Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-07-15

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| FOR the first thing
And did your" broke in Marie.
He inclined his head.
Yes, / saw two kinds Of foot,
marks. One was my own. the other
= cannot say for GER ain!'
For certain" exclaimed Marie
raising her broWs-
Not for certain!" he repeated.
''Then-but go on"
II then examined the lock to see if
it had been tempered With mean
forced in any way, but it had not
there were no marks of chisel, or
any instrument whatever. There is
not a scratch or any indentation in
the gliding or the polished wood If
there had been I should have seen in
moment; any one could detect it as
easily as I myself could"
Then the thief must have I'M
locked the PANEL" gsaid Mrs. Dalton.
A silence fell, as all eyes were
turned on the marquis.
4 cannot come to any other con-
clusiOn," he said graveIy.
Lucille glanced at Marie, then
lowered her eyes again.
Mrs. Dalton was graphing with the
facts in her priE2 conscientio Is fash
ion.
'In that case, my lord, whom do
you susDect?"
He raised mis- eyes, but remained
silent
Dear mel" she went on; 81 remem-
Der distinctly your telling US about
the secret word which unlocked the
panel! How glad I am that you did
not tell US the word, l am sure Miss
Werner, that you must feel grateful
that his lOrdship did not accede to
your request and tell you the Sc
cret"
Marie Werner looked down with a
very fine imitation CT dismay. The
marquis turned to The window.
1t was Lucille that spoke.
Lord Merle did you tell Marie the
word" she said
Mrs. Dalton jumped-there is no
other word for it.
He did? You did my lord?"
He turned his face to them with Q
smile.
Yes, did, madam" ne said. But
I do not see what that has to do with
the robbery"
Mrs. Dalton thinks I committed
it," exclaimed Marie Werner, with a
pout.
The marquis laughed politely.
IF l thought so. I should have said
nothing about it, but have sent you
the remainder of the plate, so that
your collection might be complete" he
said CALAMITY. But seriously, I do
not think the fact that | told Miss
Werner the word which opened the
lock can have anything to do with my
'Fs-s: she is not likely to have men
trr aed 1t 10 anyone else"
No" said Mrs. Dalton, solemnly:
even Miss Werner would not be guilty
Of such an indiscret1on."
Just So he said lightly.
Lucille raised her head.
Marie, tell Lord Merle that you did
mention it, she said. slowly
Marie Werner looked up with an air
of dismay and contrition finely blend
ed
oh, Lucille, as if--Lord Merle,
ought to tell you'll hope you won't
think too badly of me, but-but I did
mention it /
He smiled. buJ rather gravely.
To whom, Miss Verner?'
Toto Lucille"
And to no one eise?' he asked.
She hung her head in silence. They |:
were playing the comedy with in
fn.-e tact and art
Lucille flushed with annoyance /
Pray speak out, Marie!" she said, |
almost sharply. Lord Merle, there /
Was some one else in the room when /
Miss Werner told me the word; my i
ma d was there, Susie Bond"
Oh you don't think broke in !
Marie, petuIantly and anxiously, then /
stopped abruptly, for the marquis !
face had grown suddenly very grave !
and earnest.
Have you mentioned it to any one .
before any one-else, Miss Verner?"
be asked quietly.
MOI" declared Marie. mo, / am
certain, positive, that l have not! Lu-
ellie scOIded me for speaking of it !
before Susie that have not men |
toned it to a soul besides. Oh, my
ord. I do hope that you don't think |
Susie had anything to do with it,
THAT is not possible" said Lucille
with quiet dignity.
He looked from one to the other.
What am I to say" he said. You
shall Judge for yourselves. The lock
was opened by my key; it must have
been taken from the pocket OF my
coat which I had left across a chair
in nv room-a criminal,y careless
thing to do, admit. The person who
took it must have become possessed
Of + he secret word. Who was that
person? Beside myself. only three
other people knew it. Miss Darracourt.
Miss Werner, and this girl-what is
her lame?'
susie" said Marie in frightened
whisper,
Lucille arose with a smile Of incre-
dulity
And you think that my MADAM
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