Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-07-14
CHAPTER Xxx.


Yes. I fear so. | had better go on
in a direct way. AS soon as I had
made the discovery l at once thought
of ringing for the servants and max
ing the theft public; but it occurred
to me that 1 myself might perhaps
find some clew to begin with. The
robbery must have been committed
| last night, or early this morning.
mean about two or three o'clock, as
passed through the room on my way
to bed last night after the ball, and
am certain that the closet was locked
or, to speak with more exactness,
closed
eyes," said Marie. "Well?"
well, / searched to see if / could
discover any footmarks on the gravel
and on the floor of the conservatory,
for the first thing"
"And did your" broke in Marie.
He inclined his head.
Eyes, I saw two kinds of foot
marks One was my own, the other
| i cannot say for certain!"
| For certain!" exclaimed Marie,
raising her brows.
mot for certain!' he repeated.
"Then-but go on!'
Il 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 scratch or any indentation in
the gliding or the polished wood. If
there had been l should have seen in
a moment; any one could detect it as
easily as | 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.
II cannot come to any other con-
clusion,' he said gravely.
Lucille glanced at Marie, then
lowered her eyes again.
Mrs. Dalton was graphing with the
facts in her prim conscientious fash
ion.
''In that case, my lord, whom do
| you suspect!
He raised his eyes, but remained
silent.
Dear met" she went on; 81 remem-
| Der distinctly your telling us about
the secret word which unlocked the
panel! How glad 1 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 of dismay The
marquis turned to the window.
i It was Lucille that spoke.
Lord Merle did you tell Marie the
world" 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 a
smile.
Eyes, I did, madam he said. But
do not see what that has to do with
the robbery"
Mrs. Dalton thinks l committed
it,' exclaimed Marie Werner, with a
pout.
The marquis laughed politely.
'If l thought so, | 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, l dc
not think the fact that I told Miss
Werner the word which opened the
lock can have anything to do with my
loss: she is not likely to have men
| toned it to anyone else.''
NO said Mrs. Dalton, solemnly
even Miss Werner would not be guilty
of such an indiscretion.
"Just So" he said lightly.
Lucille raised her head.
Marie, tell Lord Merle that you did
mention it, she said, slowly.
Marie Werner locke ed up with an air
of dismay and contrition finely blend
ed
''Oh, Lucille, as if-Lord Merle, l
ought to tell you'll hope you won
think too badly of me, but-but / did
| mention it,
He smiled, but rather gravely.
ITO whom Miss Vernerg' :.
Toto Lucille"
And to no one else?" he asked.
She hung her head in silence. They
were playing the comedy with in
finite 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
maid was there, Susie Bond"
"Oh, you don't think" broke in
Marie. petulantly 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?''
bo ocEod uuiaf1v