Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-06-11

hfnd, then threw him into the advanc-
ing crowd, and, in the confusion, escap-
ed from the house"
Mr.. Mitchell paused, and silence pre-
vailed. All felt, rather than knew, that
a tragedy might be at hand. Mr.. Thau-
ret, however, in a moment said:
"Are you not going to tell us the
name of this sneak theft"
"No," quickly responded Mr.. Mitch
ell. "But you are wrong to call my sus-
pect a sneak thief If crime were a rec
ognized business, as gambling in Wall
street is now considered, this man
would be counted "a bold operator
confess that admire him for his cour-
age. But it would scarcely do for me to
mention his name, when l am not in
the position to prove that be is the
guilty man.
81 thought you said that you saw
him steal the ruby?" said Mr.. Thauret.
81 did, but as myself had been sus-
pected of that my unsupported word
would be inadequate. Let me tell you
what l have done in the matter since,
The most important step for me perhaps
was to prevent the sale of the gem.
This was not difficult, as it is known
the world over. warned all dealers
and let my man know that 1 had done
go. Next, wished to delay denoue-
ment until tonight, the time when my
wager with Mr.. Randolph would be
settled. l soon discovered that my sus-
pect would not be averse to a marriage
with a rich American girl He ques-
toned me adroitly as to the fortune
which would come to my little sister,
inlaw, and replied in such way that
l knew he would bend his energies in
that direction. Then I did that which
perhaps l should not have done, but I
felt myself master of the situation and
able to control events l made wager
with Dora that she would not remain
unengaged until tonight, and 1 stipu-
lated that should she have offers she
should neither accept nor reject suit
or. I also told her, though l declined to
fully explain how, that she would ma
terially assist me in winning my wa
ger"
This explains what Dora meant when
she asked Mr. Randolph if money would
count with him against her love. When
she accepted the wager with Mr.. Mitch
el, she had been feeling resentful to-
ward Mr.. Randolph, who, as long as he
suspected his friend Of the graver crimes,
hesitated to become connected with him
by marriage. This made him less atten-
tive to Dora, so that she had not thought
Of him as a suitor when making the
bet When he declared himself, she rec
ognized her predicament and was corre-
spondingly troubled, yet determined to
win, and so acted as related.
By this time, though Mr.. Mitchell
had not mentioned the name of the
criminal, several present knew to whom
be was alluding. Mr.. Randolph said
impetuously:
"Then that explains Here he stop
ped, confused.
Eyes" said Mr.. Mitchell, smiling,
THAT explains everything that has per-
picked you. Be reconciled for the time
you have been made to wait, for you
will now not only win the lady, but
will recover this check, for must pass
it over to her as forfeit. Gentlemen,
shall we drink to the health and sue
cess of Mr.. Randolph"
This was done in silence The guests
felt constraint. They knew that more
was yet to come and anziously waited
for it.
Mr.. Mitchell continued: "Gentlemen,
hat ends my story, except that I en-
gagged Mr.. Barnes to take up the threads
Of evidence which I gave him and to
lisentangle them if he could. Shall we
hear his report?'