The Barnwell people. (Barnwell, S.C.) 1884-1925, April 07, 1892, Image 1
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Tin People Presses.
JtHVAi., M« r< anti]<- umi nii}»-
dob Printing
E^tM uUxl promptly ati>J in ttn
b»*>t style>on ttic 1'isoii.fc rn» :
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•H
1 T. WOOD*I
ATT ORMEY-AT-L A1
’ lUrnwfllf C.
Moxr.T U» lemi furini*.*—
ToHn lot^ urn] improvwi farm
laiid.^for aak*. W ill Megutiafc)
.al-s of « !oajwl »n»l timial
Unds ai d buy Mshoolaiideouii
ty < laimit.
- v
VOL. XV.
I, S. C., APRIL 7,
No. ^2“
Tiiti mm si
I know more almnt it than any ono
rise in the world, its present owper not
excepted. 1 ran ^ive its whole history,
from thertjingaleso who found it, tho
Hpanish,adventnrer who stole it. the car
dinal who Iwm^Kt'it, the pope who gnt- ini' ns in Ihe drawing room
cimisly Jtcccpt<*d it, ttie favored son of
the church who received it, the j$ny and
ftid<ly duchess Wild pawned it, down to
the eminent prelate 1 wljo now holds it in
trust as a familydieirlooin.
It-will ucciu.>.vjtrchapter‘ l to itself in my
fortiicoiniu" work on “Historlc Stones,”
Wliere full lieLiiiIs of its weight, size,
color and value may lw‘ found. At pres
ent I am ftoin^to relate an'meident in
its history which, for obvious reasons.
her grow more liervously animated*
Poor, dear girl. I never in .-Ul my recol
lection wished a dirjnet 1 at an Pud so
earnestly, so as to a>stir((iher of my sup-
liort an<l Minpathy, though without tho
faintest conception why cither should be
required. /
T-hc ices at last. A' menu c\vd, f« hi
ed in two, was laid beside ihe. 1 real
it unoliserved. “Keep Ihe 11. from join-
The ii.?
The bishop, of course. Witli pleasure.
Put why? An 1 how? That's the ques
tion, never mind “why. " (’on-M l lure
him into the library, the billiard room,
the conservatory? I doubt'- l it, and I
doubted still more what 1 should do
With him wfnut-1 -j*A
i The bishop is a.grand and statelv et'-
clesiastic of the medaiwarl tvp >, Irread
chested, deep voiced, martial of bear
ing. I could piemte him charging nw+ce
will not lie published—which, in fact, 1 in hand at the head“of his vuss.Tl^; or
ttUiil the reader”will consider related in delivering over a dissenter of the pmuod
stru t coiitidence. toAhe riwk and thumlwrew, but not
I had never setyi tlie abme itself when
1 liegan ti» write'alsmt it. and it was not
Until one eveiuug hist spring, while stay-,
ing with my nephew, Sir Thdlnas Acton,
that I tame within measurable distance
of it. A dinner party was impending,
and at my instigation the bishop of
Nurtliehnrch an<l Miss Panton, his
daugiiter and heiress, were among tii;
invited guests.* ' •
The dinner was a particularly gowl
one. 1 temeiidM-r that distinctly. In fact,
I felt myself partly resjK>iisil»le for it,
having eng ige l the new<’<M»k —a talented
young Italian pupil of the a<lmirable*oId
chef at :ny club. We had gone over lh'*
iii’-nu carefully togetTier/wait a result
r*-f resmug m its novel t v. hut not so dar-
pottering among rare editions, tall
copies and (irolier bindings, imr con
descending t<> a ipii*‘t cigar among tin*
tree fejms and orchids?' L* f * must ami
shoula 1ft* ol»eye-l, I swore, neverthe
less, even if 1 were driven 1« ek the
dis)r in the fearless old fa-hron of a by-,
gone day and «h*ol.ire i d sin »t any
man who left while*a drop remained in
the Unties.
Tho ladies were rising. The lady at
the h**ad'of the lint* Minit a**I and nodded
h»t pink pinin'** c<njnetti-!dy at Toni,
while her hawk's eyes roved k*H*u and
predatory «wer us all. S'ie stnppnl srnj-
detilv. creating a bt«s-k and confn>i<»n.
“All. the dear bishop! You there,
*«d I n«-v«*r saw vou! You must come
lug as to disturb tlie uiiuds <»f tin* into- ^ln«l have a litre - pr»-fi mlv.
l»* r smile
with q iiti
ts-nt country gue>u who \vre bidden
thereto.
The first xjHtotiful »»f soup was reassur
ing. and I l<s>k*‘d to tlie »nd uf tb*- (.tide
t'< exeliange .« nmigratnhit• >ry giauo'
with What was amis-? No n»-
►piiHc. Her prettv fa«s- was tbi-led.
«’*ui-trained; she was talking
Ulili*ss--»ary cuipresM'mrfit to
her in-ighUtr. isir Ihirry Lan*l*4r, though
L«eTa Is on** >’( tii***e few Women wi|o 1111-
der-tau-1 the import a nee of h-ttiiig a luao
settle down tMrN|iMlir nnd with ap un-
distur n-1 mind |otltr businesscf diniitg,
albMS ing n • to|4>* ttf scrimis interest to
none on iiefor • the r* b-ves, and r<*s-*rv-
tng nc re i-onvirsatioual i*ruli in - y lor
the entremets.
(ineets.i)l right? N’ • disnpponfmetits?
I Itad gone thrtMig'i the b»; t u,th In-r. -•*-
|ei-nng jn-t th • right to fa* a-k*d
to m*<rt th** I*.tM*lofs». ..nrnew m iglr>«*rs.
Uye-by-!'* rsiie slcsik Ifr fan at litiaov< r
my sh-odd-r and trip'n* I >•'!. beta, pa -
mg mi* last, g .ve tuo adook of profound
lle»p.ur. . •" ,
•D
of showing ii to yoit. It is at my banks
er s .jug in>w.” ’ -
Mi.-.s I’anton's Mej .-i were heard in the
hall. , k ' ' 'Vs
“Yoit are-welljinowrl aSn roivnoisseur,
Mr. Actorr." Ik* went on hurriedly. .“Is
yonr collection valti.g'ih-? If so. keyiv.it
safe; don*b trust a ring off your hand,
or the Jtuiwpf your j -wel case opt of
v. u;,r lx* ];et till (lie heo.-e.is clear again."
