Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-10-10

handsome, inteilectual-looking man, with
the air Of the true aristocrat. His name
| didn't know, but l noticed him chat
ting with the guests. He was evidently
known 10 every one, and was a man Oh
social Importance.
Presently his eye caught the little jew
eled vinaigret. He looked carelessly
round the conservatory, to see II he were
observed, and picked it up. He now had
his back to me. | was on the point of
stepping Up to him, when he turned
round and replaced the vlnalgret ana
walked quietly away.
1t was lucky had not moved. l
should have looked rather foolish: Some
curious instinct babe me cross the con-
servatory and look at the vinaisret
again Without thinking about it, L put
it to my nose.
found myself sitting in a chair. Grad
ually things became ciearer. The vlnai-
eret lay by my side. 1t was drugged.
For a few minutes [ had lost conscious
ness. I still felt dizzy and sick, but
knowing that everything depended OH
with an effort to pull myself together.
Then arose the question: What
should I do next? Should [ go straight
to the man who had tempered with the
vinaigret? A moments thought showed
me that that would be worse than use
L
situation must be allowed to develop it
self before I interfered.
After some little reflection. I decided
to go 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 vinaigret 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 a group of girls. Evidently she
was asking if any of them had seen her
vinaigret. For some time she got no in
formation, but presently girl who was
passing, leaning on a man arm, turned
around and made some remark, pointing
with her fan to the conservatory door
The owner Of the vinaigret 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 peo-
pie standing about, watched the girl
closely.
AS soon as she had left the drawing
room he broke off his conversation and
strolled quietly toward the conservatory.
AS he passed through the curtains | no.
ticed that he glanced around to see II he
were being followed.
That settled it; | had found my man.
and must act promptly. Lady yarmouth
was standing near the piano. Remember
ing her in functions that there was not,
under any circumstances, to be an expose
or a scene, it was necessary to proceed
with caution. l caught ner eye without
| much difficulty. She understood at once
that | had something to say, and Olsen
gagged herself from her friends.
"Will you come with me to the con-
servatory?" [ said quietly. Il believe [
! have solved the mystery"
She turned pale. Very WELL" she said.
Give me your arm. Be careful what you
do. Mr.. Love-" she added in a troubled
voice. at must be hushed up
When we reached the conservatory We
lady lying back in a chair unconscious.
Her eardrops were missing.
Miss Dainton has tainted" said Lady
yarmouth.
"One moment" I said "there is no
cause for alarm. Do you see, what has
/ disappeared"
DO you know who it is?" she wills
| pered
Yes. Her vinaigret has been druggee'
not sufficiently to do her any harm. l
| saw it DONE
What shall I do? Fetch Lord Bar
mouth, will you? he must advise me-
(Which is Lord Barmouth?"
| She came to the curtains and pointed
| him out to me.
VERY WE'LL" said I. "Chafe Miss Dam
| toms hands, and try to bring her around,
but don't send for any help at present"
[ don't think [ ever felt so reluctant to
proceed with a case as I did at that min
ute. The man whom Lady yarmouth
had pointed out as her husband was the
man who had drugged the vinaigret-who
had followed Miss Dainton into the con
servatory. In a word, Lord yarmouth
was kleptomaniac.
''Will you come with me into the con-
servatory. Lord Barmouth?" [ said. AS
| spoke [ looked him sternly in the face.
He turned deathly white, and his eyes
shifted nervously about the room:
whats the matter?' he said, huskily.
''Is anything wrong?"
! Miss Dainton has fainted.'
ooh" he nurmured, with relief.
''And her eardrops have disappeared,
I added For Il moment [ thought he
| through his AID led him toward the con-
servatory. He was trembling life leaf.
When he got we'll into the shadow of
| the. curtains | stopped. Lord Bar
mouth [ said, quietly. take my advice
and give them up to me at once.
What do you mean?' he said, hoarse-
1.-THE eardrops. 1t will prevent a
scene.'
He put trembling hand into the
breast pocket of his dresscoat and gave
ne the eardrops. He did it like man