The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-11-20

NJ was preparing To examine the
works OF art footman entered and in
formed me il was his masters wish !
should take luncheon. could either
SIT down with Mr.. Crackenthorpe or be-
attended separately. Blu. excused my
self on The score of wanting 10 leave al
most Immediately, intending TO resume
my visit next day. Left alone. eN-
amined several ~ the miniatures. At
last ! unlocked the Mountfalcon pie
ture. II represented the noblcman IN
court dress. ] satisfied myself OF every
point. After the closest scrutiny was
convinced the miniature | carried in
my breast coat pocket differed In moth
ing from the original. II was perfect in
similarity of jewels, arms and setting
1t struck me that | would compare the
pictures.
The light being less strong in the
northern than southern division of the
gallery, entered the brighter chamber
There i looked at the miniatures side
by side. was aghast for a moment
lest they should seem displaced To
tell which from which should have been
impossible Putting the copy in my
pocket, | returned, placing the original
on small table near the cases. Some
feeling impelled me to again visit the
south apartment, where | once more
examined every point in the picture
Mr.. Atherstonc had sent. My allah
sorbing thought was to get a clew
TO the history of that picture. My
meditation was broken by faint. sigh
like sound from the inner apartment.
] looked around; il was perfectly soil
tary and silent. But on returning TO
replace Lord Mountainous miniature,
it had disappeared.
My feelings can be conceived. !
searched in vain. Everything else had
been untouched Amid bewilderment,
n terrible idea occurred to me. | knew
Crackenthorpe's malevolent nature
Had he, | thought, found an oppor-
tunity 10 pay off a grudge against me?
1t was time. however TO meet the diff
Guilty. Stating what had happened. !
requested Crackenthorpe to at once
summon his master. if at hand.
Lord Mountfalcoln listened 10 my
statement with the greatest calmncss
and patience. In reply. lie said most
likely must have inadvertently dropped
the picture among the prints or other
things on the tables. The keeper and
Il footInan were then ordered to make
a search through everything. II was
perfectly fruitless. The nobleman,
whose eyes had never left me, said:
what explanation have you? learn
that you have been alone with the works
of art more than half an hour, and dur
ing that time no one has been near the
gallery
1T is matter OF opinion, my lord"
| returned. looking hard at the keeper:
"a noise | heard warrants my belief
that someone secretly did enter"
do you want to throw suspicion on
me?" exclaimed Crackenthorpc. ut
would not be the first time you have
falsely charged me with dishonesty"
The nobeman waved his hand and
said tc me:
1T is very painful to me. but have
no alternative. You must be searched"
"Forbear. my lord" calmly replied;
spare me such humiliation"
"Hear me for moment only" cried
the keeper. Il assure you he is man
of disreputable character" and creep
ing closer to me, Crackenthorpe struck
my breast pocket and Kissed out: WHAT
have YOU there?''
knew full well. heaven knows. but
what could do?
Il have no property Of Lord Mount
falcons" / said. ''and Mr.. CiacSen-
thorpe knows that perfectly wei
''Dsprove his charge, then. by pro
ducing what your pocket contains" was
the answer. Il can have DO more de-
lay. If you again refuse what is de
manded one of my servants must ride
Off to Salisbury for a constable"
Surveying the whole question. I an
swcrcd:
"Allow me private interview. Lord
Mountfalcon. and / can give you such
an explanation that must remove al
suspicion"
What the noblcman's answer might
have been know not. At the moment
n wild. hooking cry came from the gar
den.
What is that?" exclaimed Lord
Mountfalcon. anxiously; surely know
the sound
In an instant he had quilted the gal
lery. Soon confused voices. inter-
mingled with the angry tones of the
master of the mansion. arose in the cor
ridor. Something unusual had taken
place. In few minutes Lord Mount
falcon. strangely pale, rcentered AMI
laid the missing miniature on the table.
lie said TO me. with extended hand:
IL deeply regret we have caused you
so much anxiety. Hear my explana-
ton. a niece of mine. unfortunately
of weak intellect. gained admission in
some inexplicable manner to the gal
lery The noise you heard doubtless
came from her entrance or departure.
A gardener observed her unattended,
and following the young lady saw her
cast something into the rosary. TWAS
the portrait taken from the table where
YOU had deposited il. | deeply regret