Hutchinson gazette., 1901-12-12
IX--(contlnuod,)

"The bracelet could not have gone
without hands to take IT, Gerard re-
piled Lady Sarah, How else do you
account for It's disappearance"
IL believe there must be some
mlsapprehenson, some great mistake
in the affair altogether, Lady Sarah IL
apears ineomprehensible now, but ~
will be unrayeled"
"Ay, and In doublo-quick Time
wrathfully exclaimed the Colonel
"You must think you are talking TO
pack of idiots, Master Garard. Here
the bracelets was spread temptlngiy
out on table. you went into the
room, being hard up for money, nm
gored IL, wished for II, and both you
and the bracelet disappeared Sir
turning sharply TO the oficer-"did
clearer case ever 20 before juryT
Gerard Hope bit his lip, BE more
lust. Colonel" said he, your own
brothers son steal bracelet! v
"And | am happy my brother IS not
alive to know II" reJolned the Colonel
in An obstinate tone, Take him In
hand, Mr.. oHlcer; wen so to MARI
borough street, III Just change my
coat, and"
mo, no, you will not" cried Lady
Sarah, laying hold of the dressing
gown and the Colonel In It; you shall
not 70 nor Gerard either. Whether
he Is guilty or not, II must not De
brought against him publicly He
bears your name, Colonel, and 80 DO !,
and II would reflect disgrace on us ALL
"Perhaps you are made OF money,
my lady. II so, you may put up with
the loss OF $3.50 bracelet, ! don't
choose TO do So"
"Then, Colonel, you will, and you
must. Sir" added Lady Sarah to the
detective, I'VE are Obliged TO you for
your attendance and advice, but 1t
turns out to be family affair as you
perceive, and we must decline to
prosecute. Besides, Mr.. Hope may not
be guilty" -,
Alice rose and stood before Colonel
Hope. "Sir, II this charge were pre-
ferred against your nephew, II 1t came
10 trial, | think II would kill me. You
know my unfortunate state OF health;
the agitation, the excitement Of ap-
pearance TO give evidence, would be-
IL cannot continue; cannot speak
Of 1t without terror pray you, for
my sake, do not prosecute Mr. Hope
The Colonel was about TO storm
forth an answer, but her white face,
ner heaving throat, had some erect
even on him.
"He is so doggedly obstinate, Miss
Seaton. II he would but confess and
tell where 1t Is, perhaps I'd let him
off,"
Alice thought somebody else was OBJ
stlnate.
81 do not believe he has anything to
confess" she deliberately said; VI
truly believe that he has not, He could
not have taken 1t, unseen by me; and
when we quilted the room, feel sure
ihe bracelet was left in IT,"
1T was left In 1t, so help me heav-
en-" uttered Gerard,
And now I've got to speak" added
Frances CheneviX, Colonel, II you
were to press the charge against Ger
ard / would go before the magistrates
and proclaim myself the thief. vow
and protest would, just to save him,
and you and Lady Sarah could not
prosecute me, you know"
"You do we'll to stand up for him!"
retorted the Colonel. "You would not
be quite so ready to do 1t, though, my
Lady Fanny, If you knew something
could tell you"
"oh, yes, / should" returned the
young lady with vivid blush.
The Colonel, beset on all sides, had
no choice but to submit; but he did 80
with an III grace, and dashed out Of
the room with the officer as fiercely
as II he had been charging an enemy
at full tilt.
"The sentimental apes these women
make Of themselvesl" cried he in his
polite way, when he had got him in
private. "Ts II not a clear case of
guilt?"
ain my private opinion, 1t certainly
Is" was the reply; though he carries
1t Off with q high hand. suppose,
Colonel, you still wish the bracelet to
be searched for?"
Search in and out and high and
low; search everywhere. The rascal!
to dare even to enter my house in
secretl"
MAY inquire II the previous breach
with your nephew had to do with
money affairs?'
NO" said the Colonel, turning more
crusty at the thoughts called up. II
fixed up a wife for him and he would
MT have her; 80 turned him out Of
doors and stopped his allowance"
"0h," was the only comment Of the
police officer.
CHAPTER x.
It was In the following week, and