Tiie words rushed )r<lyi^Ris lips in an
impeluons whisp'-r; he ini ail
ing glance and departeV w/ttrhis*
ter. I went back to th«f/l rawing room
mV bend Hwimii ing with bewihlcrmcnt.
“What! Tiie dear lushop gone!"
scn*am'‘d Lady Parwitehct fro'm the
"T>'T\t rrl—o-’-r-ini.t;i -wher*e- she —foir-
roundo l by most of the gentlc*mcn, all
ajjiareotly well entert aTired by hefco^-
vi r- itiou. , “And 1 wanted to talk over
oel timbs with linn so badly. Ills poor
wife v\ is my giv ite-t -friend. Mirv.
Mont.•mat'danghu r of t ievgr. at l*ank r;
you kiioy.;. It s ii't j»>-<il)b* tliat that
iiiiseraldc little png i- my }M'or Mira's
girl. The h« iress of all the Mimtanaros
in a hl u’k lace gown Worth twopenei*!
When I think “Of bm* unaftier's fteaflfy-
and her toilets! D >es .sheerer wear
the sapphires? H is any bile ever seen
her in then.? Lleven large stones in a
iovdV anti juc M*Uing and tile great
YaJd^'Z sappliin*—worth tiioiisands and'
thou amis—ibr th«* iMMidant." No one
replied. “1 want* d to g« t a rise ont of
the bi.-hup tonight. It used to make,
him so nmd when I won* this,” ,y-*
8h** fumbled at the lae -s at h'T thn>.it
and • I;nv*-d out a js ndant that hung to
a Yyivet ar. '.m l h*T mfk l fairlfigaspitl
when -ho tuov«*«l li-r hand. A .-apphtre
of ir.-cgnlar s!t.ap • fli-li'il out i;s Mint
"Ii Jdidt. 1 ; '<tv tf<. t^t-mrtr -t^t '!—A tht^v
rich. n*rtjil.*w**r Mae even by that
w r. ti h« d art ifieh.t light, wftii -••ft. vel
vety d*'pt!»H of color an 1 dazzling ehyir-
ito-oi tint in its lights nud shades—a
►ton** io-r*‘iiicin)H r! I -tr ’ch • 1 out my
Land involuntarily, but lady t\ir\viichet
dr*ov back witli <% v>spn*llu*ii Mpnal.
“No! u«*! You iilnstn't lb •!; auv cl*»-er.
moved, tmi tliu «t(H»r iM-innd vt had been
bishop ami .Lady Car- Khastiy countenance to mu. “She vowed (•j.po-be to me at dmm r, my wrathful
fche Uould See tne ruined and disgraced, r indignation at the thought, of the pHir unlocked and left ojxm forconvenietico
I made h<*r my enemy by erossing Homo little exp.rtcd heir, defrauded ere his n f .Histiug Mrfud the wardrolw I
^ ’ ' U * V°o bir,h; ’ * M1 r i'U 'iiing contempt I felt-for , might asw-dl have liccn in the bedroom.
ahall .myself and lhc.bishiUi tm a pair of tvitr “Don’t tclf m*‘ " 1 reen'rni
f,
in** wii;
»
It tl
muat
tie -
ttonk of H it't\\\
1 «*j»
•f tl
1*
Shonldu t 'tho
witchet meet? Why is it wor^o for hint
than any one ebe?" *
‘Why? 1 tie mght everybody had
heard of that dreadful wife of his Who
nearly broke his heart. If he married
*her for her money it served him right,
but Lady Landor says she Was very
handsome and really in love with him at
first. The Lady Carwitchet*got hold of
her and led her into all sorts of inisohh f. 1
8iie left tier hnshand. be was only a re>
tor with a country living in those days,
and weift to live-in town, got into a-hor
rid fast set, and made herself notorrtms.
You must have heard of her.”
.“i ie-ard of tier sapphireSv my dear.
Put 1 was.in Hrazil at tin; liine.-’
“1 wish you had been at home, You
niiglii have, lound le r out. She-wasfu-
Tious because her husband iyfns<*d t» le^"'
her xfca'r^tlie great Valdez sapphire. It
had been in tltp Mofituuarofamily for
seme geiirratioiis, and her father s*‘ttled
it fii -t on her and then on her little girl
- the bi-hep being trustee. He felt
obliged to Take away the little girl and
send her of! to" he brought up by seune
old aunts m the country, and he locked
up the sapphire. Lady Oarwitchet tells
as a splendid joke how they got the copy
made in Paris,-and it did ju.-t as well for
{-•■.[ le to start* at. No womter the bishop
lutti $ i he vet y name W the stone. H
Vllow long will she stay here?” 1 asked
dismally.
“Till l<ord ('rtr'v 4 Vhet Can come and
^•ort her to P.tr is to visit some Ameri-
• an friends, (towduess knows when that
.•ill Is-? Do go up i» town, L-iiMc Paul!”
1 refused indignantly.* The very least
‘ I conh) do Teas to stand by my |HM»r
y- urig relatives in tin ir tronbles and
. V Ip iiiein LuruugU. I diil au. 1 wore
oat inferior cat-eju* for six weeks!
i is a tune I cannot tliiuk of eren now
•■!ihout a shudder. The more 1 saw of
that terrible old woman the more 1 de- .
ti-Misl fier. and we saw a very gre.1t deal
uf her. L**ta kept her word mid neither
in*»*pted nor gave inrititUMi* ill that
time. We w-re cut off from nil soriety
but that i t old ticueral Kairford. who
would go anywhere and imvt any one to
to get a lubber after dinner; the dtictor.
of her Hellenics once, and slm never for
gives. She wilbkeep her Word. I ahull iny'selfand th< bishoji as a p
apjiear before the world as a fraudulent less idiots unable to set* our wav out of
trustee. 1 can neither produce the valu
able confided to my charge nor make the
lo-s good, f have only an incredible
story to tell,” he dropped his head and
groaned again. “Who will Indievo tue?"
“I will, for one." ^
“Ah. yon? Yes, you know her. She
took my wife from me, Mr. Acton.
Heavon oidy knows what tho hold was
that she h.'pl over |HK>r Mir.T. ’ She en
couraged her to set me at defiance and
eventually to leave me. She was an
thcMileinma:all this boiling and surging
through my soyl # I Pail only Wonder -
Domenico having given hiiu.<vif h holi
day, n min the kitcheti maid d.oing her
worst and wickedest—that gotit or j irirl*
dice did not put au laid to this story at
once. .
