Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-07-24

How splendid he looked as be faced
the company, striving to shield two
helpless girls by taking the blame Of
the robbery upon himself! For her
sake he was being branded as thief,
but this thing should not bel
"Imogene," she whispered, II must
tell. I must mustv'
But Imogene chung to her appeal
ingly.
"Oh. don't!'' she pleaded. ~Corne-
Illus will be so angry at me. Look at
him glowering nowl Just walt lit
tie while. shall die OF shame. Please,
pleased
Harriet bit her lip. 1t was too late
now. anyway. for her lover was speak
ing again. and she did not wish to miss
a word.
Gentlemen" he was saying. "Mr.
Renwyck has accused me of q crime.
Perhaps he is justified In connecting
me with the loss of his valuable prop
erty; but. on the other hand. appeal
to you as level headed. thinking men.
His evidence is purely circumstantial."
Can you prove your innocence"
sneered the f1nancier.
UNFORTUNATELY, no, nor am l COM
PEELED to do SO by the laws of the
land" returned the Texan quietly
But l can weld as strong a chain
around any member of this household
whom you choose to select"
"Donew retorted Mr.. Renwyck an
grlly. Make the choice yourself. Go
on"
Every WELL" laughed Richard, II
will Mr.. Renwyck, select your
Me" stormed the millionaire. start
ing back in genuine astonishment
"Preposterousp
There was a chuckle of delight from
distant corner, and Mr.. Renwyck
had no trouble at all in fixing 1t 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, and ladies',
| too, If you will allow me-this Is mere
| ly for the sake Of gument-our hon
| orable host for whom. believe me, l
have the utmost respect and admira-
| ton, has unfortunately placed himself
in a very ugly light To begin with,
he Ia involved In a certain financial
scheme, the details of which l am not
at liberty to disclose. Suffice 1t to
say 1t requires a vast amount Of cap
ital That Mr.. Renwyck is pinched
for money ia proved by the fact that
night before last he urged me to place
100000 in his enterprise"
what" gasped Mr.. Renwyck. why
/ sir-why"-
"Waitr said Richard sharply. 81
have the floor" Again he turned tc
the company. II declined to invest
this amount OF money for reasons OF
my own. though my host was much
annoyed thereat"
The Spectator. who could not i'm.
agine what Richard was driving at
stood speechless with amazement
while his brezen 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 thar
the amount required by him He has
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
| ho 60
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 upon"
"Bullyw chuckled Uncle Michael to
himself behind the shield Of a hand
kerchief stuffed into his mouth oh
bully. didn't think he had 1t 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
Ridiculousw
Can you prove it?" asked the
Texan suavely. III so, the court will
acqult you gladly. It's up to you, Mr..
Renwyck. Fire away"
"Well, by Jovew 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
feolin' over an take along our man,
said the detective sergeant
And he was going to teach me about
English aristocracy~ shifted Miss
Schermerly scornfully. suppressing
with difficulty a hysterical desire to
scream.
"Where is the real Lord Croyland,
want to known asked Mr.. Parker.
taking advantage of the general dis