The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-04

made al your order"
! Twinltleton could scarcely trust him
self to speak for a few moments. lie
felt himself in dilemma. He did not
want to tell the jcwelcr that the paste
diamonds came from his wife's Iewelry
case. nor did he want to explain any
thing about the other bracelet.
Spriggs's decision had rather unnerved
him, and he wanted TO get out of the
store without revealing the object OF
the examination of the two bracelets.
Il was told. MIR. Sprigg's" he said.
after long pause, that gems of this
| character could, he initiated without
danger of detection. 1t is only little
whim Of mine. | see nothing can de-
ceive yon. Good morning."
| He was not satisfied with the way in
which he got out of an explanation.
while. as Tor MIR. Spriggs, that polite
gentleman merely bowed and smiled.
Twinkleton's next step was in the di-
rection of detective agency. on be-
ing ushered into the presence of the
chief he said:
"Mr. Sharpigh, l have q case of
some delicacy to lay q" you. l
want it settled quickly ietly."
Mr.. Sharpigh was II some
thing about his being th, very man
for that kind of business, when his
visitor proceeded:
Here are two bracelets The stones
in one are genuine diamonds in the
other they are paste. The genuine
bracelet was made expressly for me
as a wedding present for my wife. l
found it yesterday in a pawn brokers'
window on Clark street. The other
| bracelet-this with the paste gems-l
found last night in my wife's jewel
| box"
Twinkleton paused and Sharpigh's
nose went up into the air as though
he shifted mystery fr )rl afar.
What do you make of the circum-
stance" asked Twinkleton, rather
IanxiOuslv.
Pardon me-" responded the detec-
tive cautiously, what do you infer
from it,"
"I thought at first when I saw the
diamonds in the shop window" re-
piled Twnkleton. with a suspicion of
a sigh. that Gertrude--this is. my
wife--had had a sudden demand for
money and had pledged the bracelet.
But there was really no need"
Twinlileton paused again and Shar-
pigh felt called upon to suggest:
No occasion for her raising it in
that way ] see Wcll?"
"Well, hang it, was the response in
angry, surging tones. that genuine
bracelet was sold to the pawnbroker
about month ago by Alfred Selkirk.
Selkrk is an acquaintance of my wife;
| moves in her set; his sister is a friend
of my wife. What does it mean? Paste
diamonds in my wifes jewel case and
the wedding present in a pawnbroker's
shop. Hang it, man, cannot you sug-
gest something, instead of sitting
| all eyes and earS?"
Sharpigh smiled at this outbreak He
knew what was the matter. and he
watched Mr.. Twinkleton mop his fore
head eXcitedly with some degree of
| pleasure. If there is anything that
Sharpigh delights in it is the unravcl-
ment of domestic complications whose
avenues lead TO the divorce court But
the detective is willy withal in his husi-
| ness
1T is very suspicious circumstance"
he said slowly. You have no reason
| to suspect"
"Confound it, sir,' broke in the eX-
cited man, this thing has come upon
me like a thunderclap. | thought and
knew nothing. We were evidently made
for each other. Could MT he anybody
| happier. But. by -~--. sir if there is
| exchange of bracelets in this strange
| manner, what else may there not be?
| Probe this mystery sir. at whatever
cost. Don't spare money and do MT
spare my feelings Prove her innocence
| or prove her"
Twinkleton broke down with some
thing like a groan. The detective wait
ed few moments before saying. much
to Twinkleton's dismay, that the case
looked simple enough.
II will be plain with YOU" ne said
Il believe in being plain in such cases,
for it saves future trouble and heart
| burn. For some reason or other Selkirk
| Possesses the confidence of your wife.
He has been in financial trouble and
she has loaned him the genuine brace
le; to help him out. The other one was
manufactured so as to keep your mind
easy in case anything should lie said
| about the bracelet at any time Be-
| side. she might want to wear il before
the genuine article could be returned
1t is a simple case. sir"
"Simple!" groaned Twinlleton. Yes,
it is simple, Wen. what's to be done p"
That depends upon yourself. If you
| contemplate divorce"
| TWinkletOn groaned again and pulled
| his mOustache nervously.
IF you contemplate divorce you had
| better watch for further DEVELOPMENTS.
| Don't show that you suspect. but the
| genuine bracelet back in the Jewel
case. | will take care of the other Half
the battle is fought when we know the
name Of the man in the case. | will pull
the thing through in no time"
Half regretting his visit and yet fully
determined to be revenged on the de-
Stroyer of his happiness. Twinkletun
drew out check for a godly sum and
| told the deteStive to go ahead
spare her as much as you can" was
the injunction. but drag him through
fire and birthstone if necessary"
Contrary to promise, Twinkleton was
not at home at his usual hour that
night, He dined at the club. To his
wife he offered no explanation, nor did
she ask any. But the shadow of dis
trust spread over them like a pail. Mr..
| TWinkletOn could not account for the
change. All his efforts at Cancellation
| were cOdly repulsed Innocent of
wrong doing on her part. she fretted
ana mOaned in her chamber, hoping
| for something to occur to tighten the
gloom. while Twinketon, inwardly
fuming at the supposed desolation of his
home, sought relief in business activity
and the questionable comforts of his
club.