New-York tribune., 1909-09-12

of the men We should all be ready to sub
nit, know. You can begin with me"
Pinckney Mason's brow darSened with anger
and annoyance. Search my guests: he cried
in a voice shaking with indignation. III sub
NIT them TO no such humiliation! I'm sur
prised at you, Tom MedfOrd, for making such
suggestioni Don let me hear any more OF it,
" Have you been out OF this room since the
scarf figure Mrs. Mason, asked Carleton has
tily. to cover up Nedford discontinue
\ faint crimson stained Laura MaSOnS
checks. Only IN the conservatory, throwing
crumbs to the fishes, she said.
And was anyone
Il was in the Conservatory with Mrs. Mason,
broke IN the Voice OF LeSSIng, who had returned
10 the room unobServed by Carleton " Per-
haps it might be as well to search me. | shall
be most pleased If the Major cares to make an
examination.
Carleton, closely observing Mrs. Mason saw
the color fade from her cheeks and q deathly
whitenesS take its place. as she summoned all
her dignity and replied, " Mr. Lessing. YOU have
heard what the Major said IOu-VOu were
not near me IN the conservatory. This Is a very
unfortunate affair. OF course l am deeply
grieved over the loss of my diamond; but had
rather lose every jewel l possess than consent
to such a suggestion as the one You have Just
made, or to make anyone of my guests feel i'll at
ease. Suppose we drop the subject. PlnCkneV
viii YOU tell the musicians to play a waltz"
1t was beautifully done and Carleton was
filled with admiration for the woman who did
it. He turned to speak To Miss Narshall; but
She was talking to LeSsIug, who had approached
her on the other side.
Mr.. Lesslng,' Carleton heard her say, Il
have an idea that Cousin Laura might have
dropped her lighthouse in the conservatory
when she was there after the scarf dance. VIII
YOU come in and help me look for it, Do 1t
may be on the floor there, and perhaps has
rolled under the plants somewhere Her atti-
tude IS very heroic and all that but foolish. Ii
had a stone like hers and had lost it. d have
the musicians play the dead march from Saul. p"
TOGETHER they left the room Carleton.
watching them from the corner of his eve,
started and let slip a slight exclamation He
waited moment and then followed them. He
passed through the library and reached the
girl say:
:" But where IS hea 1 left him here in the
basket Just as comfortable as he could be. He
was almost asleep, and now he's gone. But how
could he have got out' The porch door was
locked, and he never could have crawled UP
that step into the library. Some one must
have taken him.
Perhaps, Carleton suggested as he stepped
INTO the room his supper did not agree with
him. Perhaps he has taken constitutional
walked off with Mrs. Masons diamond"
Miss Marshall faced swiftly round. Its not
Joke, Mr.. Carleton" she said. Il want him
Where can he be? Oh, he was so cutel"
Maybe Mr. Lessing can enlighten you as to
Ne%CCStt'
said. He leaned forward and stretched out his
hand toward Lessing. From the latter's coat
tail pocket he jerked forth a loop of light blue
ribbon tied in a bowknot
The eyes of the two men met-and chung
Lessing were the first to fall. The color gradu-
ally receded from his face leaving it a pastv
white
Mr.. Carleton is right Miss Marshall" he
said with an effort e l can tell YOU the where
abouts-of the terrapin. l took him as part of
a little Joke, intending TO return him 10 YOU to-
morrow. with little silver band round his body
and silver chain fastened to it. But since Mr.
Carleton has seen mt To play the part of a spoil
sport, hls eyes met Carleton again this time
defantly, / shall return him to YOU at once
He IS IN my overcoat pocket" He bowed and
left the room.
THE girl turned to Carleton, pale and wide
eyed You know or YOU suspect some
thIngl she SAID Tell me-"
For answer he drew from his pocket a small
white object. a." Do YOU know what this is.'
he asked. extending it 10 her
She examined 1t curiously why. it's -
little piece OF pork!" she SAID
Exactly Well when that bit of pork IN
Iured my dignity to the extent of Sprcad-cashus,
me IN the ballroom this evening | naturally
wondered what pork was doing At a dance
!