The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-10-10

to smoke cigarette. lie was tan.
handsome, intellectual-looking man, with
the air of the true aristocrat. His name
1 didn't know, but l noticed him chat
ting with the guests. He was evidently
known to every one, and was man of
social Importance.
Presently his eye caught, the little jew
eed vinaigret. He looked carelessly
round the conservatory. to see If 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 vinaigret and
walked quietly away.
1t was lucky l had not moved. L
should have looked rather foolish. Some
curious instinct babe me cross the con-
servatory and look at the vinaigret
again. Without thinking about it. put
it to my nose.
The next thing I remember is that l
ually things became ciearer. "The vinai-
gret lay by my side. 1t was 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 al arose the sho question: M Wv Mn h
to the man who had tempered with the
vinaigret? 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 it
self before l interfered.
After some little reflection, | 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 i'll
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 seen her
vinaigret. For some time she got no in
formation. but presently a girl who was
around and made some remark. pointing
with. her fan to the conservatory door.
The owner of the yinaigret gave n 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 if he
were being followed.
That settled it: | had found my mar.
and must act promptly. Lady yarmouth
was standing near the piano. Remember
ing her injunctions that there was not,
under any circumstances, to be an expose
Or scene. 1T 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. cit must be hushed up
found, just as [ had expected, the young
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
happened? Her diamond eardrops have
disappeared"
do you know who it is?" she wills
pered.
eyes Her vinaigret has been drugged
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.
Every well,' 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 case as | did at that min
ute. The man whom Lady Barmouth
had pointed out as her husband was the
had followed Miss DaintOn into the con
servatory. In a word, Lord yarmouth
was a 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.
'What's the matter?' he said, huskily.
SIS anything wrOng!'
Miss Dainton has tainted"
oh he murmured, with relief.
"And her eardrops have Disappeared
! added For moment | thought he
was going to drop down. l put my arm
through his and led him toward the con-
seryatory. He was trembling life a leaf
When he got well into the shadow of
the curtains [ stopped. Lord Bar
mouth, l said, quietly, ''take my advice
and give them up to me at once"
What do you mean?' he said, hoarse-
''Thee eardrops. 1t will prevent a
scene
He put trembling hand into the
breast pocket of his dresscoat and gave
me the eardl ops. He did it like man