Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-31

these gems in charge and claims tc
 have put them in his safe. Did any one see him do it? No. Can he prove that he placed them there at all? think not, gentlemen. By his own ad mission he is the only person who knows the combination of that safe He was warned by an eminent lawyer to place detectives in his house and declined to do so for obvious reasons He did not wish to be spied uponw
 Bully" chuckled Uncle Michael to himself behind the shield of a hand kerchief stuffed into his mouth. 'Oh, bully! I didn't think he had it in him. Go for him, Dicky, boy! Go for him"'
 Mir. Renwyck was far too thunder struck even to defend himself. He glared at his accuser savagely, while his lank cheeks grew paler still with impotent rage.
 "Stop!" he shouted. "This is non- sense, internal nonsense. What! I steal my own daughters diamonds! Ridiculousr'
 Can you prove it?" asked tbe Tov"n suavely. "If so. the court will acquft you gladly. It's up to you, MT. Renwyck. Fire away"
 Well, by love" exclaimed Sir Rod ney, actually letting his monocle fall in his excitement.
 How dare you, you villain?" cried Mrs. Renwyck.
 Come, come; we'd better git this foolin' over an take along our man," said the detective sergeant.
 And he was going to teach me about English aristocracy" sniffed Miss Schermerly scornfully. suppressing with difficulty hysterical desire to scream.
 Where is the real Lord Croyland, 1 want to know?" asked MT. Parker, taking advantage of the general dis turbance to find voice again.
 The old speculator was so handi- capped by anger at the impudent as- surance of the real culprit that CO., herent tterance was out of the ques- tion. He gagged and spluttered in a most discriminating manner, which gave certain color to Richards other wise unthinkable charge. Beyond doubt stormy scene would have fol lowed had not MT. Corrigan at last come forward to take hand
 Steady. Jake" he cautioned. while Mrs. Renwyck, appalled, at the term after the strain of hearing her husband accused of stealing burst suddenly into tears. requiring the combined ministra- tions of Miss Schermerly and the three girls. Jake" declined positively to be steady, so the little lawyer de. termined to bring matters to close.
 Look here" he shouted. "It seems all of you have had your share of talk ing. I want to do some of it myself" He turned to the company. As for my brother-in-law, I feel that l must take his side and declare his innocence of theft. AS for this young gentle man, he is equally innocent, though must admit that he has taking ways" Uncle Michael paused to smile in ap- preciation of his own humor and con- tinued, AS for me, haven't the least doubt that any of you hot headed peo- pie would slap me in jail at once for the simple reason that I have those diamonds in my pocket"
 You" cried dozen people in a breath. Your
 Yes" he laughed. Here they are"'
 He pulled several jewel cases from his pocket, opened them and held them for all to see.
 ''So you're the robber, are you?" said Richard coolly, glad of q chance to pay back some of Uncle Michael's gibes. Well. I'd never have believed 1t if you hadn't confessed it."
 You score one, Dick, but wait" re- turned Uncle Michael.
 If this is a joke, Michael" began Mir. Renwyck, drowning heavily, q must say
 "Tts no joke, as you'll find, Jacob, and if you had followed my advice in the beginning you wouldn't have laid yourself wide open to this awkward libel case"
 For a moment there was silence. It was difficult to say who was the most dumfounded-Mr. Renwyck. v.ilo saw at once what a blunder he had made; Miss Harriet. who knew that the dia- monds had been taken by NIT. FitZ- georges pal and who wondered how her Uncle Michael had got them. and Imogene, who was confident that her secret would now be disclosed to every one, or Richard. who had locked up poor, innocent WOOlSey Bills for a theft which evidently he had not con- mitted. So his ecclesiastical valet had told the truth. after all. COnsternatiOn resgned. and everybody began to talk at once. but Mir. COrrigan raised his hand for silence and continued his most effective address.