Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-10

whom you choose to select
"Done!" retorted Mr.. Renwyck an
grily. make the choice yourself. Go
on"
Very WE'LL laughed Richard, 81
will. Mr.. Renwyck, select you'll"
Me" stormed the millionaire, start
ing back in genuine establishment.
"Preposterousr
There was chuckle of delight from
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
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 nc--this is mere
ly for the sake of ;irgumcnt--our non
orable host, for whom. believe me, !
have the utmost respect and admira-
ton, has unfortunately placed himself
in very ugly light To begin With,
he is involved in ii certain financial
scheme. the details of which ! am not
at liberty TO disclose. Suffice 1t to
say 1t 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"
"Whatw g;lsped MIR Renwyck. why,
sir-why''--
"Waitw said Richard sharply. 81
have the floor Again he turned to
the company. ~ 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 speeches. 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 1t? No Can he prove
i that uC IiiiScd luCte ut
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 upon!"
"Rully!" chuckled Uncle Michael to
himself behind the shield of hand.
kerchief stuffed into his mouth. "Oh.
bully! didn't think he had it In him
Go for him, Dicky, boy! Go for himw
Mr.. Renwyck was far too thunder
/ struck even to defend himself. He
| glared at his accuser savagely. while
his lank checks grew paler still with
impotent rage
stop" he shouted This is non
sense, Internal nonsense! What!
steal my own daughters diamonds7
Ridiculous!"
"Can you prove it?' asked the
Texan suavely. IF so. the court will
acquit you gladly. It's up to you, MT.
Renwyck. Fire away!"
"Well. by Jove!" exclaimed Sir Rod
ney. actually letting his monocle fall
in his excitement.
Mrs. Renwyck.
"Come, come; we'd better git this
foolin' over an take along our man."
said -.hc 5!.cc..:c2c..!v" sergeant.
"And he was going to teach me about
English aristocracyr shifted Miss
Schermcrly scornf,llly. supprcssins
with difficulty hysterical desire to
| scream.
"Where is the real Lord Croyiand.
want to know" asked Mr. Parker.
taking advantage of the general dis
turbance to find voice again.
The old SPECTATOR was SO handi.
capped by anger ut the impudent as
surance of the real culprit that CO.
herent utterance Wis out of the ques-
ton. He gagged and spluttcred in Il
most discriminating manner. which
gave certain color to Richards other
wise unthinkahle charge. Beyond
doubt stormy scene would have fol.
lowed had not Mr.. Corrigan at last
come forward to take Il hand.
STEADY, .Iale! lie 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-
lions of Miss Schermerly and the three
girls. Jake declined positively to
be steady. 50 the little lawyer de-
termined To bring matters to close.
| Look llere! he shouted. st seems
all of you have had your share of talk,
ing. want TO do some Of it myself"
he turned to The company. las for
my brotherinlaw. | 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 paused to smile in APP
probation 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 have those
diamonds in my pocket"
Your cried Il dozen people in n
breath YOU"
Yes" he laughed. Here they nre!'
lie puled several jewel cases from
his pocket. opened them and held them
for all tc see.
$50 you're w. robber. are you?" said
Richard coolly glau # chance to
pay back come of Bncle Stencils
g'hes We'll. I'd never have bele., ed
it if You hadn't confessed it."
"fou score one. Dick. but watt" re-
4 Il
"lf this is joke, Michael" began
Mr.. Renwyck. frownng heavily, Il
must say
ITS no joke. as youll 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 moment there was silence 1t
was difficult TO say who was the most
dumfoundcn-M Renwyck. who saw
at once what n bunder lie had made;
Miss Harriet. who knew that the dia-
/ lie. I.,I