Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-03-04

i
She was thankful for the interruption,
for she was becoming seriously alarmed
at Percy's manner; and, drawing the
box towards her, she opened it. 1t con-
tanned necklace of fine diamonds,
which had been selected some time be-
fore, and set according to Mrs. Tunstalls
directions. She examined them and ex-
pressed her approval. 1T is twenty-five
hundred dollars, is it not?" she said.
TWENTY-FIVE hundred dollars" re-
peated the salesman, softly.
She looked around for her muff, which
Percy had just replaced on the counter.
She slipped her hand in it and uttered
an exclamation. Then she sent quick
glance over the counter and on the floor
'sHave you seen it," she said in star
tied tone.
81 beg your pardon" said the sales
man, blandly. Percy maintained a
gloomy silence and an distracted gaze.
my pocket book-and some money in
bank notes. had them in my muff, !"
she exclaimed.
"Have you'' she went on, turning
to Percy.
He looked at her uncomprehendingly.
"What is it?" he demanded
"My purse-and the money. Why,
you had my muff just now. Didn't
you"
did have your muff? WASN'T aware
of it. l know nothing about it, said he.
unconcernedly.
"But | can't lose tit must be found
lit was right therer' she exclaimed
again. 1T can't have disappeared into
nothingw
MAY inquire if the sum was large
one?" put in the salesman, softly.
"Why, yes! there were twenty five
hundred dollars and some smaller notes
in the purse I had brought it to pay
for the necklace"
By this time several persons had col
lected, drawn by the evident agitation of
the handsome young lady; among them
was small, bright looking man, with
an alert and confident manner. He sub
jected Mrs Tunstall and Percy to keen
but unobtrusive scrutiny.
Perhaps you put it in your pocket,
Percy suggested, who, on hearing so
large sum mentioned, had begun to
arouse himself from his curious apathy
She put her hand in the pocket of her
dress and felt in it anxiously, then shook
her head.
'tNo," she said, land, besides, recol-
lect it all now distinctly. put the money
in my purse when / went out this morn
ing, and put the purse in my muff, as
always do. When | got here | took out
the purse and took the notes from it,
Pardon me, madam" interposed the
bright looking man at this point; II am
connected with this establishment, and it
is my duty to Investigate cases of missing
articles Can you state what was the de-
nomination of the bills representing the
sum of money-twenty- five hundred dol
lars | think you said?'
There were four bank notes" Mrs.
Tunstall replied; lone of thousand dol
lars, and three of five hundred each.
THANK you, said the man, making
note on some tablets in his hand do
you recollect the numbers of the notes or
the banks they belonged tor
She shook her head Il didn't look
she said.
''You took these notes out of your
purse, you say
Il took them out so as to have them
ready | was little nervous about car
rying SO much money and l thought if
should lose the purse would have the
money separate. But now it is all gomez
after taking the notes out of your
purse, what did you do with them?" pur-
sued the bright looking man
II held them in my hand in my muff;
in this hand, indicating her left. Then,
just as | came up to the counter, this
gentleman spoke to me.
''This gentleman is friend of yours?"
Mrs. Tunstan hesitated and colored.
IT am acquainted with him-slightly ac-
quainted with him" she said at length.
"Will you obiige me with your name,
sir?' said the other, turning to Percy.
Il don't know what my name has got
to do with It'll" returned Percy, rather
brusquely ''Who are your
The man turned back the lapel of his
coat and showed the badge of the Central
Detective bureau.
Il am attending to my business, SIR"
he said, land as you were in this Iady's
company at the time the loss occurred
you will be needed as witness, if for no
other purpose!' He pronounced the last
words in peculiar tone, which caused
Percy to turn upon him sharply.
What do you mean by that?" he de-
handed
Il mean, sir, that it is proper for me
to make a note of your name, the detec-
tive replied. Il have no power at pres
ent to make you give it, however,
ooh, have no objection" Percy re-
turned, carelessly. Here is my card"
and he handed it to the other, who read
it, nodded and slipped it into his pocket
Now, madam, what did you do after
this gentleman spoke to your
II answered him. .
did you still hold the money in your
hand?'
NO" she said, after a moments
thought. Il took my hand out of the