Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-09-03

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 be 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 uponf'
Bully chuckled Uncle Michael 10
himself behind the shield Of hand
kerchief stuffed into his mouth. '0h,
bully. didn't think he had II in him!
Go for him, Dicky. boy! Go for him"
Mr.. Renwyck was far too thunder
struck even to defend himself. He
glared az 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?
Ridiculous
~Can you prove itT' asked the
Texan suavely, "lf so, the court will
acquit you gladly, It's up to you. Mr.
Renwyck. Fire away"
well. by Jover' 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
foolin' over an take along our man."
said the detective sergeant.
"And be was going to teach me about
English aristocracyv' shifted Miss
Schermerly scornfully. suppressing
with difficulty q hysterica desire TO
scream
"Where is the real Lord Croyland.
I 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 at the impudent as
surance of the real culprit that CO.
herent utterauce was out of the ques-
ton. He gagged and spluttered In
most discriminating manner. which
gave 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 hand.
STEADY. Jakew 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-
lions 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. 'It 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 brother-in-law, I feel that must
take his side and declare bis 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"
you cried dozen people In a
breath. Your
"Yes." he laughed. Here they are-'
He pulled several jewel cases from
his pocket. opened them and held them
for all to see.
$50 you're the robber, are your said
Richard coolly. glad OF a chance to
pay back some of Uncle MichaeI's
gibes "Well. I'd never have believed
1t If you hadn't confessed II"
you score one, Dick, but wait" re-
turned Uncle Michael.
IF this is joke, Michael" began
Mr.. Renwyck. frowning heavily. Il
must say
ITS no joke. as you'll 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"
was difficult to say who was the most
dumfounded-Mr. Renwyck. who saw
at once what blunder he had made;
Miss Harriet. who knew that the dia-
monds had been taken by Mr.. Fitz-
georges pal and who wondered how
her Uncle Michael had got them. and
Imogene, who was confident that her
secret would now be disclosed to every
one. or Richard, who had locked up
poor, innocent Woolsey Bills for a
theft which evidently he had not COM
mitted. So his ecclesiastical valet had
told the truth. after all. CONSERVATION
reigned. and everybody began to talk
at once. but Mr.. Corrigan raised his
hand for silence and continued his
most effective address.
you are no doubt wondering" he
laughed. how happened to come by
this valuable property. and I. in spite
Of our brazen young friends sugges.
! ton. hasten to assure you that goi
It honestly. My worthy brother-inlaw
| who never would listen to any one
| except himself, declined to heed me
| when told him Of danger which
| threatened his daughters jewels. To
prove that was right-as usually
am. by the way--I employed several
experienced private detectives and las
In wait for the fun The first night I
was terribly disappointed. The second
time. though. I bagged my game.
got the diamonds. gentlemen. and /.
also have the thief securely locked up
- my coach house under guard Of the