“I’ncle Paul!” Leta was looking her
Sweetest when, she tripped into my
room ii'*xt morning. “I've news for you.
. She,” ^pointing a delicate forefinger
in the direction of the corridor: *»U go.
I recognized Carwitch-*
“Yow've not Men here all
Hwerahle for all the sea ml a Ions folly and irygd Ib-r Ikikums have reached Parisut
extravagance ».f poor Mira's life in Paris la-t add M*nt for her to join them ut-the
-spare me the telling of the atopy. Slie
left her at last to die alone and tin cared
for I reached my wife to find her dy
ing of a fever, froni whieh Lady par-
witelret and all her crew had fled. She
was raving in delirium and died with-
0*1 it recognjzingjne. Some troalile she
had Ik**“ii in which 1 must never know oje
pressed her. At the very last she roused
from a long Htui*or and spoke to the
nurse. ‘Tell him to get the sapphire
Mick—she stole it. She has riddled my
child.’ These Were her Inst words. The
Bnruejuuderatood ltd English, mid treated
lln-tn as wamleriiigs; but 1 beard tlnaii.
and knew she vas sane when she fq*uLc."
“What did you do?”
Grand hotel."
1 was-thunderstruck, Th** longed for
deliverance had but ronio to remove
ho]s lessly ami fjorever out of my reach
Lady Carwitofiet and the great Valdez
sapp1:ir«“.
“Why. aren't you overjoye*!. I nifr
ways in such ft flutti-r abont it?
something with It, tieter fear.
We tire going to celebrate the event by a ^>ver.”
Don't, tell |
cPh growl,
this tym* for tiothing. You've fyecn col
lecting for a Kilbnrn cpt br getting huIh
script ions for the distressed Irish Uind-
h*rds. 1 know yoh. N"' v -bin not going
to see myself ruiue«l for the want of
paltry hundr.*<l r or w». I ^**11 you the cqIi
is a dead certainty. If I could have got
H-thousand or two on -him last week we
might have ended our dog days million
aires. Hand over wliat ton can. Yon've
j money’s wortn, if not money. Where's
that > ippnm* y<ci st'd".''"
“I didn't, ,1 can show you the receipt
ed bill. AH I j»osjm**is it honestly cmno
by. What could you do with it, even if
i gave it you! You couldn't soil it as
the Valdez, and you can't get it cut up
as you might if it were real."
“If it's only l»ogris, why nr" yon al
l'll d«J
Hand
c
&
a* khug laugh
hug w *d**wer, ami
ly. rather rackety
a 1 taken the U*w
La< 1 v t ‘nrwttchet m*
•Ul
u r*
•r »
Not ||;
b T J et
town, but
11 i*l am t inn
l**-**ii I ite f *r
rival- in th*
L t«i - fault.
er»* cn , iii*r*»u
i hIbmky, ini
\
unty gat m r:tig.
•*•1 |*arty fr**u1
\,V
A
-kilirnl iii*-njjng •>(
1 li.*p|- u** , l alr<* ul>? 1
linn* r aiel tin—* >1 Ii
drawing r>«*ui. I
;
fer-i*
■\Xu%i ns
•v* rv
n
I
all
nailing int«
• tny fo*»tti an
d putitng tiie
-*Ah,
last
I * my t«*ilrt.
1 fi t her. f *r
1 an
n d'Mlblf
nl <>f inv-'*lf n*
iw.i’l.iy^ after
“L
Mai
iv war-'
d**i- n*b n.t* **!
1 t lift lit-tot •*(
vl-ISiti
% il*
t*. Her
‘ » nte 14 g.*||.
•ri'ly lt*><*n*l
“Tl
di-l
.lit**. It;
*. lay *lu* lia*l
iridul'gni Hi j|
Ser\ It
!e»n
i am** \ i
".ry tliat pr*»v
uk»-l lit * an*l
p* s«**-
ini'
1«* tn** i n
e f ( .r «liim**r.
hiiel i
*•,
Ar«* y*»4
gv».u g !*• weir i
four *ij*|»hfr.*.
-W
•fro i
(*i
ietr »iatil at the first
T i«*r 1 id iuntalioi,-
* l* brate*l stone; imt I
lytking mad** by tu
Art.»*i. never!” A
ntu amitlur ims'ki
lie* Miot- nr>U!il h
oil lh
the IhtlNTlys.
young c**upi*
cr Jioitst* for a
t*metl (terfeetiy
d in the e**ft living
.M o.“>r lion , in,,
in le t»- big barouche and Ike
»'b dittners. as one to whom short
•n-were n >t imknown. She had
rrr w>»y »*f grabbing an’l grasping
rvtuing hIm could—the shillings
•ii at whist, tin* Ik-sI fruit at dt-^-
k* |s*stage stamps m th * library
ii<ji-tliMt was itifinltelysuggestivB.
•‘tunes I could have pitndher, she
’ greetly. so spiteful, so frieiidl* ^
S'ays in id** tu«* think of some wick-
pirate putting into a p« aeefnl js*rt
Ii #*t the
‘What rNMild I? I sA»v l^idv (
ar
il
1 r«*
•I
til
with
ave.
N *t t!
•S.-I f
o t.'llli.
It
tin
1
natives, l*ii
ill/ a -ioif for
heal old sold loll
li*rj on**** more.
N**t till the ar
ingutfthed Ani* ru
r Ilia l*.it!» nsl oM
uu friendly tenss
Ins pirntical oi l
4itiid«*r. and Ins
mg to l»* olf raa-
When P'oilld til.lt
v.il iii Pans of her
i» fm ads. of whom
witchet. who laughed at tne and defied
me to make her eotib-ss or disgorge. I
bstk tin* [M-n*lant to iur*ro thin one
eminent j- weler on pretense of having
tiie aettitilf s*tMi to. and all have exam
ined and admired without giving a hint
of there Is'ing anything wrong. 1 al
lowed a celebrated mineralogist to see
it; he gave no i*ign”——
“Perhaps they aru right and wc an*
wrong."
“No, no. * Listen. I heard »>f nn old
Dutchman celebrated for lit- imitations.
