The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-10-16
CHAPTER IL.

doors of the library had scarcely
swung open for the admission of the
public when my friend began the as
cent of the stairs, his golden noble in
his pocket and his heart full of
hope. Why is it that we so often per-
ceive i~ntuitively or instinctively the
approach of physical peril and yet
have no ~premonition of b coming of
the moral cataclysm?
Scarborough was on friendly terms
with the librarian whom he nae
known for several years. As an habi-
tue of the place he also had a speak
ing acquaintance with several of the
assistants, custodians and other en-
ployees; hence when he requested
permission to examine the particular
tray in which reposed the o of
which he was in quest it was readily
granted. Retiring to an aIcove in
which there was a strong light ne
eagerly commenced the comparison of
his treasure with the piece whose gen.
u~ineness was unquestioned. He had a
powerful magnifying glass and made
copious notes. In about an hour he
had satisfied himself that he had not
been mistaken and prepared to cay
lAAO W. CAAS AoN NcAAAS INV
the alcove while he had beer there
with the exception of the attendant.
who had. as required by regulation.
loitered about within sight. Elated
at the success attending his investiga-
ton. a was, perhaps, a trife care
less in his handling of the coin en-
trusted to him. At all events, he
dropped it on the floor. He at once
ao1IoI ~ O1,f%,-+ o,l +nIIf-~ I;-o
what he had done, asked him to aid
him in his search. The man. whose
name was Golson, readily aSsented,
and for half al hour both men care
fully sought for the missing coin.
Creeping about on their hands and
knees, they explored every square inch
of the floor, raising the edges of the
cocoa mating wherever practicable,
but all in vain. Had the noble been
absorbed into the atmosphere like an
odorless, colorless gas it could not have
disappeared more completely. At
length they abandoned the quest and.
rising to their feet, looked at each
other, Jack with an expression of
dazed despair. Golson with a look of
keen, cold distrust.
MIR. Scarborough said he, 'this
is a very unpleasant affair"
Decidedly So" assented ack
"Of course you can understand"
Golson vent on, that under the cir
cumstances | have no alternative. \
valuable coin has disappeared from a
tray which vas under your sole con
troll at the time. You must pardon
me, butt am forced to summon the
officer on guard to take you to the IL
brarian."
My friend stared at him in a help
lessly bewildered sor of way. To de-
muir would have been worse than use
less; to submit to the disgrace was the
only course pen to him.
On reaching the office of the libra
rian, thai functfonary, after listening
to Golson's report, conducted Jack in
to a small inner room, requesting the
representative of the law to remain
outside the door. which he closed.
Mr. Scarborough" said he, Il am
inexpressibly panied. make no in
situations, but you can readily see that
q personal search must be made. Prob
ably you would prefer to empty your
pockets voluntarily in my presence tic
submitting to the ~indignity at the
hands of the officer. If, as L fully ex-
pect, the noble o not appear any
where about your clothing. you leave
this building without the shadow OF a
stain"
Unhappy Scarborough! At this sug
gestion, made In the kindliest n
he could feel the clammy perspiration
standing ON his brow In great beads,
for, In fear that his coin might not be
genuine, he had said nothing as to his
motive for examining the specimen in
the library. Had he explained his OBJ
ject at the outset and exhibited his
pseudo duplicate to Mr.. Pope, the Ii
brarian, its presence in his pocket
would be clearly enough explained.
But now who would believe him?
What a gauzy story the truth would
appear to bel But there was no es-
cape
NJ Pope (and he spoke slowly and
with evident agitation), Il have in my
pocket almost a precise copy of the
coin which l have unfortunately. but
i~nnoeently, lost. / came here this
morning merely to compare my coin
with yours. My noble is in my pocket.
I will produce it. and from the bottom
of my heart l wish hat l could pro
duce yours as easily"
Mr.. Pope's face afforded a rare study
of conflicting emotions. Pity and in
dignation seemed to be struggling for
ascendency In his soul. He finally
compromised on doubt. yet the mental
tension to which he was subjected was
shown in his voice when he said: Mr..
Scarborough, your statement is. TO say
the least, remarkable. On its face 1t
Is incredible. Will you kindly show
me this duplicated"
Perhaps unconsciousiy he injected a
sarcastic emphasis into his enuncfa-
tion OF the word duplicate" Jack felt
he was a ruined man.
Certainly. Mr.. Pope" he answered,
without hesitation, drawing his own
coin from his pocket and placing it be-
fore the skepticaI official.