The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-01-25

doubtfully from time 70 time. and he
was uneasily conscious Of the fact
Presently he got up and went 10 the
bell.
Il quite forgot" he said. as ne pulled
the cord, Il never asked about that
note being open"
Il don't understand" said Mr.. Wick
erby.
The seal was broken when I found
it,"
The lawyer locker puzzled. "sure?"
he asked.
Certain" Dick replied. THE letter
had been opened. beyond a doubt"
That's awkward. I'm afraid any one
who may have read it would think you
kept queer company"
The maid appeared in answer to the
bell.
Jane" said Dick holding up the let
ter, who brought this?"
The gentleman wrote II here, sir"
Excuse me-" said Mr. Wickerby in
terrupting, but l should like TO ask
her question or two; I'm used to this
kind Of thing. you know
An right" said Dick; you'll do 1t
better than l should"
The lawyer turned TO cross-examine
Jane. who was beginning TO be
alarmed.
What gentleman" he asked
II don't know his name. sir"
Did you know him by sight?"
Yes. sir; he came here once, a week
ago, with Captain Estcourt"
What time was ii when he wrote the
letter."
"a bout IO.q0 In +bo ,,,or,t.,r. 81 -
near as | could say"
Did you see him fasten it up?"
Yes, sir; / brought him the wax and
held the taper myself"
What did he do with Il then?"
He gave 1t to me, sir, and l put
it on the chimney-piece.
You are sure the seal was unbrolxen
them"
Yes, sir; quite sure
And who has been in here during
the day."
mo one, sir, but me and Captain Est
court"
Then" said the lawyer, with sever
ity, 1T was you who broke the seal;
come now. tell the truth"
mo. sir; indeed. IL was not" said the
girl in great distress.
w no was IL, them
Captain Estcourt. I suppose, sir"
she replied, almost in tears
But he was out"
81 thought he must have come back.
sir, and gone out again. I remember
noticing that the letter had been opened
when l came in 10 see to the fire, and
I said to myself. Then he must have
been home again."
What time was that?"
THAT would be about II, sir"
You're certain no one else came imp"
They couldn't have done. sir, without
ringing. Captain Estcourt. he has a
latchkey, but others must ring"
Mr.. Wickerby saw that she was not
likely to be shaken from this theory.
Whether IL was true or not, it was her
only possible method of clearing her
self from the charge of having opened
the letter.
Thank you" he said; II daresay you
are right Captain Estcourt must have
forgotten. That will do. Jane, and you
needn't trouble yourself about it,"
The girl led with alacrity, and Mr.
Wickerby turned to Dick, who was
Tuning with Impotence.
well" he asked, what do you say
to that?"
What COMPOUNDED nonsense all this
isl" cried Dick; "as If didn't know that
/ never set eyes on the thing till this
afternoon, just two minutes before you
came in! / shall think no more of it."
THAT is all very WE'LL" replied his
companion, but the question is, will
all these other people think no more os
1t. too"
What other people,"
wen, there is first the gentleman
who sent the invitation, and no doubt
supposes you to have accepted 1t with
your eyes open; secondly, these French
men he mentions-did you meet them,
too?"
ooh. hang them. yes" groaned Dick
Thirdly, the person or persons, un-
known, who opened and read this let
ter; and fourthly-let me see-oh yes
the lady spoken Of as my sister-;a-
law"
Dick turned crimson. and his compan-
ion fixed a penetrating glance upon him.
do you know" he said, II think, my
dear Estcourt, IL might be better Tor
you II you made a clean breast of Il.
I'm an old confidential friend of your
people, and you know / will keep your
counsel"
II give you my word" cried Dick,
there's nothing more TO tell than this.
! know Colonel de Montaut-the man
who wrote this letter, you know-pretty
we'll; and as for Madame de Montaut--"
'Ycs?" inquired Mr. Wickerby. And
as for Madame
ooh, you understand" said Dick,
with desperate embarrassment, shes
the only woman I'm the world: but no
one could ever think me capable OF dis
loyalty, and she least OF all"
Hmm" said the lawyer. 81
couldn't. perhaps; but women have
high estimate Of their own power, and
some of them love to exercise II. too"
Some Of themr' Dick burst out, in
dignantly; She's not some Of them.
She wouldn't accept the help OF trait
or, much less ask for It,"
lie was becoming irritated beyond his
self-control, and Mr.. wickerby hast
ened to leave this part of the subject
The question now u.s." he remarked,
what you are to do"
dol! cried Dick. ct shall write to
Colonel de Montaut at once, and call to-
morrow morning to explain the mis-
take"
stop moment" said the lawyer.
I'm not quite sure that that's your
wisest plan. though. of course, II Is the