The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-06
Finding the Diamonds


II guessed as much" replied his sis
ter. "She Is sitting on her chest, look
ing as guilty as red herring"
what Is to be done?"
I'VE shan't call in the police. The
girl has been making progress. and the
prison would put an end to all that. I
believe she will give us the ring yet
But it would be wrong to keep her
here. She shall pack up today and
leave tomorrow morning"
And Susan got notice accordingly.
II knew you wouldn't believe me-"
said the girl. gulping down a sob.
"Then why did you tell me such a
thing?"
Because it's true
Don't say any more. I don't want
to hear it, I don't suppose you will ex-
pect any wages"
Susan turned ghastly white. II must
have them" she gasped. My mother
needs the money to pay her rent. If
she doesn't get 1t they will turn her out
into the street. and she's not strong"
she doesn't intend to try to sell the
ring-at least not yet" thought Mrs.
Robinson. If give her her wages she
won't need to do it, and she'll send 1t
back"
AS the old lady lay awake in the mid
! die of the night the door was cautious-
~ pushed open and Susan came in
| silently.
Mrs. Robinson, are you awake?"
The question came in n terrified whis-
| per. Susan's eyes were starting out of
her head, and her teeth were chatter.
! ing.
What Is the matter, Susan?"
Master has gone up to the garret
| with candle. l think there Is some
thing wrong
Mrs. Robinson came hastily over hec
bed and followed Susan noiselessly
along the passage. a glimmer of light
shone through the banister above. Mrs.
Robinson saw that her brother was
coming downstairs. staring straight
ahead with his eyes dilated.
| He approached as stately as wax
figure, and almost brushed against
them. The light of the candle fell full
on their white, upturned faces as he
passed, but he took no notice Of them.
Down the next flight of stairs he
went, his sister and Susan following,
for they wanted to see what ne was
going to do. They lost sight Of him at
the foot of the stairs. but soon heard
its hinges. Stealing toward 1t they
peered through He was inside work
ing a stone in the wall, which in a few
moments he dislodged and set down on
the floor.
He next took an iron box out Of the
hole he had made, applied a key to it,
raised the lid and took some small ar
ticle out.
Then he replaced everything as It
had been before, and. carefully oblit-
Grating alb traces Of his operations
left the cellar.
AS he passed his sister and Susan
they saw that he carried the lost ring
between the forefnger and thumb of
his left hand.
He then made his way toward his
sisters room. into which he disap-
peared for a few seconds. Coming out
again he mounted the stairs in the
direction Of the garrct.
''It's no use following him." said
Mrs. Robinson. Il know the key he
used and can get 1t in the morning."
Mr.. John was coming down the gar
ret stairs again, and they both held
their breath in anxiety.
He came all right till he got about
half way down. and then. whether on
of his heels interviewed q tack or some
thing, no one will ever know. but all
at once his legs shot out in front ri
him and he went sailing down tho
stairs. missing one step more at every
bump.
With the supernatural dexterity
which characterizes the sonambulist
he managed to keep the candle in al
the time. and now set it down in the
lobby with a clank right end UP.
Mr. John rose with his face quite
serious. and without rubbing himself
or anything, went along the passage
and disappeared into his own bed
room.
1t is evidently not the first time II,
has walked in his sleep" said the oil
lady. "Ile must have visited the box
before. That is how the ring came t.
be found. 1t must have dropped or the
floor. To think that ! never had the
slightest suspicion. Susan. can YOU
ever forgive me?'
"Yes'm."
There, you see the ring on the toile,
: table. just where left it the night Il
went amissiny" remarked Mrs. Rob
inson, as they entered her bedroom