The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-05-15

ception, yet now he was checked by
the part the two young ladies had
played on the previous night. To make
a clean breast of 1t would he to involve
them also, and even though it would
clear him personally he could not en-
terrain the thought for single instant
Yet when Sergeant Flint. the detec-
tive. put forth his hand the blood OF
the Texan seethed into action. There
was no evidence Of anger. no move
ment to resist the law. but in his cold
gray eye there came warning CLINT.
which was further backed by a calm.
dispassionate tone.
Don't do that sonny" he said in
words that carried conviction. 'There'll
be no trouble. But hands off, Once
more he turned quietly to his host.
Now. Mr.. Renwyck. kindly explain
your charge"
1T is scarcely necessary" answered
that gentleman in undisguised con-
tempt. but II you wish to be further
unmasked before this company l have
no objection. assure you. You en-
tered my house under false pretenses
and with an assumed name. BY your
own confession you have abused our
trust and hospitality. | find you in
my library at o'clock In the morn
ing. fully dressed. while the window
is wide open and the burglar alarm
switched off. Can you account for this
extraordinary proceeding on the part
Of guest in gentleman's house,"
~ can" he answered calmly. Har-
riet made an involuntary movement at
this. but Richard. whose eyes never
lost sight of her. in spite of all that &C.
Cured. checked her with motion of
his hand. "As told you. had come
downstairs for book. The night was
warm. and through the window came
very grateful breeze. If wished to
open window. why should | alarm
the entire household with a furious
clatter from q big brass gong?"
There were murmurs of approval
from several persons among the COM
pany. especially the ladies. but this
only made Mr.. Renwyck more firm in
his just convictions.
Nonsense" he cried. utter bosh.
Do you mean to tell me that you will
swear in court-as you certainly will
have to-that you opened that library
window merely to let in fresh air?"
There was no other reason" the
Texan answered imperturbably.
Mr.. Renwyck tried another tack
''Was there any other man with you
in the library last night?"
"There was"
Imogene gasped. and Harriet put an
urn around her soothingly.
"Haw cried the financier triumphant
". perhaps you will turn states evi.
aence. Well, who was this other
man?"
'You," smiled Richard. 81 remem-
Der you perfectly on account of your
extreme"
Uncle Michael broke into q jovial
roar, while Singer Of amusement
rippled among the other listeners. The
culprit had scored point, but it only
served to put Mr.. Renwyck in a warm
err rage
"Oficers." he cried, do your duty!
accuse this man-he's thiefw
Miss Harriet stepped forward,
crimson spot glowing on either cheek,
but Imogene held tightly to her arm
and dragged her back. Mr.. Van der
Awe was in state which bordered on
despair. He also had been watching
IMogene and Harriet, and be saw that
they were far more interested in the
proceedings of the case than their ST.
lenLe warranted Three times Miss
Harriet had started forward, but her
whimpering friend had always detain-
ed her, once going so far as to stop an
exclamation with pretty hand across
q prettier mouth. What was il Miss
Renwyck seemed so eager to tell which
Miss Chittendon seemed equally de-
termined to withhold?
AT Mr. Renwyck's order to the de-
tectives great excitement filed the
room. Sergeant Flint and his subor-
dinate closed upon the Texan, and for
a moment it seemed that trouble was
inevitable.
"Stop" said Richard. The tone was
incisive. and somehow the wondering
company gave obedience. "Mr. Rem
wyck," he went on quietly, you have
called me thief before many wit
besses. You will be required to an
swer for this to me. AS to the manner
of that answer you know enough of
men from Texas to-
This time Harriet broke away from
Miss Imogene. whitening to the lips
and stretching out her hand to the
group beneath her.
"Texas?" she cried. "Then you
are
81 am" smiled Richard. land don't
you say single word. Well get out
of this mill too
Miss Renwyck sank back against the
balustrade. trembling from head to
foot. while her color came and went,
as she stared in silence at the cowboy
of her dreams. In her heart she had
known it from the first, yet now she
recognized the fact that she loved the
pseudo Englishman even If he had not
turned out to be her hero of the plains.
How splendid he looked as he faced
the company, striving to shield two
girls Inv tolxinO tho blama Of