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

TO you as level headed. thinking men.
His evidence is purely circumstantial."
Can you prove your innocence?'
sneered the fnancier.
UNFORTUNATELY. no, nor am ! COM
PEELED to 10 so by the laws Of the
land" returned the Texan quietly.
But | can weld as strong chain
around any member of this household
whom you choose to select"
"Donew retorted Mr.. Renwyck an
grily. Make the choice yourself. Go
| on"
Every WE'LL" laughed Richard ~
will. Mr.. Renwyck, select you"
ME-" stormed the millionaire, start
ing back in genuine establishment.
"Preposterous!'
There was chuckle of delight from
a distant corner. and Mr.. Renwyck
had no trouble ut all in fixing it upon
Brother Michael. Richard stood with
his feet slightly apart. his hands in his
pockets, while he began to rock for
ward and backward on his heels and
toes. The humor of the situation was
coming back again.
Gentlemen" he said, land ladies'.
too. If you will allow me-this is mere
ly for the sake of argument-our hon
orable host. for whom, believe me. |
ton. has unfortunately placed himself
in q very ugly light. To begin with.
he is involved in certain financial
scheme. the details of which l am not
at liberty to disclose. Suffice it to
say It requires Il vast amount OF cap
ital. That Mr.. Renwyck is pinched
for money is proved by the fact that
night before last he urged me to place
100000 in his enterprise"
What" gasped Mr.. Renwyck. "Why
sir-why''-
wait" said Richard sharply. II
have the floor" Again he turned to
the company. II declined to invest
this amount of money for reasons of
my own. though my host was much
annoyed thereat."
The specuator, who could not i'm
agine what Richard was driving at.
stood speechless with amazement,
while his brazen guest went on:
Failing in this attempt. gentlemen,
the prisoner at the bar next looks
about him for other means to relieve
his need. His daughter is possessed of
diamonds valued at much more than
the amount required by him. He has
these gems In charge and claims to
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 uponT
"Bully!' chuckled Uncle Michael to
himself behind the shield of a hand
kerchief stuffed into his mouth. 'Oh.
bully, didn't think he had it in him!
Go for him, Dicky, boy! Go for him"
Mr.. 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!
steal my own daughters diamonds?
Ridiculousr
"Can you prove itT asked the
Texan suavely. IF so. the court will
acquit you gladly, It's up to you. Mr..
Renwyck. Fire away!'
"Well, by Jove" exclaimed Sir Rod
ney, actually letting his monocle fall
in his excitement.
How dare you. you Villains" 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 aristocracyw shifted Miss
Schermerly scornfully. suppressing
with difficulty hysterical desire to
scream.
"Where is the real Lord Croyland.
l want to know?" asked Mr.. Parker.
taking advantage Of the general dis
lurDduce 10 una VOICE uSulu.
The old speculator was so handi-
capped by anger at the impudent as
surance of the real culprit that CO.
herent utterance was out of the ques-
ton. He gagged and spluttered in
most discriminating manner, which
gave q certain color to Richards other
wise unthinkable charge. Beyond
doubt stormy scene would have fol-
lowed had not Mr.. Corrigan at last
come forward to take q hand.
STEADY. Jakev 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. 1T seems
all of you have had your share of talk
ing. l want to do some Of it myself"
He turned to the company. LAS for
my brother-in-law. | feel that | 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 pouSed to smile I'm nm