Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-26

most OF the night before with Denis, l
was dead beat with acting and dancing
by ill luck fell asleep. Whom woke
up found to my horror that it was close
on O'clock | instantly slipped off my
shoes and crcpt out of my room and
down tho stairs. could no. get to the
library from the hall. as the stage blocked
the way, and l had to go all tho way
round by the drawing room and morning
room. AS went / thought how easy it
would be for Carr to force the lock of
the drawer, and SO it flashed across me
could l? Oh, Ralphl" said Charles, IL
went down solely to look after your
property for you, but did think of 1t.
hope should not have done 1t, but
suddenly remembered how hard pressed
was for money, and | did think of the
crescent and how you would hardly miss
it and how-but what does it matter
nowl When l got to the library
found I WAS too late. The look of tho
drawer had been forced and it was emp
ty. There was nothing for 1t but to 40
back to my room. felt rs certain that
Carr had done 1t as that aln standing
here; but dared say nothing next
morning, for fear Of. drawing an ever
ready parental suspicion on myself
which, however, Middleton did for mo.
All I could do was to keep Carr well in
sight until the theft was found out, to
prevent any possibility Of his escaping,
and then 10 accuse him. There!" said
Charles, that is tho whole truth. Carr
did not take the jewels. That is abso-
lutely proved, and the sooner he is let
out the better. Who took them heaven
only knows! Idon't. But know who
meant to, and that was Carr"
"Charles," said Ralph, with glisten-
ing eyes, "if ever get them back you
shall have the crescent
/ "a very neat little story altogether, y
said Sir George, land tho episode Of
temptation very effectively thrown in.
1t does you credit. my son. and Ia great
relief to your old fathers mind"
THANK you, Charles, said Marston,
getting up. ''sir George, it is close on
luncheon time and Carr must be let out
at once. Now that Charles has 30 com
pletely cleared himself dou't see that
anything mqrs can be done for tho mo-
ment. and Of ono thing an certain,
namely, that yon are making yourself
much worse and must keep absolutely
quiet for the rest of tho day. If may
advise, Ishoua suggest that Carr should
be allowed to leave, as he wishes to do,
by the afternoon train, and should not
BIO pressed to stay. There is nothing
moro to be got out of him, and consider
ing the circumstances / should say the
sooner he is out OF tho house the better.
AS he has been wrongly suspected, l
think the robbery had better not DO men
toned to any one, even tho ladies in the
house, until after he has left"
"Aurelia knows" said Ralph. "She
was with me in the library. left her
crying bitterly about them"
Let her cry, if she viii only hold her
tongue" said Sir George, making u last
effort to speak, but evidently at tho ex-
IRENE point OF exhaustion. "And you.
Marston, you arc right about Carr. See
that he goes this afternoon. There is
nothing moro to be done at present
Charles, you will remain here, though
have no doubt you have On engage
ment in London. l cannot spare you
just yet.
Charles bowed and he and Marston
went out. I remained a second behind
with Ralph.
II see 1t quiteclearly, said Sir George.
u know Charles. Flo is sharp enough.
He saw Carr meant mischief, and he was
beforehand with him. and he took what
Carr meant to take. It was not badly
imagined, but no should have made GER
tain Carr was sleeping In the house. 1t
all turned on that. He never reckoned
on the possibility Of Carr being cleared. ("
middleton is still hero, " said Ralph,
significantly, who was pouring out some
thing for his father.
SIS he? thought he was gonel" said
Sir George, SO sharply that considered
1T advisable to retire at once.
Charles and Marston were talking to-
gether earnestly In tho passage.
HE does not believe word say"
said Charles, as l joined them; .'and
what is moro I could SEQ he had told
Ralph he suspected me before we came
In. Did not you see how Ralph tried to
stop me when he thought I was COM
hitting myself by accusing Carr, who
1t seems was quite out Of the question?
am glad you cut 1t short, Marston.
He was making himself worse every
moment"
Come on with that key of yours and
let us go and let out Carr" replied Mars
ton, patting Charles kindly on tho back,
'or no will DO kicking all the paint off
the door"
mo. hel" said Charles. IAN honest
man would have r1ng up the whole
household and nearly battered tho door
down by this time. thinking.it had been
locked by mistake. Carr knows better"
We had reached the smoking room by
this time, just as thegong was beginning
to sound for luncheon, and under cover
Of the noiso Charles fitted the key into
the keyhole and unlocked the door. He
and Marston went slowly in, talking on
some indifferent subject, and / followed.
CHAPTER X.
IN