=Wheeler.= (_reading_) Last evening a bold and daring robbery was committed at the residence of Mrs. Thornton. While she was serving her guests with refreshments, some one entered her dressing-room and removed from her jewel-case diamonds valued at a fabulous price, leaving in exchange perfect specimens of worthless glass imitations. Suspicion points strongly to George Graef, her nephew, as the guilty party. He was seen to enter Davis's pawn shop late last night, after the guests had left his aunt's residence, and pawn something. One of the diamonds was recovered this morning from Davis's store, but he professed ignorance as to the name of the man who left it. Young Graef, though he strongly denies committing the theft, was compelled to leave his aunt's residence this morning. He has been very dissipated of late, drinking and gambling to excess, and it is thought that financial embarrassment tempted him to commit the crime. (_lays paper on table_) Poor fellow! What an inglorious ending for what _might_ have been a brilliant career. _Gilded youth_, like the rest of common humanity, when it enters the arena against the sparkling cup, witty companions and fascinating games of chance, must finally succumb.
Enter _PETE, L. U. E.; passes through gate_.
=Pete.= (_bowing_) Massa Wheeler, missus sends her best 'spects, an' quests de delight ob yo'r pleasure to dinner, sah.
=Wheeler.= Requests the pleasure of my _company_, I suppose you mean.
=Pete.= Yes, sah, I 'spects dat's what she meant. (_aside_) One nebber knows what dese wimmin folks mean by what dey says, no-how.
=Pete.= (_looking at WHEELER a moment_) Sah?
=Wheeler.= At what time do you eat dinner?
=Wheeler.= What time do the rest usually "get through?"
=Pete.= I dunno. (_laughs_) Guess when dey gits tired ob eatin'.
=Wheeler.= You impertinent black rascal! What do you mean by answering me in that manner?
=Pete.= (_aside_) By golly, he's mad already! (_aloud_) Massa Wheeler, yo' knows jest as well as I do dat I was not sassin' yo'. Yo' axes me at what time I eats, an' I tole yo'. Yo' don't s'pose I eats wid de _quality_ folks, does yo'?
=Wheeler.= I'd not be the least bit surprised if they were to allow you. You have never been taught your true position, nor how to address a gentleman.