The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-06-21

lbk TOO Hf%ifts a'"etN NNN ." ~
thoughts.
"You 60, away with Mrs, Campbell's
jewelsY''
Got awayY echoed Lestcrel softiy
"No. would no, say that | stole
them. however. and II you win take
me now 20 Mr. Campbcll's Office ] viii
tell him how they may be recovered"
"I'n attend 20 that part Of H." said
conroy. The things are in your
aparflnents. That's why you're so
anxlous 10 keep me away from there"
Il swear to YOU" cried Lestcrel.
'',hnt the Jewels are not there and that
will put no obstacle in the way of
/ your recovering them"
where are tbeyY
Pardon me II ask you question
first. Who put suspicion upon met
Was II Miss Campbellr'
Conroy shook his bead and at the
same time tapped upon his breast with
solemn finger.
81 never had the pleasure OF meeting
the young lady" said he. 1T was me
that worked down 10 you. more by good
luck than good Judgment, as I'm bound
10 confess, but II no credits mine
none belongs to anybody else. SO set
your mind at rest on that point"
81 thank YOU said Lesterel gravely.
'I'I give you another item OF con
solation." said the detective. This
case Is on the quiet, so far. II you act
right there's chance you may go
| free"
When they came TO the building
where he lived he begged leave to
speak privately TO the youth who was
In attendance by the door That favor
having been denied him, he slowly as
cended the stairs, with Conroy at his
heels In the hall on the second floor
they encountered young woman. tall,
slender and quietly elegant In attire
She was yelled. but Conroy would have
wagered any reasonable sum of money
that there was pretty face behind the
veil. The sight OF her gave him live
ly uneaslness, but the effect upon Les
terel was far better. Even the polish
OF his manner which he might have
said he could have preserved upon the
rack or the scaffold-fell away from
him.
Good Godr he cried. Miss Camp
bell! Why are you here"
But Conroy was saying to himself
'"The fellow expected her. He knew
she would be here"
The girl made no reply to Lesterefs
question. She made slight gesture
toward door near where she stood.
Lesterel unlocked 1t, stepped aside, and
she passed in. The two men followed.
Tell me-" said Lesterel, speaking
with quiverlng intensity, did you
know that this man suspected met
Did you come here to warnf No. no!
| II isn't possible. But why
The girl turned toward Conroy,
steadying herself with an effort for
she was trembling.
you are an officer, a detective. My
father hired you"
"Yes, MISS said Conroy. You're
right. I'm In your fathers service.
and, being so, I've got to do my duty
by him. And the first duty that I've
got TO do is to tell you that you mustn't
stay here, not another minute"
"You will not tell him that ! Gamer
Conroy was silent. 1t was Lesterel
who spoke first.
after you have heard what j shall
disclose" said he, you will agree that
Miss Campbell's presence was to nave
been desired"
Meanwhile Lesterel had led the girl TO
q seat Then, on turning to the detective
| he began 10 speak In voice that went to
| Conroy's vitals.
"Tlme presses" said he. II will be very
brief | have known Miss Campbell for
little more than q month, but In relative
Importance all the rest OF my life Is but
an instant, for only through the sight OF
/ her have had any intimation OF what llfe
might be- Some days ago, In moment
d utterly overpowering emotion, tod
her-oh, but n very little, thousandth
part of my hearts longing. She answered
tie with a heavenly kindness which
,hall remember until the end OF my days
He paused, and Conroy's impaience
| pvercame him.
"In heavens name. what happenedY he
cried Tell me the truth"
aThis Is what happened" answered Les
! terel II spoke to her as lover; she an
,wered me as the most gracious and sym
pathetic of friends She would have given
me hope, except that for me hope Is dead
| On the next day, after such agony as
few men are ever called upon TO bear.
told her what am.
"A thiefr' said Conroy.
/ "a thief may change" answered Les
! terei II am worse than thief ] am
nadman. Worse even than that-I am
lest OF all the world, For who that hears
the name does not laugh at the very
sound OF IT, am kleptomaniac."
"Lesterei," said the detective, looking
/ nim keeniy In the eyes, 'is this uueY
',Do you know anything about kiepto-
mania. my friend1 II so. / will give you
oroof 1 stole Mrs campbelis Jewels.
/ Sad gone to the library with Miss Camp
bell 10 consult a book. and | remained
few minutes after shs had gone. II IL on
the second floor: the drawing room In be-
ow. On my way down alone passed the
,pen door Of Mrs. Campbelrs boudoir.
The lady herself might have been within
! for all that | knew, but ! had seen the
fash OF the Jewels and the irresistible I'M
pulse was upon me ] went In and took
them And now for the proof. What DO
you think | dpi with them7 ! took them
20 the library and hid them behind the
very book that she and had been con
| suiting TO settle q point OF the history o.
/ my country. They might have stayed
there forever for | should not have gone
10 get them nor should ] ever have told
| any one"
I'm bound 10 ray that you seem 10 be
telling the truth" said conroy. but hoy
about this rinsy'
He held IL forward. and Miss Campbell
rose and took II from his hand. she
seemed to understand instantly that u
had been found In Lss,ersrs possession,
and her distress was plain, but u sudden.
~ changed to in6sseritabis relief
1T Is not my rothsrs,' she sala. y
thought Il wan" And Fha claaced toward
I>estertl as II for parton.
Miss Campbell" said conroy, rs u
true that this man told you Of his terrible
afilcuonT
III is true" said abe. "snd that was
why
a