The Argosy — page 87: what you’re looking at

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

74 The Diamond Bracelet. - the room, being hard up for money, fingered it, wished for it, and both you and the bracelet disappeared. Sir”—turning sharply round to Mr. Pullet—“ did a clearer case ever go before a jury?” "4 Gerard Hope bit his lip.‘ Be more just, colonel,” said he. “ Your own brother’s son steal a bracelet!” . “And I am happy my brother is not alive to know it,” rejoined the colonel, in an obstinate tone. ‘Take him in hand, Mr. Officer: we'll go to Marlborough Street. I'll just change my coat, and " “No, no, you will not,” cried Lady Sarah, laying hold of the dressing- gown and the colonel in it. ‘You shall not go; or Gerard, either. Whether he is guilty or not, it must not be broughtagainst him publicly. He bears your name, colonel, and so do I, and it would reflect disgrace on us all.” _“ Perhaps you are made of money, my lady. Ifso, you may put up— with the loss of a two hundred and fifty guinea bracelet. don’t choose to do so.” “Then, colonel, you will; and you must. Sir,” added Lady Sarah to the detective, “‘we are obliged to you for your attendance and advice, but it turns out to be a family affair, as you perceive, and we must decline to prosecute. Besides, Mr. Hope may not be guilty.” Alice rose, and stood before Colonel Hope. “Sir, if this charge were preferred against your nephew; if it came to trial; I think it would kill me. You know my unfortunate state of health; the agita- tion, the excitement of appearing to give evidence would be—I—I cannot continue ; I cannot speak of it without terror. I fray you, for my sake, do not prosecute Mr. Hope.” The colonel was about to storm forth an answer, but her white face, her heaving throat, had some effect even on him. Perhaps also he was thinking of his dead brother. ‘He is so doggedly obstinate, you see, Miss Seaton. If he would but confess, and tell where it is, perhaps I’d let him off.” Alice thought somebody else was obstinate. “Ido not believe he has anything to confess,” she deliberately said: ‘I truly believe that he has not. He could not have taken it, unseen by me: and when we quitted the room, I feel sure the bracelet was left in it.” “It was,” said Gerard. ‘ When-I left the room, I left the bracelet in it, so help me Heaven!” | ‘“‘ And, now, I shall speak,” put in- Frances Chenevix. ‘Colonel, if you press the charge against Gerard, I will go before the magistrate, and — proclaim myself the thief. I vow and protest I will; just to save him. — And you and Lady Sarah could not prosecute me, you know.” “ You do well to stand up for him!” retorted the colonel. “You would not be quite so ready to do it, my Lady Fanny, if you knew something I could tell you.” “Oh yes, I should,” returned the young lady, with a vivid blush. — Gomiecbooks.co