Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-02-13

servatory. and look at the vinaigrette
again. without thinking about II, put
II to my nose.
The next thing I remember u, that
found myself sitting In a chair. Grad.
ually, things became clearer. The
vinaisrctte lay by my side. Il was
druggcd. For few minutes had lost
consciousness. I still felt dizzy and
sick, but knowing that everything de-
pended on my being prompt and acute.
I managed with an effort to pull myself
together.
Thenar the question. What should
I do next1 Should 60 straight to the
man who had tempered with the vinai.
grette3 A moments thought showed
me that that would be worse than use
less. I had no proof Of anything. The
situation must be allowed to develop
Itself before I interfered.
After some little reflection, I decided
to 60 back to the drawing room. where
I could see what was going on. Under
any circumstances must not lose sight
Of the girl to whom the vinaigretts BE-
longed.
For nearly half an hour I waited In
vain. She danced with two or three
different men. but did not seem to have
miAsed It
At last, after one Of the dances, she
appeared to be looking for something.
With what was, presume. an apology
to her partner. she skipped across the
room to group Of girls. Evidently she
was asking II any Of them had seen her
vinaigrette. For some time she got no
Information, but presently . girl who
was passing. leaning on q mans arm,
turned round and made some remark,
pointing with her fan to the conserva.
tory door. The owner Of the vinaisrctte
gave little nod Of thanks, and hurried
across the room.
All this time I observed that the man
who had drugged the scent bottle, and
who was chatting with some Of the
people standing about watched the girl
closely.
A. soon a. she had left the dra wing.
room he broke OF bis conversation, and
strolled quietly toward the conserve
tory. Al he passed through the cur.
tains I noticed that he glanced around
to 80 II he were being followed.
That settled It; had found my man,
and must net promptly. Mrs. Register
was standing near the plano. Remem.
bering her INJUNCTION that there was
not. under any circumstances. to be an
expose or o scene. II was necessary to
proceed with caution. caught her eye
without much dlniculty. She under.
stood at once that had something to
say. and dlsengaged herself from her
friends.
"Will you come with me to tho con.
servatory9" said, quietly. II believe
I have solved the mystery"
She turned pale. every WE'LL" she
said. "Give me your arm. Be careful
what you do. Mr.. Love-" she added, In
q troubled voice; 1T must be hushed
up"
When We reached the conservatory
we found, Just az expected. the young
lady lying back Ia chair unconscious.
Her ear drops were missing.
"Aiiss Benton has tainted" said Mrs.
Register.
Zone moment" I said: "thers ID no
cause for alarm. DO you see what has
happened2 Herdiamond ear.drops have
disappeared"
"Do you know who 1t is9" she whls-
pered.
Eyes. Her vinaigrette has been drug.
ged-not suniciently to do her any
harm. saw It DONE"
"What shall do? Fetch General
Register. will you? He must advise
me-"
(which II General Register?"
She came to the curtains and pointed
him out to me.
"Very WE'LL" I said. "Chafe Miss
Bent0n's hands. and try to bring her
round, but don't send for any help at
present"
! don't think ever felt 20 reluctant
to proceed with case as ! did at that
minute. The man whom Mrs. Register
had pointed out as her HUSBAND was the
man who had drugged the vinaigrette
who had followed Miss Benton into
the conservatory. In a word, General
Register was q kleptomaniac.
"Will you come with me into the con-
servatory, General?" I said. As I spoke
! looked him sternly In the face. He
turned deadly white. and his eyes shift
ed nervOusly about the room.
whats the matter?" he said. husk-
lily. rs anything wrong?"
"Aiiss Benton has tainted"
"Oh." he murmured with relief.
"And her ear-dr0ps have disappear
ed" added. For moment l thought
he was going to drop down. put my
arm through his. and led him toward.
the conservatory. He was trembling
like leaf.
When we got well Into the shadow of
the curtains ] stopped. General Regis |
ter" ! said. quietly, stake my advice.
and give them up to me at once"
"What do you meanT he said.
hoarxely.
THE ear-drops. 1t will prevent a |
scene"
He put q trembling hand into the
breast pocket of his dress coat and gave
me the ear'dr0ps. He did It like q man
In q dream, and really believe that
for the time being he was unconscious.
T.