The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-12-18

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but Inoz Don Manuere attentions
70 her alarmed me, aud ! determined
that night 10 declare my love aud ask
her 20 be my bride.
Evening came at last. tho clerk bad
departed, and proceeded 10 lock the
SAFE Before doing 30, however, my
curiosity prompted me 20 look a. the
diamonds again. Opening the drawer,
/ saw. 70 my dismay, they we're not
there. Thoroughly alarmed. / searched
every compartment Of the safe with
out avail. The horrible truth then
dawned upon mo- / had been robbed
For moment sat completely
stunned by the weight Of this over
wholming calamity, for not only would
my dearest friend be reduced 10 pow
erty through my carelessness, but sus-
pioion would inevitably fall on me,
aud, with my reputation ruined, how
could expect to win Inez, who was
dearer 10 me than life itself.
At all hazards / must recover the
diamonds
Feeling that the robbery must have
been committed by some one who
knew the diamonds we're in the safe.
/ could not suspect my faithful old
clerk, Raphael Vega, as he had been
absent from the warerooms oil morn
ing. 1 remembered him telling me,
however, Of a distinguished-looking
stranger who had called while I had
gone to luncheon. He had waited a
few minutes in the Office and then left
saying he would return later.
True, General Cabanos had been
present when the Captain had in
trusted the diamonds to my keeping
it was indeed hard for me to harbor
suspicion against the father Of the
woman loved. Moreover, he was a
man ofwealth and unsullied reputation
But duty compelled me to leave no
stone unturned.
I now searched the safe again. On
examining the drawer that had held
the diamonds, l discovered on its up
per edge a small, red streak that re-
sembled blood. After much cogita-
ton decided that the thief in his
haste must have grazed his hand.
Here was an important clue, and 1
determined to act upon it.
Confident that was on the right
track, did not notify the police, but
went to my apartments and dressed
for the reception.
On my arrival at the Generals
house the first to greet me was Inez.
She looked beautiful beyond descrip
ton as she bid me welcome, and fol
: time her intoxicating loneliness
caused me to forget the broodinl
trouble that haunted me. AS we sa
talking, Don Hernandez approached
; and requested the honor of a dane,
= with Inez She consented As h.
S presented his arm 1 noticed on tn
D back of his hand slight abrasion.
started. Gould this be the man VIII,
t had called Mt the Office during my ab
: sence9 II so, that trihing scar spok
volumes
n I determined to question him. TIL
opportunity soon came, as after tn
: dance he sauntered out on to the yer
. anda, which was deserted at the time
Y and lit a cigarette. Here was m
e chance. followed. Approachin
g him said; II believe you wished t
Il see me today, Don Hernanez?" Eyes,
he replied, ~ called on trifing ma
g ter of business. Shall state
e nowP"
/ That answer decided me, yet
,e was risky thing. to accuse a man
= n serious crime, on the slight evidenC
t. possessed But "trides light as all
l. are often sufficient to influence ore
d my predicament, and I now decide
ID to "stand the hazard of the die" an
le accuse him point blank of the rol
is berry.
le "Well. it is rather late for bus
g ness, ! replied, taking out my watcl
le ''but 1 will give you just ten minut,