lady has fallen under the suspicion of being a thief?"
"Ah! that is where the mystery comes in," exclaimed Mr. Kingsley in great distress. "I ask you now, is it likely that Beryl, who has everything she requires—for her uncle is wealthy—and who would shudder at anything that by any possible means could be construed as wrong-doing, would descend to purloin jewellery from a jeweller's shop?"
I could not help smiling at what seemed to be the sweet simplicity of this love-stricken young man, nor could I refrain from saying:
"In answer to your question, Mr. Kingsley, permit me to say that the annals of crime contain many such cases. Unhappily, neither education nor moral training is sufficient safeguard against transgression, where the tendency to wrong-doing exists. In the case in point it is very possible that the lady's vanity and love of display have tempted her to her fall."
"For heaven's sake don't drive me mad!"
"For Heaven's sake, Mr. Donovan, don't drive me mad," cried my visitor, with an outburst of passionate distress that begot my fullest sympathy. "If all the angels in Heaven were to come down and proclaim Beryl's guilt, I would still believe her innocent."
"May I venture to remark," I answered, "that in all probability this sentiment does more credit to your heart than your head?"
"I tell you, sir," exclaimed Kingsley, almost fiercely, "that Beryl Artois is as innocent as you are!"
"Well, now, Mr. Kingsley," I observed, "as we have had the sentimental and poetical side of the affair, let us go into the more vulgar and prosaic part of the business. Therefore please give me a plain, straightforward answer to the questions I shall put to you. First, where does Mr. Tamworth reside?"
"He resides at Linden House, Thames Ditton."
"You say he is well off?"
"Yes. He keeps numerous servants, rides to hounds, drives his carriage, and is very highly respected."
"Has he always been kind to his niece?"
"In every possible way, I believe."
"And has supplied her with all she has wanted?"
"Yes. I do not think any reasonable request of hers has ever been refused."
"And now, as regards the charge she has to meet. Give me full particulars of that."
"It appears that the day before yesterday she came up to town in the brougham, and drove to Whitney, Blake, and Montague, the well-known jewellers of Regent Street. There she stated that she wished to purchase a diamond bracelet for a New Year's gift, and some costly things were shown to her. But after more than an hour spent in the shop she could not make up her mind, for though she saw what she wanted, the price was higher than she cared to go to; and, before committing herself to the purchase of the article, she was anxious to consult her uncle, since she is necessarily dependent upon him for her pocket-money. Consequently, she told the assistant in the shop that she would call again the next day and decide. She thereupon took her departure, and entered the brougham, but had not proceeded very far before the assistant tore down the street, accompanied by a policeman, overtook the brougham, which had been brought to a standstill owing to the congested traffic, and accused Miss Artois of having purloined a
