Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-07-31
THE LOST JEWELS.


mand TO discover the whereabouts OF
Lady Merton's jewels and of the man
or woman who mad stolen them.
James Blayne was n promising young
member OF the detective force on the
lookout for the lucky step that should
lift him above the level of his COM
peers, and when the Merton robbery
was entrusted TO his care he thought
he had got his chance at last.
1t certainly was rather an interest
ing case.
About three weeks before the day on
which we record Mr.. Blaync's loss of
temper pretty Lady Merton, as might
have been gathered from the newspa-
per- was spending solitary evening
in her house in Brook street. Sir
Robert was dining with an old friend
some little way out of town. and not
returning until morning, and my lady
had intended going to the play with
some friends. But late in the after
noon she altered her plans, dispatched
note begging to be excused on ac-
count OF u severe headache from join
ing the party, and with curious
feminine idea Of comfort and indul-
Cence told her maid that she would
not 20 down stairs again, but would
have some dinner ION tray" in her
boudoir at 1880.
At 10 o'clock she rang her bedroom
bell, and saying that her head still
ached badly and she should go to bed,
dismissed her maid, requiring nothing
more that night. Before leav-
Il, hn
go to the jewelers. the next morning
early, as had been arranged, TO take
there for repair a diamond brooch for
her mistress. Yes. adding, as her
maid topened the Jewel case to take
out the brooch, "oh, leave it till the
morning"
The box was relocked and the key
was put in its usual place in one OF the
dressing table drawers. The butler
stated that at 1880 the house was shut
up and every one went TO bed,
The next morning, Lady Merton,
finding her headache no better kept
her room darkened until after 10
o'clock, when some tea was brought
TO her by her maid. The latter thea
went to the jewel case for the broken
with the key lying near, hastily opened
it and cried out her discovery of the
robbery TO her mistress.
This was the story that in twenty
four hours was known to most news
paper readers in this country. and this
was the story that about three weeks
later was trying Mr.. James Blayne's
temper Again and again he reviewed
the few heads Of the case.
So Mr.. Blayne was little out of
temper with his tagging luck, and he
decided to get two or three day 5
leave, and then, having rested his rid
die bit, TO start afresh at reading it.
Thus he found himself on the after
noon of August l3-his request for leave
ofabsence had been granted-talking to
pretty neat looking girl at n small,
semi-detached villa on the outskirts OF
the new and fashionable watering
place. Stonelay.
so you've been getting on pretty
we'll eh, Nellie?" he asked.
oh, yes, Jem. very The air here
seems TO be quite setting me up, so
fancy had been working bit too
hard, though | always said it was
mothers nonsense. It's true it's rath-
er dull here, but then | often go into
Stonelay and have a look at the smart
visitors So, even if Aunt Sarah is
snappy at times, j don't mind. She
kind enough. really"
"She couldn't have gotten anyone
else to bring her here, so she ought TO
be. | bet the beastly water puts an
edge on temper like hers! Yes
expect it's pretty dull alone with her.
Poor Nelly"
'Oh don't mind; and we've got a
new neighbor."
old Mrs. what's name, you
told me of. gomez"
No. She's got new lodger-a
man-good looking, rather She
brought him in one day to tea and we
meet him now and then on the road.
But he doesn't 90 out much. y
oh hiding on some count, is he?'
asked Jem rather snappishly OF the
pretty dressmaker
Nonsense Jem, be isn't hiding.
He il drinking the waters, he says,
and he has very pretty sister.
SISTER, Then they both lodge next
door,"
NO. She comes TO see him. She
Is lady's maid staying at Stonelay.
The husband of the lady she is with is
drinking the waters"
ugh! lady's maid2" said Blayse,
spitefully, thinking OF his recent trials.
with which his fianeee was acquainted
Really, Jem. believe your failing
TO fix the stealing business on the poor
ladys maid has made you hate the lot
And talking OF your jewel affair, FIND
while you lose"
''lIow do you meanT
why, yesterday ] found such g
lovely button on the path just outside
here. II was sparkling in the sun and
picked it up and brought it in.
went into old Mrs. Browns TO ask Mr..
Martin cher lodper) il he knew any.