The Argosy — page 85: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

72 The Diamond Bracelet. “ Off with him to Marlborough Street, officer,” cried the exaspera colonel; “ l’ll come with you and prefer the charge. He scoffs at i does he?” — “Yes, that I do,” answered Gerard. ‘‘ Whatever pitfalls I may have walked into, in the way of debt and carelessness, I have not gone in for felony.” “You are accused, sir,” said the officer, ‘of stealing a — bracelet.” | Pes te “ Hey !” uttered Gerard, a flash of intelligence rising to his face, as he glanced at Alice. “I might have guessed it was the bracelet affair, if I had had my,recollection about me.” | ‘Oh, ho,” triumphed the colonel, in sneering jocularity. “So you expected it was the bracelet, did you? We shall have it all out pre- sently.” ) “T heard of the bracelet’s disappearance,” said Mr. Hope. “I met Miss Seaton when she was out this morning, and she told me it was one.” ma Better make no admissions,” whispered the officer in his ear. ‘They may be used against you.” ) ‘‘\Whatever admissions I may make, you are at liberty to use them,” haughtily returned Gerard. . “Is it possible that you do suspect me of taking the bracelet, colonel] ?—or is this a joke ?” ‘* Allow me to say a word,” panted Alice, stepping forward. “‘I—I— did not accuse you, Mr. Hope ; I would not have mentioned your name in connection with it, because I am sure you are innocent; but when it was discovered that you had called, I could not deny that you were upstairs while the bracelets lay on the table.” ‘Of course I was. But the idea of my taking one is absurdly pre- posterous,” went on Gerard, speaking chiefly to the colonel. ‘‘ Who accuses me ?” “I do,” said Colonel Hope. ‘Then I am very sorry it is not somebody else, sir, instead of you.” “Explain. Why?” ‘‘ Because they should get a kindly taste of my cane across their shoulders.” ‘‘ Gerard,” interrupted Lady Sarah, ‘‘ do not treat it in that hght way. If you did take the bracelet, say so, and you shall be forgiven. I am sure you must have been put to it terribly hard ; only confess it, and the matter shall be hushed up.” ‘“‘ No, it shan’t, my lady,” cried the colonel. ‘I will not have him encouraged—I mean, felony compounded.” | “Tt shall,” persisted Lady Sarah—‘ it shall indeed. The bracelet was mine, and I have aright to do as I please. Believe me, Gerard, I will put up with the loss without a murmur; only confess, and let the worry be done with.” ob Eomicbooks.com