, 1902-08-15

Nv 4AtSNhOhs h6 A01
1 do next? Should 1 go straight to the
man who had tempered with the vinnis-
rette? A moments thought showed me
tina would be worse than useless. I had
no proof of anything. The situation must
be allowed to develop itself before l inter
fered.
After some little reflection I decided to
go back to the d-rawing-room. where I
could see what was going on. Under any
circumstances l must not lose sight OF
the girl to whom the yinaigrette belonged.
For nearly half an hour l waited in 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 a group of girls. Evidently she
was asking IL any one of them had seen
her vinaigrette. For some time she got
no information, but presently a girl wfo
was passing. leaning on a mans arm,
turned round and made some remark,
| pointing with her fan to the conservatory
door. The owner of the vinaigrette gave
a little nod of thanks and hurried acress
the room.
All this time / observed that the man
who had drugged the scent bottle. anc
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 ana
strolled quietly toward the conservatory
AS he passed through the curtains l no.
ticed that he glanced round to see IL he
were being followed.
That settled It; / had found my man.
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 ex-
pose or scene, 1t was necessary to pro-
coed with caution. / caught her eye with
out much difficulty. She understood at
once that l had something to say and
d~isengaged herself from her friends.
'TWill you come with me to the conserv-
atory?" I asked quietly. II believe I have
solved the mystery"
She turned pale. Very WELL" she said.
Give me your arm. Be careful h you
do, MI. Love- she added. in a troubled
voice. at must be hushed up"
When we reached the conservatory we
found, Just as 1 had expected. the young
lady lying back in a chair unconscious.
Her ear-drops were missing.
Miss Dainton has tainted" said Lady
yarmouth.
ansa 70. ararm m ,a,; sae what has
Sa~~o.sa, L. amona aar-aron. have
,.Ipr-.a-
~ : - ,s,, ,ha urls
pered. ).
Yes. Her vinaigrette has been drugged
mot snmc,ent,v to do her any harm. 1
saw ~ done"
.svhat shall 7 dor Fetch Lord Bar
mouth win Won? He must advise me-"
(Which ia Lord Rarmouth?.H
She came TO the curtains and pointed
h,u o,t 20 MO -.
|. very "eh' eaiu S "l'
.ons "aiius a"u ~ - ~
y eon. s.nu ~ ny o.
= uon. 'H : ose' - -.
! pioceeu az Ss : -.
u'e' a niaA
ss ,N~. d. .,-s
- ,Imes Nj. Datrton tr+o +ba con-
nao 1oi'"eu N"ss Dao
serVatoy. !" q ""u' Ao
"aSa
WI you come win me ,n,o II CON
~serVapry' boru Darou'n
l spole l looked nm sterniy ~ race
ne tlrheu uea.his "h'e' ""o "' e'''
shnIeo nervousiy aoout .ne .
"Wnats the matter! n . asAeu' hush-
lily. rs awning wrong
MISS Daih'oh q
On. ne muiihureo WIN eirei
AND her ear-orops nave oisappeaieu'
l aooeo' foF ohieh u.s. ="
was going to drop down. I put my arm
his and led him toward the con-
servatory. He was trembling Xix a lear.
When he got well Into the shadow OF the
curtains. l stopped. LORD yarmouth l
said quietly, take my ADVICE anu give
them up to me at once.
What do you mean? he asked, hoarse-
ly.
Inc eaf-uiops. ""
lie put u ueHipiihs nan" Az 40