I went to him. and he told me at once
that lui had Isnn allowed by Monta-
nam toct>py the Vaides—setting and all
— for the pans exhibition. I showed
him this, and Ik* claimed it for his own
work at ou«*e, and |>oiiit«‘d byt his pn-
rite mark ujHai it. Y**u Must take
your magnifier t** find it—a CJr«^*k U ta
lie al<M» told lin* tiiat lit* ha 1 sold It to
Lady far witchet more than a year ago.”
1‘iu 1.. i*_ml--"" , m .* uf litv
may. “0:1, why not ih** rubyT*
* “You would have yrntr war als.ijt the
table d»*ct»rati“*n," I gentlvr<‘iiiitide«l her.
P 1
W
I
I
tied W
Ii
;
ii
“With that service «.f tVown
r-p.ii"*- and orchids the ruhy
look ab-oluiely b«rliari«*. N'*w,
would have had lie* Liinog**** -••l.
c.ui“ll«*san ) a \el|«*w suit center” —
v “Oil. bii! —I’m so di-anisMiiie*! —|
wanted tie* by-hop to >«e \«.ur ruby—<*r
niiettf j our ♦ ngrac»'d gt*m>”—i--*
•*>lr tlear.it ito*i riw* tns!i ipVnwrrstmt
1 put thnt*^hi x You know hi- d iughter
i- heiress bf ip.* great Valdez sajs
|»hire” * *
•of eoitrse sh'* is^t^id when he lias
thecnargeof a stone th¥vc tiin**s as big
as yours what's the u>»* ofAr-- ir’mg it?
The ruby, dear I’ncle Paul, pleJtsc!”
She was de-jsTatelT 1 ft “earliest I Vsjllld
H-e, and con-idei ing t'ne obligitin
which I am supplied to he under t<* her
and Toni, it was but a .littl* iuattt*r to
yield, but it involved a good deal of ex
tra lrouble. Studs, sleeve links, watch
guard, all carefully selected to go with
4lie sapphire ha 1 to be changed, the em
erald which I chtwa a* a compromise re
quiring more florid accompaniments of
a deeper tone of gold, and the dinner
hour struck as I replaced my jewel ease,
tin* one relie left me of a once handsome
fortune, in my fireproof safe.
The emerald looked very, well that
evening however. 1 kept my eyes ujion
it for comfort when Mis- P.Jttua proved
drying.
She was a lean, yellow, dictatorial
young porsoti, with no conversation. .1
•vf poke of.hi't' father's celebrated sapphires.
“My sapphires,” she amended Hourly;
‘‘though t am legally debi^red from
making any profitable use of them.”
She furthermore informed me that sin*
Viewed them useless gauds, which ought '
to be disposed of for the benefit of the
heathen. 1 gave the subject up, and
While she discoursed of the work of tne
Line Uiblxm" Army among the Dosjes-
tnan, I tried to understand a certain dis- )
liH-atioii in the arrange*naTit of the table.
Surely we Were morijor less in iiimil*er
than wc should Iter—t^ipjsito side all
rigid. Who wax extra on ours? I leaned
forward. Lady Landor on one side of
Tom; on tiie other who? I caught
gliiujikesof plume* pink and green nod
ding over a, dinner plate, and Iwneath
them a pink nose in a green visage, with
a nutcracker chin altogether unknown
to me. . "Nv
, . -V sharp ^ray eye shot a sideway
glance down tiie table and caught tne
]K*cping t and 1 retreated, having only
'Marked in addition two clawlike hands,
■*with punt lace ruffles and a mass of
hrilliautr ring*, makifig good play with a
knife and fork. . Who was she? At in-
b-rvals a high, acid vows- could Is* heard
atddresMtig Turn, and a laugh that made
lt»' , ’Xhadd<*r; it had the qualiryTT tbe*^
Scream of a bird of pn-y or the yell of a
jackal. 1 had’heard that sort of laugh
1- fnry. and it ala'ays mad*; me feel like
A d**{»*t>#rU*aM rabbit.
B#err Tim** it i«h»u*1***1 l saw Let*'*
fan iluiu r tib*?*: fax,oJili au I Iter man-
D*-rbv
luck.
1 in* t
v.onM
un*** *in
it y.'tt
fa* r.
l 'arwil
white
obliga
tuui ai*
l«
1
|W 111
even
m out
in f<*r buying and gave tiu*M a g>*ucr.d
invitatioii here, as one doer, you know.
N'-Vi r e VJ* *eje 1 herd * turn up with lief
luggng* tuts afTerU‘*“»n ju-ri***f >iv dipi-
n**r. to-«t.-»r n ■BT'Hrnr a f*ffTlifgTiTtrtTi^ 1 *
yvitchet c;m j •m h>*r." A 'roan ofsym-
|*athy ran around the table. “It 4*an't Is*
ii*4|s*'l. I'v- told yon this just to siiow
that 1 shouldn't havi*a-ked you Iht** to
iti*'» t this S4»rt of i*cop]c of my < wn lr<' ■
will, but, as lr i-. plea-t* .-ay no .in.»r.*
Hlsctt tlg.*lll." The S.lbj. et Wa.- liotlir -p-
p-d by am' means, and 1 took car.* that
it should not he. At or.rend of the ta-
ble one story after anotlier went buzzing
atpittl'l—sotto vt*ee out of deference to
1 Tom. but perfectly audible. .
“CayW.iteled? Ah, yes. Mixed up in
that Il uvKpgs. divorce c.tse, wasn't he?
A bad lot. 'Turned out of tin* Dragon
(riiards for cheaHng at cards, or pic!;iu ;
p(H“kcts <*r something -remeinber- the
low at the Cerulean Hub? Scandalous
exposure—and that forgKl letter hft-i
ness—oh, thaf was the Hah:iNc ;)n“>. cu-
tion lnish(*d irp somehow. OngHt to Ik*
serving fourtem years—anti tliar-busi-
ness of ptx.r'Farfars, the bankers—got
hold of some of -his secrets and Idack-
j mailed him till he blew ins - brains
out”
It was so exciting that I clean forgot
the liisiiop’, till a low g i-p at my elbow
starthnl me. He wa.s lying back in bis
chair, liih jlii tliry si* ivcfi jowl a ghastly
White, hisMjerce, iii'periorH vycbmws
drooping limp oyer In- ii.-lilijie eyes, his
'splendid figure shrunk and , c*;dr.;cted.‘
He was frying witli a slinking hand to~
-f
.M,
,1
it
ed t
that
h:«. L
nn* It
. It wa
*H, AIK*
th*lh<
■ oin-s. ] fell :»
*,l T.- W.IH the
4*M I. even for
I ’d by a sha'.u.
