Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-23

"Why, this is extraordinary 1t is one
of my set!'
Zone of yours. Why, have you lost
one? How many did you have?"
"There were seven, including this one
of Shakespeare. The other six Here
she stopped and colored deeply.
Miss Remsen, you think that is one
of the original set. If so, of course it is
yours, and should be too glad to restore
it to you. But have you lost one?''
Lost che? No-t that is, ! don't
know" She seemed much confused and
looked intently at the button. Suddenly
her whole expression changed, and with
her self possession fully restored she
startled Mr.. Barnes by saying: II am
mistaken. This is not one of the orig
inal set Yet it AZ very similar"
Mr.. Barnes did not know what to
think. Did she divine that there might
be some Danger in admitting that there
was seventh button still? Had that
matches schemer Mitchell sent her a
note warning her to say that there were
but seven in the original set: He could
not decide at once, but hazarded one
more stroke.
miss Remsen, have seen your por-
trait, and it struck me that that button
is copy Of it. What do you think?''
The girl once more became confused
and stammered, Il don't know"
Then suddenly, and with complete
composure again, she said: Eyes;
think you are right. This is a copy
from my picture. The portrait was
made last summer, and afterward I al
lowed the artist to exhibit it. think
photographs We're made from it, and
possibly some cameo cutter has used it
for his work -
This was ingenious, but not satisfac-
tory to Mr.. Barnes, for he knew that it
was far from probable that another gem
cutter should have used the picture and
then have called it Juliet. Besides, it
would have been too great coincidence
to make a button of it. He decided,
therefore, that the girl was doing the
best she could to invent plausible ex-
PLANTATION to question which Mr..
Mitchell himself lad simply refused to
answer. Not wishing to arouse any sus-
picion in her mind that he doubted her
word, he replied quickly:
"That is very likely, and surely he
could not have chosen a better face for
his subject"
"Mr. Barnes" said Emily, "you Of
fered just now to give me this, thinking
that had lost it. OF course I should
not accept present from one whom
| have had the pleasure of knowing for SC
| short time, but you are Mr.. Mitcbel's
| friend, and as would really prefer not
to have my portrait i'll the hands OF
strangers l accept your gift with
| thanks"
This was entirely unexpected. When
| Mr.. Barnes had made the remark tina,
he would be glad to restore her her own,
he had done so feeling safe, because tc
obtain it she would need to admit that
! she had lost it. Now it seemed that she
had deprived him Of his piece of evi.
| dence. He did not know what to say
when Mr.. Mitchell walked across to them
and remarked pleasantly:
well, Emily, do you find my friend
Fir. Barnes entertaining:"
! Mr.. Barnes has been most agreeable,
Roy, and, see, he has actually given Inc
a present, saying which she handed the
button to Mr.. Mitchell, across whose
counteBance Mr.. Barnes thought he saw
a ieeting smile of triumph pass.
II am proud of you, Emily. You
command homage wherever you extend
| your influence. Do you know, Mr.. Barnes
refused to give this cameo to me only
this morning. You can guess why
wanted it,
Because it has my picture copied on
it"'
| Exactly. Mr. Barnes, allow me tt
add my thanks to those of Miss Remsen.
You can readily appreciate why we pre-
fer to have this bauble in our own pos
session.
Mr.. Barnes thought that he could. HI
saw that lie was fairly caught, and thai
he could do nothing without making &
scene. He met a glance from Mr. Mitch
ell which we knew was meant to re
mind him of his promise not to annoy
Miss Remsen. He had about decided
that he had been fool to make such ;
promise and to have visited the place a
all when he suddenly changed his mint
as n servant announced:
"Mr. Alphonse Thauret."
Immediately the detective remember
ed the name. 1t was upon the card givei
to him by the Frenchman who had lef
the train at Stamford. lie was watchin,
Mr.. Mitchell when the newcomer wa
thus unexpectedly announced, and HI
thought he detected a glance of displeas
ure. We're these two men acquainted
accomplices perhaps?
Mr.: Mitchell, let me present Mr.
Thauret," said Dora.
Il have had the pleasure Of meetin,
the gentleman before" replied Mr.
Mitchell, and with stiff bow he crosset
to the side of Emily as though to pre-
vent an introduction to her. This o
course was impossible, and Mr.. Mitche
was plainly annoyed. Emily steppe,
forward, extended her hand to Mr.
Thauret, and then, turning, presente,
him to Mr.. Barnes. who had arisen, AM
who simply bowed.
4 h