to be somebody else; but I'm not, I'm not he-so I'd rather not see she-I am Teviotdale Twiddle-excuse me." "What!" exclaimed the old lady, pausing. "I can't express to you what I feel," I began—this was literally the fact, for the diamonds were cutting into my back like a twenty-bladed knife-"I cannot express the regret I feel at having been thus the innocent cause of your agitation; but-" The gold spectacles were through me again. "You're mistaken! I'm not the the individual you take me for." The gold spectacles were gradually sinking aghast into a chair. "I regret exceedingly that I have intruded, I assure you; but my name is Teviotdale Twiddle, I am fourand-twenty years of age." The gold spectacles quivered with embarrassment, and glared indignation. She moved towards the door. "I apprehend you, sir,” she said. 66 No, no," I replied-connecting the term with police phraseology. "Don't! I'm a perfect paragon of honesty! I wouldn't wrong you or any human being of a farthing." The gold spectacles relaxed into a look of reproach, then into pity, lastly, to fear. It was all over; she thought me insane-another instant, the door had closed on her I was alone. Time was precious-a moment more and the servants would be there to remove me as a lunatic, or expel me as an impostor; or to brand me as a housebreaker. Heart, soul, and action-all were instantly combined to recover the necklace. I seized the tongs-down my back they went in the search: they grasped it but for a moment -and down the necklace slid more frantically than before. I shook myself violently—and then I found the necklace sliding gradually down. It lodged in the heel of my boot. I recovered the diamonds; my boot was off; but how on earth was I to get it on where could I find a pair of boothooks? I searched the work-basket, pulled open drawers, explored every table; I seized up a paper-knife and a pen !-they snapped with the first tug. I grasped the poker, and encased that through one strap, and experimentalized through the other with the shovel, dragged myself across the room with the poker dangling at my bootless heel. I seized on the leg of 'one chair, and seated myself firmly on another-determined to pull on that boot or perish. With rigid muscles and extended leg, I threw my concentrated strength into the act and flung myself back. The chair gave way. Ceiling, floor, and furniture turned suddenly topsy-turvy, like a flash of lightning. I heard a wild and awful crash, as of falling steel. The first object that met my eyes was my boots elevated into the air, the back of my head being amongst the fire-irons in an upturned fender. All this took place just as the door opened, and Mrs. Scripp, her niece, and somebody else, came into the room. All was eventually explained; I was really a relative— but a very distant one. The niece of Mrs. Scripp, the young lady who had been the innocent cause of all my misfortunes, had been married in India, and had returned some months before, leaving her husband to follow her. He had been expected on the day, and at the very hour on which I made my memorable visit; but, really, the facts have affected me so much in thus attempting to relate them that-pardon me—excuse me—I can say no more. By kind permission of the Author. THE END. |