Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-07-14
He looked from one to the other.

WdS Optucu NY NY hSy II LAuoI A6sO
been taken from the pocket of my
coat which l had left across a chair
in my room-a criminally careless
thing to do, l admit. The person who
took it must have become possessed
of the secret word. Who was that
person? Beside myself, only three
other people knew it, Miss Darracourt,
Miss Werner and this girl-what is
her name?"
"Susie!" said Marie in frightened
whisper.
Lucille arose with smile of mere
dulity.
"And you think that my MADAM
| innocent, simple, good-principled girl
went to your room and stole the
platter" she said.
NO. he answered gently, though
her tone might have justified some ir-
ritation on his side NO, | do not
| think so; but | think that it is pos
sible she might have told to some one
else the word which is the open ses-
anne to the plate-closet."
]
Whom could she have told?" asked
| Mrs. Dalton.
He shrugged his shoulders.
Half hundred people!'' he said.
| Zone would be enough, providing
that that one was dishonest re-
marked Mrs. Dalton.
Exactly" he said.
Silence again, then Lucille said
gravely:
Lord Merle, you have not told us
| all yet, I think ?"
"Ah, how quick you are to read
mel he murmured gently. NO, |
have not. have kept back the most
| painful part; but fear must tell you
now that the thing has gone thus
| far
"You should have told me at first"
she said gravely.
"It is this" he said. 81 spoke OF
! footmarks outside the conservatory.
| They were a mans, and | might have
tried to guess whose they were in
| vain, but by chance l happen to know.
Yesterday evening was in my room,
at the window which stands just over
| the conservatory, and 1 heard my but
| Ter Forbes talking to a man just be-
| low me- Strange to say-or not
strange, just as you like it-they were
talking about the plate. 1t seems
Forbes came upon the man lurking
we'll, not lurking, but standing or
| lounging near the door, and looking
| through the window at the sideboard,
and the man called Forbes attention
| to the fact that any tramp might
walk off with the silver. He appeared
| to be quite indignant that such a
! temptation should be permitted to ex-
list, and l resolved at the moment
| that would have the plate removed,
| but it escaped my mind afterward.
! The man and Forbes talked for
some minutes, then he-the man, I
mean-went of"
"That is the thief" exclaimed Mrs.
Dalton 81 fear his indignation was
only assumed as a Blind
He looked at her with knitted
brows and glanced at Lucille.
what was the man? Do you know
him?" asked Marie.
| yes" he said, slowly "I know
him, and | do not think that it is pos
sible. he can have been the thief.
would indeed, never consent to be-
lieve it unless the evidence against
him were irrefutable. 1t is improb-
| SO
fore. no good to be served in mention
| ing his name
Lucille looked at him. Again the
vague fear crept about her heart.
Pray, tell me his NAME" said Ma
RE. You must admit that l have
reason to take a great, dreadful in
| terest in this-this robbery! Please
tell us, Lord Merle!'
well, l will tell you," he said,
gravely
1T may have been Susie's sweet
heart or BROTHER said Mrs. Dalton.
1.-The man was Harry Herne!" he
said, after pause.
Lucille arose, her face white as
Q0dC0, then she Silk lUIO lie CHdlI
again and laughed softly. All the
| others stared at her.
you are right she said at last,
and the words came slowly, ringing
yet low, full of intense mockery and
| pride. HE is not the theft"
Just SOL" assented the marquis,
instantly. Il say l could swear for
him with all | possess if it were nee
essary; but it is not. No one ac-
| cuses him. You understand, how
ever, how reluctant l was to mention
| his name. You know that we are
not friendly-we were not, though,
am glad to think-and you might have
supposed that | was prejudiced.''
Lucille looked him full in the face.
81 should. she said; ''if you had
not said that you knew him incapable
| of such crime"
He inclined his head gravely.