The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-10

I have been far too generous with you in money matters
 You have been very kind said he: but I must have this money, or else l can never show my face inside the club again.
 And a very good thing. toor l cried.
 Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonored man., said he I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in some way. and if you will not let me have it then 1 must try other means.
 T was very angry. for this was the third demand during the month. You shall not have a farthing from me-, l cried; on which he bowed and left the room without another word.
 "Wben he was gone l unlocked my bu- reau, made sure that my treasure was safe and locked 1t again Then 1 started to go round the house to see that all was seeure-a duty which 1 usually leave to Mary, but which I thought it well to perform myself that night As I came down the stairs l saw Mary herself at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as l approached
 Tell me, dad said she, looking, I thought, a little disturbed did you give Lucy the maid, leave to go out to- nightg
 " Certainly not
 She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has only been to the gate to see some one; but think that 1t Is hardly safe, and should be stopped
 |" You must speak to her in the morn- ing, or l will, if you prefer it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?
 Quite sure, dad
 Then, good-night.' I kissed her, and went up to my bedroom again. where I was soon asleep.
 T am endeavoring to tell you every thing, Mr. Holmes, which may have any bearing upon the cafe, but I beg that you will question ne upon any point which I do not make clear.'
 "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid"
 T come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be particularly so I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. About 2 in the morning, then, l was awakened by some sound in the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an impression behind e as though a window had gently closed somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear. and peeped round the corner of my dressing room door.
 |" Arthur I screamed, you villainl you thief How dare you touch that coronet?
 "The gas was half up, as had left 1t, and my unhappy boy, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at it, and bending 1t with all his strength. At my cry he dropped 1t from his grasp and turned as pale as death. l snatched 1t up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with three of the beryls in it, was missing.
 You blackguardr I shouted, beside myself with rage. You have destroyed it You have dishonored me foreverl Where are the jewels which you have stolen?
 'Stolenl' he cried
 Yes, you thiefn I roared, shaking | him by the shoulder.
 There are none missing. There cannot l be any missing said he. There are three missing And yot ' know where they are. Must call you 8 i liar as well as a thief? Did I not see yor | trying to tear off another piece? You have called me names enough said he; I will not stand 1t any longer I shall not say another word about this business since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the morn ing and make my own way in the world. You shall leave it in the hands oi the policer I cried half mad with grief and rage. I shall have this matter probed to the bottom.'
 You shall learn nothing from me said he, with a passion such as l should not have thought was in his nature II you choose to call the police, let the police find what they can
 By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, at the sight of the coronei and of Arthur's face she read the whole story, and, with a scream. fell down senseless on the ground l sent the house. maid for the police, and put the investi- gation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sul- lenly with his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge him with theft. answered that 1t had ceased to be a private matters, but had | become a public one, since the ruined l coronet was national property. I was de- termined that the law should have it's ] way in everything.
 AL ledSls Sdlu it, yod Will hot iidfe me arrested at once. It would be to your advantage as we'll mine if might leave the house for five minutes That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you have stolen, said I. And then realizing the dreadful position in which I was placed I implored him to remember that not only my honor. but that of one who was far greater than I was at stake; and that he threatened to raise q scandal which would convulse the nation. He might