“That looks ‘innocent,’ don’t it now?” he said, holding it up to the light with a chuckle.
“That is Miss Dalton’s bracelet; I’ve seen her wear it,” the young man thoughtlessly and injudiciously admitted.
“Oh, yes, no doubt; and you thought mayhaps that them glittering stones might bring a pretty little sum. I came just in time to stop this little game. Come, I think I can accommodate you with lodgings to-night, my hearty.”
At this moment a man came out of the house upon the balcony in great excitement.
“Help! help!” he cried. “I’ve been robbed! Stop thief! stop——”
“Ay, I have stopped him, and just in the nick of time, sir,” responded the policeman, leading Earle into view.
“Earle Wayne!” exclaimed Mr. Dalton, in greatest astonishment, as his glance fell upon him.
“Yes, sir, it is I; but I am no thief, as you very well know.”
“No, this does not look like it!” interrupted the policeman, flourishing the bracelet conspicuously.
“I have committed no robbery,” asserted Earle, with quiet dignity; “and I did not see that bracelet until you picked it up and showed it to me. It must have been dropped by one of the robber, who fled after I was knocked down;” and he went on to explain how he happened to be there, and what he had seen and heard.