaking to detective If did stretch
my hand toward your clothing, it was
with no wrong intent, and you know 1t. "
Certainly / do, and what is more /
know just what you were wishing to do.
You must not get angered so easily. l
should not have used the words which l
did, but to tell you the truth l was
piqued. "
II don't understand.
"It hurt my feelings to have you treat
me just like an ordinary criminal. That
you should think I 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 I faced a mirror. l told
you I know what you wished to do. 1t
was to examine the buttons Oh my vest,
was it not?"
Mr.. Barnes was staggered, but did
not show it. Calmly he said:
GAS you know, I overheard your con-
versation Oh the train. You spoke of
having a set of five curious buttons
and"-
Pardon me, I said six, not five. "
Once more Mr.. Barnes had failed to trap
the 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, land l think
you will admit it was not unnatural Gu
riosity which led me to wish to see them,
hat-that-well, that l might recog-
nize them again.
"A very laudable intent. But, my
dear Mr.. Barnes, I have told you that
you may call upon me at any time and
ask ME any questions you please. Why
did you not frankly ask ME to show you
the buttons?"
II should have done so. l do so now. !"
"They are in the vest. You may ex-
anime them if you desire it. y
Mr.. Barnes took up the vest, and was
puzzled to find six buttons, three of Ju-
liet and three Of Romeo. Still he was
satisfied, for they were identical with
the one in his pocket 1t occurred to him
that this man who was so careful in his
precautions might have lied as to the
number in the set, and have said six
when in reality there were seven. A few
questions about the buttons seemed op-
perfume
"These arc very beautiful, Mr.. Mitch
ell, and unique too. have never heard
of cameo buttons before. think you
said they were made expressly for you. !"
Mr.. Mitchell dropped into a cushioned
rocker before he replied:
"These buttons were made for me,
and they are exquisite specimens of the
eraver's art. Cameo buttons, however,
are not so uncommon as you suppose,
though they are more usually Worn by
women, and, in fact, it was woman s
idea to have these cut / should not
have"-
by Jovev' said Mr.. Barnes, "the
Romeo buttons are copies from your
likeness, and good portraits too. "
"Ah! You have noticed that, have
you?"
"Yes, and the Juliets are copies OF
that picture" Mr.. Barnes was getting
excited, for if these buttons were per
traits, and the one in his pocket was
that of the woman whose likeness stood
on the easel, it was evident that they
were connected. Mr.. Mitchell eyed him
keenly.
"Mr. Barnes, you are disturbed. What
is it,"
Il am not disturbed. "
"You are, and it is the sight Of those
buttons which has caused 1t. Now tell
me your reason for coming here this
morning.
Mr.. Barnes thought the time had
come to strike a deciding blow.
"Mr. Mitchell, first answer one Ques-
tion, and think well before you reply.
How many buttons were made for this
set:'
"Scvcn," answered Mr.. Mitchell, So
promptly that Mr.. Barnes could only
repeat. amazed:
"Scvcn: But you said six only mo-
mcnt ago!'
Il know what l said. never forget
any statement that l make. and all my
statements are accurate. | said that Sin
is the entire set. Now You ask me what
was the original number, and l reply
seven. Is that clcar:'
"Then the other button has been LOST"
"Not at all. l know where it is. "