Untitled

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13546, 6 October 1909, Page 3

o'clock that morning in Covont Garden. Tho pattern on the back was th« same as that of the cards on the table. The count recognised it instantly. "May I ask how you came to have that card in your pocket, sir?" ho demanded, in a threatening tone. "Those are Sussex Club cards, with their monogram on the bnck. How came you by that card? How do yon come to have part of this pack in your pocket?" Before Muybridge had time to answer, or even to collect his thoughts, the count started up, witli an oath.

"Ha-ha —I have it! You are che scoxindrel who picked my pocket last night at the ball. I see it all, now. You know, we had our coats lying on the chairs in tho box,' , he continued excitedly, turning to Robinson. "Some blackguard stole a locket from my coat, and he must have taken a card with him. Our esteemed friend, Sir Robber's son, is the thiet.' .

The other men started up in amazement, and tried to calm the count, hoc noticing that Muybridgo was taking off liis coat, white with passion. A moment later it took four of them to hold him back from his declared intention of tearing the count to pieces. They tried to calm the count, who was foaming -with rage; thoy assured him that there must be some mistaKo. They knew Arthur Mtiybridge to be above suspicion. He would certainly explain. Explain! Not he! He would tear the count's heart out the moment ho got at him. Send for the police and search him. and then leave him alone in ib-> room with the dirty Italian for five minutes! That was all he asked.

The count reached to his hip pocket: then seemed to think better of it, and pointed at the cards on the table.

'"That is my card that he had in liis pocket. He took it from my coat, and ho took the locket at the Eame time. Yes! Send for the police and search him! It is proof! He is the thief!" Frank Robinson returned in a few minutes with a policeman, accompanied by the hotel detective and another man in plain clothes. The gentlemen gave their nam°s and explained the situation. The hoiel detective compared the cards carefully, arid then proceeded to search Muyt'ridge in 'a perfunctory sort of "way. Tho man in plain clothes, in the meantime, never took his eyes off the count. Finally he stepped close to him, and touched him lightly on the shoulder. "Pardon mc. Count Fabritti/'hesaid quietly, "but, if you are not the-Enrico Dorani who was sent up some years ago for swindling, I owe you an apology." An instant later the nippers were on the count's Avrists.

Muybridge placed his half of the nino of hearts in his cardcase again, as Robinson, apologised to his friends. "I mu6tgo home at once," ho- said, aside, to Muybridge. "This is terrible. Edith will die of mortification."

"And who is Edith ?" asked Muybridgo curiously. , ."I did not know you had a sister."

"She is not my sister. We are stopping with the Dangerfields at Richmond. Edith is their daughter. I always thought this foreign adventurer was after her money., and nothing else. You must meet her some day when we all get back to America—when she gets over this shock. Wβ are all going back on the Aladdin on Tuesday."

"Will you do mc a great favour?' , Arthur demanded earnestly. "Just tell Miss Dangerfield that the other half of the nine of hearts will be *>n tho Aladdin."