y? *1 lie event**
of tile • verttriT Inrl tlrifr*' t T*f“l cotifu-ed
in**. I wi-i t *d to think titeiu over in
«pii>*t. I would go t<* L-d.
efy rooms at tin* M ir*or are tlr* M st
ill tile holls**. Let ft Will IflVe it >.». 1
iini-t «*\p!.iiri tin ;r p '-itio*, for a re.i-.on
t * be unde! -‘.cod lai r. M> bedroom is
in tin* southeast angle of tin* hoii-e; it
op ns on on** side into a sitting loom in
tin* east corridor, ‘.i • rest of whieh j-
taken tip by the suite of room- occupied
by Tom and Leta; and on the other sid**
into my
sent h e«
ch imis-rs ;:n to one of whieh u wa-
originaiiy tin dressing room. I’a^-ing
this r.K»ui 1 tiotieed a couple of llouse-
m lids pnqviriiig it for the night a,nd dis
covered with a -hiver that L:q!y Cir-
witchet wa - to he my next door neigli-
bor. Ir gave me a turn.
The bn h-[»'s stiai!.'* warning must
have unnerved me. I was perfeetiv safe
from liei ladyship. Tlr* ub-nsed door
into li(*r room was le 1 at: 1 tin* key
s.ift* on the ln.';i.k'*k'ecjM*r’s "Tu"ch. JT
was al.-o undi • ov rable ou her side, tie*
recess in \v’irh it stoo*l being com
pletely fill d by :i large wanfroln*. Un
my side liu’ngaThick soundproof port h n*.
N< Vert ;el ■ I ivydN ed n it lo u*-e that
' sdiL* iuiiaSited the IK Xt one
my po .sessioTiS, fa.-telled the
loor of couiiiiuiiication \vHJi Tnv bed-
we h
• ar*!
a i
rre.it deal. '
“('.tarmiug
“It i*
a t* rnble |>«».iti*
_ *4
>11.
*•. ..i.l
i" 'i; 1 *
*. tti'
.* B*
•Uiims. of (*1
rfcag*», the
“Il 1*
M y o*! rii*>t«H
• di**<l lat* ly. |
All • ■
ican
Fr-Ti
il Ii «.f Ttn* Kn
gtish Ik nn-
have m
•rrr dansl to h
live a not Ikt ap-
'hain|
y«!
*ii kn
low! 1 iieV ►*
-4'HK‘d to la*
p: Jilted
ifim lH*un*l t*
• band over Hie
Miking an
lllu '
oiiKioiiaide ti
itne to get
sappliin!
! t*» my daughter on her mar
there.
Si io
won
il*l have liiH>t<
i**l < ;» being
ring**, if
her liu*?»a?id c
*<*nsent* to take
inv* i
» if\v\
r to
N«»rth«*linrch
to call at
the naipe of Moiitnnnru.
J.
I 1
d tbat the 1ft-
l:«*
in*t» was im-
ig <*• nfinuatious at
bathroom, tin* fir.-t loom in the
•rrnl u\ where tin- principal guest
roonjwa.
1 r nit >v«
room and lira.
pour ont wiiK*. The decanter i lattcre.l across it
against the glass and the wine spilled on
the cloth.
“I'm afraid you'll find the room t/>o
warm. Shall we go into the libraryhx
He rose hastily and followed me like a
lamb.
He recovered himself once we gel into
flie hall, and affably rejected all my
proffers of braimy and soda—medical
advice—-everytiling else my limited ex-
jierience coiiTd, sugge-t. lie only de-
inamled hia cii^nage “directly,” and that
Miss Pantou fchould be Muunioned forth
with.
I made the l**st use I could of the time
left me. »
‘ I'm nncomtiionly sorry you' do not
ft*ej Hpial to .staying a little longer, tny
lord. .*1 eonntiHl on siKiwing yoti a few
trifle/ of precious stones, tie* salvage
from the wreck'of tny p i— - dons. Noth
ing in o-rtHpirikon with your own C(*ll«*o
tiou.”
T.ien I stowed away my emerald
my strong box. It is built into the
wall of my sit ring room’ and masked by
the lower part of an old carved cal:
bureau, j put away e>;en tho rings l
Vwn't* h ibiiuuily, k -'eping out onlv an
inferior eats *ye for \vo:>*adai* wear. 1
d to 1k_*
the otie r end *>f tile tlit*,'* .-v*. .
> I was ali.ne in the ln*lls«*i*tieaftermnui,
sitting b\ two wiinlow toying with the
k*-v *4' nu -afe and u-*n-4««i tug u lu-tiui L
l.ir»* treat niy-i if fo a |**s-p at my trean-
•uies, when a Hu-picious inov* uient in the
pai U Mlow caught my attention. A
Mack figun.* ••ertiiinly d'Klgcl trom Mk-
4 hiinl one tre«* to th** pext. ai.u then into
th<* -tiad<»*.v • if the pari? paling, nisteadnf
ke« ping t“* th*.* f< lot path. It l«*oked
pi«*er. 1 c-’-ught ri* my field glass and
aiarked I nn at one js4int where lie was
txiiind to couk* into the o)H‘ti for a few
Ueps. ,lJe cros.'ied tile strip of tuif with
gian* strid**s and got into cover again,
but red quick Enough to prevent me
rev.’g-eiving him. It waa—great heavens
—fin* bishop! In’a soft hat pulled over
tils fj.rciie.el, with a I tig cloak a*id a
big stick, he looked like a jn»achcr. *
(juelcd by some mysterious instinct I
hurried to meet him. 1 ojk-iksI tiie eon-
■M“rvai"r\ door, and in le* rushe i. like a
ImnJIed : ibbit. Willeuit explanation 1
led him up 1 he side st airca e to my room,
.vli'T 1 lu'dropp d into a chair and wijK'd
his face. :
—“'You“ire—astoni-hed Mf At*b*ur ? -4ic
pant«*d. “i will explain *!;.ectly.
riianks." lb* toss<“d <*(1’ the- glass' of
brandy 1 had i*oured out witluiut wait
ing for !4k' qualifying so la, and looked
better.
