Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-03-12

| SteGtthtty he reached his hand t0lcdTd the
bed.
moment before replying, deliberately
made one or two more sweeps with his
razor, then turned and faced the detect
i've.
"I mean, Mr.. Barnes, that you forgot
that ! was looking into q mirror"
"Your remark indicated that I meant
to steal"
"Did it? am sorry. But really you
should not adopt thief's stealthy
methods if you are SO sensitive. When
invite gentleman into my private
room, I do not expect to have him fin
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 it. :"
Certainly do, and what is more I
know just what you were wishing to do.
You must not get angered so easily. I
should not have used the words which
did, but to tell you the truth 7 was
piqued."
81 don't understand.
eft 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. I
never should have turned my back upon
you except that I faced a mirror. I told
you 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 it. Calmly he said:
GAS you know, I overheard your con-
versation on the train. You spoke of
having set Of five curious buttons
and"-
pardon me, 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 I re-
member" he continued, "and think
you will admit it was not unnatural Gu
riosity which led me to wish to see them,
that-that-well, that I might recog-
nize them again."
ga very laudable intent. But, my
dear Mr. Barnes, 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?"
"I should have done so lido so now"
"They are in the vest. You may ex-
anime them if you desire it.
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. It 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 are very beautiful, Mr.. Mitch
ell, and unique too. ] have never heard
of cameo buttons before. I think you
said they were made expressly for you"
Mr.. Mitchell dropped into cushioned
rocker before he replied:
"Thess buttons were made for me,
and they are exquisite specimens Of the
graver's art. Cameo buttons, however,
are not so uncommon as you suppose.
though they are more usually worn by
women, aud, in fact, it was woman's
idea to have these cut. should not
have"--
"By Jove!'' 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 if these buttons were por-
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?''
II am not disturbed. !"
..Ynn are. and it is the sight Of those
buttons which has caused IT, Now tell
me your reason for coming here this
morning. I"