'
'Sorry to disturb you, sir,' said the M.P., with a huge brass star on
his breast, appearing with great alacrity at the waiter's elbow.
'B'lieve this is your black valise?'
'Yes, that is ours, certainly. It has Julia's--the lady's things in it.'
'Suspicious sarcumstances about that 'ere valise, sir. Telegraph come
this morning that a burglar started on the 8.45 Philadelphia train,
with a lot of stolen spoons, in a black valise.--Spoons marked
T.B.--Watched at the Ferry.--Saw the black valise.--Followed it up
here.--Took a peek inside. Sure enough, there was the spoons. Marked
T.B., too. Said it was yours. Shall have to take you in charge.'
'Take _me_ in charge!' echoed the dismayed bridegroom. 'But I assure
you, my dear sir, there is some strange mistake. It's all a mistake.'
'S'pose you'll be able to account for the spoons being in your valise,
then?'
'Why, I--I--it isn't mine. It must be somebody else's. Somebody's put
them there. It is some villanous conspiracy.'
'Hope you'll be able to tell a straighter story before the magistrate,
young man; 'cause if you don't, you stand a smart chance of being sent
up for six months.'
'Oh, Charles! this is horrid. Do send him away.
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