“I am in serious trouhle.' You can
help iheT Fve ti-el a stiock today—a
grievous shoe!:.” H* .-top’H*d and tried
a h'*avy\qrtoniau -ri.epub hiui-self--huretlu.*-?. ■ “I must-Lrust
Tim impjieitly, M-r. Aetou. I have , fib
choice. Tell me what you think of this,”
He dn'W a < use f;‘6ni liis lueast jun ket
ann. oiK-tied it. “I promised you 'should
i dinner party. Tom's hosyTtahUi soul is
vexed hy the lael^of entertainment we
had provideil l«-fi W<* must ask the
lirownleys some diy or oilier, ahd they
v.’IUlu* dclighte*'! I-* meet Anythipgiu
(Tie way of a ladyship, '*r such smart
folkspis the DnWrly-lWkent. Then we
lliajrtni- well have the Dlomfields, and
mr that awful moilern Serres dessert
ftcrvic* she gave us when w® were tnsr-
ri*-d.” 1 had no objections toftnnke, nnd
sh** witit on, rnblniig Imt soft cheek
Against my shoulder like the purring
little cat sin* was*. “Now, 1 want you to
do something to please tin* nud Mrs.
DlotnliehL Sis* has set her heart on *»•«•-
iug yotir riihi*-s, and M though 1 know you
hate her MlMuit as much as you do lluU
, bt rrrs etiina"-*—-
“What! Wear tny mWeft with that!
I won't. I'll tell you wliat 1 will do
i though. I've got Home carhifBcles as
* lug as pr.ze g'K**K*lK-rri**H, a whole net.
Then you have only to put those Dolie-
titinn^l.i-H* va**4‘s an«l can«leN*l>ra on tin*
table, and let yottr gardener do liin
' Worst with his great forced, M-entle-s;
vulgar bl'iuiii*, and we shall all lie in
keeping.” l>*ta |s*nte*l. Ait iil**a strin lr]
i tne. “t tr. I’ll ih» ns you wt-h, on otn*
conditioB. You g«*t Lely Car witchet
to wear her big sapphirr and don't tell
» Imt I wish it."
i
I livisl through the next few dst* as
one ifi M»u>e evil dreuui. The s.ippuire**.
like twin sj*eclers, haunted nie day and
night. Was ever man so tAtitaliz***!?
To hold tla* suadow and s.s? the Aids
s’.iti e «lang|**<| t*‘iiiptiuglr within my
r**a« h. The hishop inade no nigti of rid
ding mu of my itnwelcotiie charge, and
thu thought of what might hapiM*n
in r;ua* of ft burglary—a fire—an earth-
quake —made me At art and tremble at
all sorts of in<*p|*ortinie inoitietits.
I kept faith with L-tn. un*| reluctantlv
pr"«liiee*l tny M-autiful nihus on tho
nufht of Ik r dinner |tartl*. Ktncrging
from tny r<M>in I cam** fnll u|«*n Lely
1‘arwitclM‘t in tli« corridor. She tri*
dr**s*K'd for dinner, and tit li*’f throat 1
caught tb* blue gh am of the great
sapphire. L* ta had kept faith with me.
1 1 doti'i know what I stammered in reply
to her ladyship's glib rem.irks; my whole
soul wa* ah-orls-d in the contemplation
of the intoxieatlllg l*i\*eliu**s4 i>f tile gem.
Tliat’a Dalai* Kovnl di's'epiiont Incred
ible! My fingers twitched, my breath
cairn* short and fierce with the Inst of
p*•ssesaioO. She nniat have A»*en tbeisjv-
et**us glare in my eyes. A look of grat-
ifiod, spiteful coinplacetwy over-pread
1 li* r features, a* she swept on ahead and
«le*celid**d tin* stairs la*f*»ro UK*. 1 fol
lowed her to*the drawing r<s*m d«s*r.
She stopped suddenly, and murmuring
something uniuteihgible, hurried hick
again.
Kverybody wa» assetnhltKl there that
I ••xp*vted to see, with an a Idiiioii. Not
II welcome one, by' the li»ok on Tom'*
face.* He stood on the hearthrug c*iti-
versing with a great, hulking high
Slioiild«*n*d fellow, sallow faced, with a
lieuvv mustache and drooping eyelids,
1 from the corners of which 11 tsh**d out a
Sudden suspicions l<*ok as 1 nppriKM'iied.
| whieh lighted up Into a greedy one as it
rested oil my rubles, and Hi •••Hied UllAU-
count.'ibly familiar to me, till Lady Car-
witehet, tripping past me, exclaimed:
' *\Ib* h;is come at last! My uaiiglitv,
naughty hoy! Mr. Acton, is my
j ikm, Lord Cat witchet!"
1 broke <.fF short i;i the midst of my
lite ackiiowleilguients tb stare hlaukly
at her. The sapphire was gone! A great
gilt cross, with a Scotch pebble like an
lit id drop, was her sole decoration.
1 had ta put my peiufcmt away," she
dee the VaMer, sapphire. Look there!'
The vxhiez sapphire! A great, hig,
Rhining iumn of Lb .; "rystal-tlawics*
and of i *. i tNci'lor—tliat was all. 1
Th*- l•(’shop’* face was ghastly pile,
and the tnot-t’ir** start***! on In* brow. I
racked my bnuu for sofiio wor»I of com
fort.
“Mis* Panton inay never marry.?
"Uut sh** ivillT’he He'Uted. “That i*
the I low that has 1h***ii dealt me today.
My chaplain actually, my chaplain tells
me that Ik* i* going out a* a tcii!|M*runre
missionary t«» equatorial Africa, and has
the^n-sinancy t«» add that In* la-lieve*
m4Ml|iiigliter i- not indis|H»s»**l to mccoiii-
pany him.” ILs consuming wrath acted
a* a imtinetitary stimulant, lb* sat iqs
nglit. his eyes flashing ami his brow
thunderous. 1 felt for that chaplain.
Then he coll.ipsed tur’-erably. “The
sapphires will have to bcpriMlneed, iden
tified, revalued. How slialt I come out
of it? Think of th** disgrace, the tipping
up of oM scandals! Lven if I were to
cninpomid with La*ly I'arwitchet. t!i<;
sum sh«* hinted at was to<) moustroti.*.
She* wants more than tny money. Help
tne, Mr. Acton! For the sake of your
own family interests, help used”
“1 beg your pzrdon—family interests?
1 don’t under: land.”
