The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1897-02-06

| ing seemed 10 be more Improbable than
that there should be thief among
the brilliant throng that crowded the
rooms. Everything was conducted in
the most sumptuous and luxurious style,
a Hungarian band dscoursed the sweet
est of dance music, and the guests were
among the highest in the land.
For IA long while nothing occurred
of the smallest significance. But at
about two o'clock in the morning, while
l was sitting in a snug corner of the
conservatory, where cigarette smoking
was permitted, l noticed a. couple take
up a position in the opposite corner.
They were both young. and evidently
very much IN love with one another
The girl was handsomely dressed, and
wore some valuable jewels. In particu-
lar noticed a pair of diamond ear drops,
which had just come into fashion again.
Without being connoisseur of precious
stones, understand them well enough
| to know that these were very valuable
indeed, and likely to be worth several
hundred pounds.
These two young people were sitting
out during dance, and they flrted
all through set of lancers, without
any impotence at their length.
At last they got up and went into
| the ballroom again. On the chair where
the girl had been sitting, lay something
| shining. / strolled across and eX-
amined it. 1t was her vinaigrette, which
she had probably left there by accident.
l replaced it, thinking it might serve as
trap for our fashionable thief, if
he were in the neighborhocd, and with
drew to my corner, where was almost
| invisible.
Presently an old gentleman strolled
out to smoke cigarette. He was n
| tall, handsome, intellectual looking
man. with the air of true aristo-
crat. His name didn't know, but | had
noticed him chatting with the guests.
He was evidently known To everyone,
and was a man of social Importance.
Presently his eye caught the little
ieweled yinaigrette. He looked care
leSsly round the conservatory. To see
if he were observed. and picked it up.
lie now had his back to me. | was on
the point of stepping up to him, when
he turned round, and replaced the vinai
grette and walked quietly away.
1t was lucky | had not moved. !
should have looked rather foolish. Some
curious instinct babe me cross the con-
Servatory. and look at the vinaigrette
again. Without thinking about it,
put it to my nose.
The next thing | remember is that
found myself sitting in chair. Grad
ually things became clearer. The vim
aigrette lay by my side. twas drugged.
For few minutes had lost conscious
ness. | still felt dizzy and sick, but
knowing that everything depended on
my being prompt and acute, managed
with an effort to pull myself together.
Then arose the question: What should
do next? Should go-straight to the
man who had tampered with the vim
aigrette? A moments thought showed
me that that would be worse than use
less. | had no proof of anything. The
situation must be allowed to develop
itself before l interfered.
After some little reflection l decided
TO 90 back to the drawing-room, where
| could see what was going on. Under
any circumstances | must not lose sight
of the girl to whom the vina!grette be-
longed
For nearly half an hour | waited in
vain. She danced with two or three
different men, but did not seem to have
missed 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 if any of them had seer
her vinaigrette. Forsome time she got
no information, but presently a girl who
was passing, leaning ON a mans arm.
turned round and made some remark.
pointing with her fan to the conserva-
tory door. The owner of the vnai
CRETE gave little nod of thanks. and
hurried across the room.
All this time observed that the man
who had drugged the scent bottle. and
who was chatting with some of the peo-
ole standing about, watched the girl
closely.
As soon as she had left the drawing
room he broke Off his conversation and
s'rolled quietly toward the conservatory.
As he passed through the curtains I
noticed that he glanced round to see
# he were being followed.
That settled it; had found my man,
and must act promptly. Lady Bar
mouth was standing near the piano.
Remembering her injunction that there
was not. under any circumstances, to
be an expose or a scene, il was niece ssary
20 proceed with caution. caught her
eye without much difficulty. She un-
derstood at once that had something
to say, and disengaged herself from
her friends.
"Will you come with me to the con-
seryatory?" said, quietly. 81 believe
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 |
a troubled voice; sit must be hushed |
upo