Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-02

at once
But I should like if it were possible, to avoid
disgracing the young fellow until we have the
strongest presumption of his guilt" protested
Gerald.
'That can be arranged" was the response. eff
it will be convenient for you be at Mr.. Murrays
house in about an hours time, l can have him
brought there before he is taken to the station,
and give him chance to disprove his responsible
ty for the disappearance of your diamond"
Gall right, will be on hand" assented Gerald;
and the detective took his departure
When George Adams reached the sidewalk upon
leaving the scene of pleasure in which he had
been participant, he confronted by a stall
wart policeman.
your name is George Adams, isn't it," enquired
the officer
Eyes what do you want of me?" George res
ponded flurriedly.
"I have warrant for your arrest You'd better
come along with me quietly" was the answer.
The officer noticed by the glare of the electric
light above them that the accused young grew
deadly pale, and trembled in every limb.
whats the charge against me?' faltered George.
with quivering lips,
Stealing Mr.. Gersher's big diamond" was the
blunt reply.
"But l delivered 1t to him only couple of
hours ago. I have his receipt" protested George,
his voice still tremulous.
To the one unacquainted with the ways of GRIM
inals the young fellows evident perturbation would
man of long experience with accused persons had
seen too many instances where the guilty had
seemed innocent, and the innocent guilty, to rush
to such conclusion. So he only eyed George
curiously for a moment, then said in not I'M
kindly tone:
you can explain all that to Hacket, the f1y-cop
you'll find at Banker Murrays house, where l
have orders to take you before locking you up
Come along" And linking his in that of the
apparently dazed young man, he led the way to
waiting cab, entered it with him, and ordered the
driver to drive to Mr.. Murrays residence.
Throughout the drive George sat in silence, with
bowed head, beside the officer, overcome with shame
at his disgrace, and distress at the thought of the
anguish his arrest for theft would cause his
mother and sisters, and the sweet girl who was
soon to have become his wife.
In the bankers library he found assembled Mr..
Murray himself, Gerald Gersher, and a strange
man, who he rightly concluded to be the detective.
His employer was standing in front of the hearth,
a stern, set expression stamped upon his coun-
tenance, and near him. leaning with air of
carelessness against the mantel, stood the detect
i've. In front of them, nervously grasping the arm
of his chair, sat Mr. Gersher, questioning look
his face. He glanced from one to the other, and
his heart sank. Already the prison coils seemed
tightening about him.
well, young man, we are waiting to hear your
story of what became of Mr.. Gersher's diamond"
said Hacket brusquely, motioning him to chair
George related with apparent truthfulness all
that had befallen him from the time the packet
of jewels entrusted to his charge, ending by
protesting that he had not opened it, and had not
seen its contents.
"You say you told Mr.. Maynard about the dia-
mond and then left the room? Don't you know
that young fellow is given to extravagant dissipa-
tion and is always in debt in spite of the liberal
allowance his mother gives him? Weren't you
running big risk in leaving him alone with valu-
able jewels entrusted to your care?" queried the
detective when he had concluded
"He was my best friend How could 1 suspect
that he was any more dishonest than myself?"