“If my dnughjer is chiMIcPS, her next
of kiu is jKior Marmailuke Pantou, who
is dying ardkvmu-H, not luan u il or likely
to imf-r;?; and failing him, your nephew, explained confidentially;-* trie<l.ispTiad
Sir Thomas Acton, succeeds.” • got broken heunehow.” 1. di*ln't believe
My tiepbew Tom! Leta, or Lota's a word,
baby, might come to Ik* the possible in- Lord Canvitchet contributed little to
heritor of tin* great Valdez sapphire! the gen«*ral entertainment at dinner, hut
Tiie hloo*l rushed to my head as 1 looked fell into confidential tidk with Mrs.
at the great shining swindle lx*fore me. Duberly-Parker. I canglit hvfew' hnin-
“Wlfiit diabolic jugglery Was at work L telligible n.n.irks a*ro.“-s tin* taliK They
when the c>G.iinso^was : , nader Ijle- referred, 1 Hdisoquently di-<*oyeretC to
mainled tiercelyWv the lady** little l**;ok on Northchtm*
“It must have been on the last occa- races, and I recollected that the spring
sion of her wearing tin* sapphires in Lon- meeting was on, and .tomorrow “Cup
don. 1 ought never to havedgft her out Day." After dinner there wa.s great*t;dk
of tny, sight.” aljoiit getting up a party to go oii G«*n-
“ You must put. astop to Miss Panbrn’s Mai Fa)i b.id's drag. Lady Carwitchet
marriage in the first place," 1 i rononnoeiTWyas in ccstacies and tried to coax me
had .jnsy made-all sat'** when Leta t,i; j*'*d b)*>k if tip. breatlt^l^on it. drew cut tny
at tiie’«l »ir amLcane* in to wish me
good night. Wribe looked flushed and
harassed„ami ready to cry.. “Uncle
Paul, ’ she l***gin, *H, want you t*» g*>
up tb -town at oiieo and stay away till 1
send f<T you." ^ ^ -
“My dear:'— I was too amazed to
expostulate.
“\Y< 'v** g>*t a—a pe-tflenc * among
ns,” sh • d M'laiv 1. h* r Tsit tapping’the
gr*mu*l angrily, •‘and the h a-t we can
do is to go .nr** quarantine. Oh, I'm s**
sorry m;i*1 ashatM***!! The p >or bnbtop!
The lifithop clft-ja* 1 h
heart, ill* breathcain*-
lai
d Over
IS
“A return
plaitH*! with
tignkm g of t*
a<M? zvau—tL
tuUilrJ sic. •
iort and quicS.
»f that. dizziiK*>*,*' h«- cst-
a faint suiiie. “ Y *n ar>*
e \ il lex s ipjiLiiv, are y»ai
I u» tj* Uaic lac U- sxure
it 11 • - 11.111
tiMN-f that H •ttmti I** *•**. \4tifdid your
la^t f r me. Ifn l*t Paul, and manage*!
it all it** um*. . I
ha? what I let ween
ng r***.ui K -fiT*- din-
JpjK*-lta“ .m l- *.f tfic
tnrougii «ilooui a
A«liiiiR|b!y .i
-is ;*"1 ag »:n- ii ;*••
Jkh * diisk»*f the draw
te r and Wing put at
table, W“* mi gut
M> d-l.
W’i
inagnifl**r,*l'H*“ke«l at it in brie light arid
another. 'Vhat was wrong with it?
1 could not y iv.' Nine experts out of
ten wo’:!<l undoobi.e*liy iiave jrmuounced
the sUuie genuine. 1, by virtue Omsoine
mynteriou* instpnzt that ln^ . hithert
a I way* gni»le«l in.* aright, was the un
lucky tenth. 1 looked at tiie bishop.
His eye.-met thine. .There was noticed
of spoken \vor.d between us.
•‘Has Lely <'arwitrln-t s’.iowu you h**r
•sapphire?" was Jus ritost uuevj** '•t»*'l ques
tion __ “She lifts? Now. M/. Acton, on
y.'. ur honor fcp a conno.:-se"nr and a gen-
.tleman. which of tu * l.v.) is thv V'aWez?*'
- “N«H tins arte.'* 1 could say naught
cine.
Yort wrre inv list hope." .lie broke
off and drop|**s! fits face on hi* fi>i*)e<l
anus with s g- in tint shook the table
on Witirb tie r***«r-*l, winle I stood dis
mayed at ray^df for hattbif Jef fs 1»*tf
• juU^tu c: ns-xyh dm. lie UfU-d •
as iiutocratiCally as he could have done
himself. ,
“Not to be thought of,” ho ndruitted
helplessly. “Mira lus my fbree of fdi«r-
aeter.. Slid kuo,ws iu*r rights and she
jiviil have her jewcl.T, I want y*m t*»
take charge of tin—thing for me. If
, it's hi the house she ll
it. She'll inquire
you haVe it we can g.ftih time, if huf ff*r
adayertw**." He broke off. Carriage
wheels were crashing-on the gravel out
side. We looked at each other in-con
sternation. Flight was jm|K-raftve. I
hurn«**l him down sVairs and oqt of the
conservatory ju-t as the <1* rla-11 rang,
i thiiik we 1 '"tb l«»>*t our b ads m the,
confnfion. He shoved the cam> into tnw
hand* and I |H*ck*‘te.l it, witlmut a
thbngftt <*f the aw.fnl re**j».*n*il.ility 1
was tmurring. ami haw him •lisappt-Ar
int<* tne shelter of the fn^n«llr uignt.
When rthiiix of whAt my feelings wen»
"thAt eventog-£ftf tny mur*lerous hatred
of ta«C ttnirkin j, jesting Jexrbri woo sat
. “I cin’t. I haven't got it. I had trt
raise H^nnething on it la-fore I left town.”
“Wi.l you Hwear it's not in that ward-
robe? I dare kiv you will. I mean to
Bee. Give tuc-lluSkt key*." —
1 heard a struggle and a jingle, then
the wardrolie d*»or must have lieen flung
open, f**r a streak of light struck through
a crack in tin* wood of the Lick. Cn*e|e
ing close ami (K-oping through I could
k«o an awful sight. Lady Carwitchet
In a IlintHd wrapper, minus hair, tenth,
r*tttjnlexlon, pointing a skinny f*»refinger
that quiveri**! with rage at her sou, who
was out of range of my vision.
