Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-02-14

SciOuS lear. AND LOOK at the related
facts; that she laid the bracelets there.
never left them, no one came in, and
yet the most valuable one vanished.
We have many extraordinary tales
brought before us. but not quite SO
extraordinary as that"
CHAPTER VIII.
The Colonel nodded appreciation;
Lady Sarah began to feel uncomforta-
BILE.
II should like to know whether any
.one called whilst you were at dinner"
mused the officer. "Can see the man
who attends to the hall door,"
Thomas attends to that said the
Colonel, ringing the bell. "There is a
side door, but that is only for the SER
wants and tradespeople.'
II heard Thomas say that Sir George
Danvers called while you were at din
ner," observed Lady Sarah. mo one
else. And Sir George did not go up
stairs
The detective smiled.
If he had, my lady, it would have
made the case no clearer"
"No," laughed Lady Sarah, poor
old Sir George would be puzzled what
to do with a diamond bracelet
Will you tell me- said the officer,
wheeling sharply around upon Thomas
when he entered, who it. was that
called here yesterday evening while
your master was at dinner? 1 do not
mean Sir George Danvers; the other
one
Thomas visibly hesitated; and that
was sufficient for the lynx-eyed officer.
Nobody called but Sir George, SIR
he presently said
The detective stood before the man
staring him full in the face with look
Of amusement
Think again, my man. quoth he
Take your time. There was some one
else"
The Colonel fell into an explosion;
reproaching the unfortunate Thomas
with having eaten his bread for five
years, to turn around upon the house
and its master at last, and act the
part of deceitful, conniving wretch,
and let In that swindler-
Hes not swindler, SIR" inter-
rupted Thomas. b..
"Oh, no, not swindler," roared the
Colonel, The only steals diamond
bracelets
mo more than I steal 'em, sir"
again spoke Thomas. "Ee's not capa-
BILE, sir. It was Mr.. Gerard" r..
The Colonel was struck speechless:
his rage vanished and down he sat in
"a chair, staring at Thomas. Lady
Sarah colored with surprise.
Now, my man." cried the officer,
why could you not have said it was
Mr.. Gerard 2"
Because Mr.. Gerard asked me not
to say he had been, sir; he is not
friendly here just now, and I promised
him / would not. And I'm sorry to
have had to break my word"
who is Mr.. Gerard, pray?"
He is my nephew" interposed the
checkmated Colonel Gerard Hope"
But as Thomas says, be is no
swindler,'' remarked Lady Sarah; she
Is no thief. You may go, Thomas"
No. SIR" stormed the Colonel
fetch Miss Seaton here first. I'll
come to the bottom of this. If he has
uoAAS - Ie'oS Oe1A Oil, Will OiAhS AiH
to trial, though he is Gerard Hope"
Alice came back leaning on the
arm Of Lady Frances Chenevix; the
latter having been dying with curios
dty to come in before.
so the mystery is out. ma'am," be-
gan the Colonel to Miss Seaton; cit
appears this gentleman was right and
that somebody did come in; and that
somebody the rebellious Mr.. Gerard
Hope"
Alice was prepared for this, for
Thomas had told her Mr.. Gerard's visit
was known; and she was not so agi-
tated as before. It was the fear Of It's
being found out, the having to conceal
it. which had troubled her. .