The Argosy — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

The Diamond Bracelet. 75 The colonel, beset on all sides, had no choice but to submit ; but he did so with an ill grace, and dashed out of the room with Mr. Pullet, as fiercely as though he had been charging an enemy at fulltilt. ‘‘ The sentimental apes these women make of themselves!” cried he, in his polite way, when he got Mr. Pullet in private. ‘Is it not a clear case of guilt?” ‘“‘In my private opinion, it certainly is,” was the reply ; “‘ though he carries if off with a high hand. I suppose, colonel, you still wish the bracelet to be searched for?” ‘Search in and out, and high and low; search everywhere. The rascal! to dare even to enter my house in secret!” ““ May I be allowed to inquire, colonel, whether the previous estrange- ment between you and your nephew had anything to do with money matters P ” “No,” said the colonel, turning more crusty at the thoughts called up. “I fixed upon a wife for him, and he wouldn’t have her; so I turned him out of doors and stopped his allowance.” “Oh,” was the only comment of Mr. Pullet. Il. Ir was the following week, and Saturday night. Thomas was standing at Colonel Hope’s door without his hat, a pastime he much favoured, and chatting to an acquaintance, when he perceived Gerard come tearing up the street. Thomas’s friend backed against the rails and the spikes, and Thomas himself stood with the door in his hand, ready to touch his hair to Mr. Gerard, as he passed. Instead of passing, how- ever, Gerard cleared the steps at a bound, pulled Thomas with himself inside, shut the door, and doubled-locked it. Thomas was surprised in all ways. Not only at Mr. Hope’s coming in at all, for the colonel had most solemnly interdicted'it, but at the suddenness and strangeness of the action. ) ‘““ Cleverly done,” quoth Gerard, when he could get his breath. ‘I saw a shark after me, Thomas, and had to make a bolt for it. Your having been at the door saved me.” Thomas turned pale. “Mr. Gerard, you have locked it, and I'll put up the chain, if you order me, but I’m afeared it’s going again’ the law to keep out them detectives by force of arms.” “What's the man’s head running on now?” returned Gerard. ‘There are no detectives after me: it was only a seedy sheriff's officer. Psha, Thomas! there’s no worse crime attaching to me than a slight suspicion of debt.” ‘I’m sure I trust not, sir: only master will have his own way.” “Is he at home ?” . “He is gone to the opera with my lady. The young ladies are up- CORnIICEOOO SS (©)