“Stop that, nnd throw those keys
down hen* directly, or I’ll rotme the
lionsr. Sir Thotuaa i* a magistrate, ami
’will lock you up n*f soon a* look at yon."
She clut* h***! at* the bell r**jie as she
sjioke. “I’ll swear I'm In danger of my
life fn*tn you and give yon In rhsrge.
Ye#, ami when y**n're in pnaoti I'll ke^p
yon then* till you die. I've often thought
IM do it. HoW als*’lt the hotel mbber-
b** loot MUinmer at Cowes, eli? Mightn't
the police Ul* grateful fur a hint or two?
Ami Imw ala*nt"—--
The ley* fell with a crash bn the Iasi.
nrcoiii|Kilin'd by soin** bttd htnguAge in
au n]s»iogeiic tone, ami tiie door slammed
to. I crept tP'inblmg to Iasi.
This new ami h«>rnble complK*Ation
of the sitnation fil'r*! me with dis
may. Lord Carwitrhet's wnlfiah glam e
at my rubies t<*ok it twit meaning.
They w**n* safe rnough. I la*li«-v«sl—
lint the • zpphire! If lie di*tieliev(*«! his
I mother, how l**ng wonld she lie aide to
> keep it fnitn hi* clntrhek? That she had
aonic pl«*t of her own, of which thw
bishop would eveiituslly he the victim.
I did not doubt, or why had she not
made Ikt bargain with him long ago?
| But *npi»iMiiig *he took fright, l<**t Iter
head, allowed lier son to wrest tile jewel
from h**r or give erfiiscnt t*» its living
mutilated, divided. I lay iu a cold per
spiration till moming.
i My terror* h.tuiiUs) me all day. They
wen* with me at breakfast time, wlieti
L«dy Carwitchet, tripping in smiling,
mi*!** a last attempt to indnee me to ac
company Ik r ami keep her “Dad. I>a*l
tioy!” from getting among “those homd
lietting men!”
They haunt***! tno tlin»ngh the long
peaceful day with Leta ami the tete-a-
tet-e tlimier, Imt tlmy swaruie*! aronn*!
and In-set me Hon*st wlien, sitting shine
1 over my sitting fonui fin*, I listened f*ir
! the return of the drag party. I n*sd my
Bews|ni**r ami bn*\v***l iiiy*<*lf s«»i1Ik* h*»t
strong drink, but there Come* a time of
night wlien, ihi lire can wann ami ml
drink can clieer.* Tiie bishop's duiqiair*
ing face kept me coui|Kftny, ami hi*
troiibh** and tie* Wrongs of the future
lair tisiIC |**-siy*«n*>tt t*f me. Tlien th«
uncanny noiv * that irtakc all old houm *
! gho'ilr duriiig the small hours la-gan to
make tle-ui-K-lve* lex'ird. Mudbrd f*s>t-
st«*i*s tnnl the corridor, stopping to listen
at every door, door latches gently clicke*!,
I lamrd* creskcnl unr* asonably, s**umln <*f
steallliy movement* came from the
locked np hithrooin.
Tiie welcome cra-li of wheels at las|
and the sound of the front door Im*II. I
could h**:»r Lady Carwitchet making her
shrill adieu to her friends and her steps
j in the corridor. She was softly hum
ming a little song as she approached* f
heard li**r unlock tier bedroom door l*e-
fon* entering—an mid thing to do. Tom
came sleepily stumbling tb his room
I later. I put my head ont. “Where G
Lord C irwitcliet?”
“Haven't you ^0'*n him? He left ns
hours ago. Not come home, eh? Well,
he’s wi k'omc to stay away. 1 don’t want
to se* more of him.” Tom'* brow was
dark and hi* voice surly. “1 gave hint
Mo understand a*much.” Whateverliad
happened Tom wa* evidently too Uis-
' gusted t*i exidain just then.
1 went back to my fire unaccountably
relieved, and brewed myself another and
a stroiigeridirewi It xvarmed me thirf
time, but excited tne foolishly. There
must be «ome way. out of the difficulty,
Lfelt how as if I could almost see it if I
gave my mini to it. Why—snppoee—
tiiere ruigiit be*no difficulty after all!
The bishojrivki* ft nervousohl gentleman.
He might hkv^ lie;-u mistaken all
through. B jgqert* might ha^ve been mis
taken, I might— Nori^LconhJ not have
been mi^t i’cen—dr l tliotvght. not. I
fidgeted and fumed ind argbed with
myself till I found I should halm n( *
peace of mlml Without a l«a»k- at the
stmie in my jiowessioh, and I actually
went to the safe and took tile Case out.
. The.sapphire certainly looked different
by lamplight. 1 sat and stared and all
but Overpersuaded by better judgment
ty critrng it a verdict. Bogaert's mark
i^TNl'bb nG feniembered It. I took
my magnifier nnd held-the pendant to
the light. There, scratched flpuu the
stone, was the Gff^k Beta! ,
There cane a tap on tny door, and
before 1 ccatld answer the handle turned
softly and Lord Carwitchet stood be
fore me. 1 whipped the case into mr
dressing gowu |iocket ctared at
him. He was not pleasant to look at;
ny. I *hUl hare to borrow *»ny irsio * esj*eciaUy at that tlms of uigbL Ho
fire before! can leave this. They II be m diaheveied. dsspaMte air. h^
fla.1 eo rngh to lend iL” j ruice wa* hoaraa, hia red
Not ooly iu-i t ..e portiere j6?ii re- e)id
nrtajoiiiiiig e Leta declined jiofeilively.
Toiiiftecepted sulkily.
The l(K)kin Lord Carwitchet'* eye re-
turned to iiiYqnind a* I locked up my
rubies that night. It made him look m>
like nis mother. I wVqt round my fas
tening* with Unusual Hire. Safe and
.'lj make me produce closet* and desks^nd doors, rtrp*d thrin J
atT*tl>* ^atik* *rV.. If all. Coming at length to the butlrrcoui,
it opene*l at cmift*. It Was the hou>e-.
maid’s doing. She had evidently taken v
advantage t.f my having-abandomd the
room to-give it ‘ f a thorough springCl* an-
ing,” and 1 anathematized her. The
-furniture waa »11 piled together an*]
v«nle<l with sheets, the carpet and felt
curtain were gom*, there were new
broom* al*out. As I peered ground,, a
V. ice clone at my ear made me jump.
Lely Cantutcbet’a!
“I t**H you I hare nothing, not a pen- *