The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-06-02

pUlhAff ) SOhSt
moment before replying, deliberately
made one or two more sweeps with his
razor, then turned and faced the detect
i've.
II mean, Mr.. Barnes, that you forgot
that was looking into "a mirror.
Your remark indicated that meant
to steal. "
Did it2 lam sorry But really you
should not ADOPT "a thief's stealthy
methods If you are so sensitive, When |
invite a gentleman into my private
room, do not expect to have him fin
gering my clothing while my back is
turned.
Take care, Mr.. Mitchell. you are
speaking to a detective, If | did stretch
my hand toward your clothing, it was
with no wrong intent, and you know it, F"
Certainly | do, and what is moro |
know just what You were wishing to do,
You must not get angored so easily. |
should not have used the words which |
did, but to tell you the truth l was
piqued "
II don't understand -
1T hurt my feelings to have you treat
me just like an ordinary criminal That
you should think would let you come
in hero aud make whatever examina-
tions you have in your mind right be-
fore my very eyes wounded my pride, |
never should have turned my back upon
you except that ! faced mirror. | told
you | know what you wished to do, 1t
was to examine tho buttons On my vest
was it not:"
Mr. Barnes was staggered, but did
not show it. Calmly he said;
AS you know, | overheard your con-
versation on the train You spoke Of
having a set Of five curious buttons
and
Pardon me, | said six, not five.
Once more Mr.. Barnes had failed to trap
the man. He suggested five, hoping that
Mr., Mitchell might claim that to have
been the original number, thus elmi-
mating the lost one.
"Of course you did say six, now | re-
membor," he continued, "and / think
ydu will admit it was not unnatural Gu
riosity which led me to wish to see them,
that--that--well, that | might recog
nizo them again,
"A very laudablo intent But my
dear Mr. Barnes, ! have told you that
You may call upon inc at any time and
ask me any questions you please. Why
did you net frank ask me to show You
the buttonSt"
IL should have dono so. 1doso now. /"
They are in The vest. You may OK
amino them ii you desire it. "
Mr. Barnes lookup the vest, aud was
puzzled 70 tiud six buttons, three Of Ju-
liet and three Of Romeo Still he was
satisfied, for they were identical with
the one in his pocket. 1t occurred to him
that this man who was so careful in his
precautions might have he'd as to the
number IN the set, and have said six
when in reality there were seven A few
questions about the buttons seemed OPP
perfume.
"Thcsc are very beautiful, Mr., Mitch
ell, aud unique too, | have never heard
Of cameo buttons before, | think you
said they were made expressly for you. 3"
Mr. Mitchell dropped into "A cushioned
rocker before he replied
"Theso buttons were made for me,
and they are exquisite specimens Of the
graver's art. Cameo buttons, however,
are not so uncommon as you suppose,
though they are moro usually worn by
women, and, in fact, il was a woman $
idea to have these cut | should not
havop-
by Joye" said Mr.. Barnes, "the
Romeo buttons are copies from your
likeness, and good portraits toe. "
"Ahl You have noticed that have
your?
Eyes, and the Juliets are copies Of
that picture Mr. Barnes was getting
excited, for if these buttons wore per.
traits, and the one in his pocket was
that Of the woman whose likeness stood
on the easel, it was evident that they
were connected Mr. Mitchell eyed him
keeuly.
Mr. Barnes, you arc disturbed What
is itY
Il am not disturbed -
7 "You are, und it is the sight of those
buttons which has caused it, Now tcl,
me yottr reason for coming hero tEii
morning
Mr. Barnes thought the time had
como to strike a deciding blow.
"Mr Mitchell, first answer one qucs
ton, and think we'll before you reply
How many buttons were made for thi
sot?"
Seven, answered Mr.. Mitchell, e
promptly that Mr.. Barnes could only
repeat, amazed;
seven; But you said six only a mo
mCnt agup ~ 4.
j know what ! said. ! never forge
any statement that I make, and all my
statements ere accurate. | said that siJ
is the entire set, Now you ask me VIVA
was the original number, and | reply
seven. L. that clcart'
"Thcn the other button has been lost?
"Not at all. | know where it is.
Then what do you mean by sayini
that the set now is only six;'
Excuse me, Mr. Barnes, if | declin,