The Holly chieftain., 1902-01-24
ECHA,pTER VII.

CHATTER Val.
Had ehe been requested to 60 before
! magistrate and testify that she, hsr-
self. was the guilty person. II could
scarcely have aiIected her more. Her
cheeks grew white. her lips parted, and
her eyes assumed beseeching look Of
terror. Lady Hope hastily pushed Z
chair behind her, and drew her down
upon It.
Really, Alice. You are very foolish
to allow yourself to be excited about
nothing, - she remonstrated; s'you
would have fallen on the floor in an
other miAute. What harm is there In
taking m oath-and in privats
roonf you are not Chartist. or =
M0rmon-or whatever the people call
themsslv0, who profess to object TO
oeths. on principle.''
Tho omcer's eyes were still keenly
fixed on Alice Seaton's. and she cow
cred visibiy beneath his gaze.
will you assure me. on your sacred
word, that no person did enter the
room 2. he repeated, in a low. arm
tone, which somehow carried her to
the terrible belief that he believed that
she was trifing with him.
She looked at him, gasped, and
looked again; and then she raised her
handkerchief in her hand and wiped
her damp and ashy face.
II think some one did come in"
whispered the oficer in her ear; "try
and recollect." And Alice fell back in
Mysteries.
Lady Sarah led her from the room,
herself speedily returning to it.
You see how weak and nervous Miss
Seaton is," was her remark to the ON
Ger. but glancing at her husband. "She
has been an invalid for years, and is
not strong like other people. felt
sure we should have scene Of some
kind; that is why / wished the investi-
cation not to be gone into hurriedly."
Don't you think there are good
grounds for an investigation, sir?" tes-
tily asked Colonel Hope of the oficer.
II must confess do think So" was
the reply.
"Of course, you hear, my lady. The
dffhculty is, how can We obtain the nrst
clue to the mystery"
II do not suppose there will be an
insurmountable diniculty.' observed
the officer Il believe have obtained
one"
s'"You are clever fellow, then"
cried the Colonel. III you have OBJ
tanned It here, What is Ht?''
"Will Lady Sarah allow me to men
tion it-whatever 1t may be-without
taking offense?" continued the oficer.
looking at her ladyship.
She bowed her head, wondering
much.
What's the good of standing upon
CEREMONY" peevlshly put in Colonel
Hope. "Her ladyship will be as glad
as we shall be to get back her brace
let: more glad, one would think. A
clue to the thief! Who can 1t have
been" ~
The detective smiled. When men
are ~ high In the police forcs as he.
they have learned to give every: word
it, due significance. II did not say
clue to the thief. Colonel; I said 4 clue
to the mystery"
Where's the difference?'
Pardon me, 1t is indisputably per-
ceptible. That the bracelet is gone. Is
q payable fact: but by whose hands 1t
went, Is as yet mystery"
What do you suspect?"
! Il suspect" returned the oficer. low
erinG his voice, that Miss seaton
knows how 1t went"
There was silence OF surprise; ON
Lady sarah's part, of indignation.
rs It possible that you suspect
herr" uttered Colonel Hope.
mo" said the officer, II do not sus-
pect herself; she appears not to be
suspicious person in any way; but
believe she knows who the delinquent
Il, and that fear, or some other motive,
keeps her silent. Is she ON familiar
terms with any OF the servantsfn
But you cannot know what you are
saying!" interrupted Lady sarah. sFa-
miliar with the servants! Miss Seat
ON 10 q gentlewoman. and has always
moved in high society. Her family IL
little inferior to mine. and better
better than the Coionel's,' z concluded
her ladyship, determined to speak out.
tTo be continued.)
s54t II -. - .-- 49, .
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