The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-24
Where ara Miss Covers jewels kept?"

that did not. found voice apough to say
in the same dull manner, safe 81"
Can you obtain access TO Ito them ?"
mo"
"Why NOTE"
"John Seaton holds the keys"
How is the vault protected?"
Might Waterman. big dog, iron door.
electric alarm"
A very unorthodox execration broke from
him and there was lengthy pause, during
How shall l obtain access to sale ~ -
be asked at last.
"Yon must have a written order from
Miss Cover, headed by code or cipher
known only to her and Mr.. SeatoD."
Again a baffled ejaculation. and he rose
and walked about the room, muttering
angrly.
i sat motionless. Eliminating deeply on
my idiotie answers. Some ready witted
men could have coined misleading answers
to HessePs questions without hesitation /
was not one of those who cannot be taken
by surprise. Ihad been taken by surprise.
How / longed TO be alone, 70 think this we'll
over. A few minutes more, and felt that
he was making rapid passes before my face
again.
Wake up" he said sharply; and started
up quickly. rubbing my eyes and looking,
L dare say. dazed and stupid enough. He
was looking at NE earnestly.
GU don't make n very good subject,
that you have been half awake all the
time, laughing at the ridiculous questions
asked"
"You are quite mistaken" / replied.
tfuthfully. and with great yawn. II was
not even half awake! That should live to
say it, who never believed in mesmerlsm,
except among parcel of weak, nervous
w0men"
Come out for stroll along the Shore"
be said, quietly. at IS pleasant evening"
40
quiet evening. GRAY clouds cast leaden
shadows on a slate-colored sea-
We Str0lled along the breakwate and
met an officer Of the coast guard, who gave
US the interesting information that bottle
nosed whale had been seen in the offing
We stood talking with the mani was de-
termined not to hurry-and then We turned
back with him. discussing the probable
capture Of the doomed whale.
HesSel asked jeStingly if | would not go
out 10 east harpoon with the fishermen,
and L replied with laugh: "Yes, If he
would insure me against the fate of JONAH"
passed a sleepleSs night, thinking over
the whole situation It was impossible to
avoid the conclusion that some danger
menaced Miss Covers jewels, yet it was at
present so intangible that l could not make
up my mind to take any one into my con-
hdence. / was not afraid of an attack upon
the vault; 1t was too strongly guarded. |
could only think Of One plan by which |
could insure the safety of the jewels, and
TO follow out that plan might place myself ia
al awkward predicament. l resolved upon.
il, however, and waited my OBJ orluhi,y
The first time cid John Seaton went away
for few hours, leaving the key with me as
usual, went to the vault straight TO safe
81 took out the lron-clamped box, opened
it. and removed the leather jewel case, of
which Miss Cover alone held the key. lput
a small letter weight or two Ii the box and
ni!ed 1t up with copies OF old deeds. receipts
aud such worthless documents. / replaced
the box iii safe y aud locked it carefully.
The leather case l took up to the second
floor, TO my own room, deposited il in
strong little box oil my own, and that III the
bottom OF my wardrobe, which was always
locked securely. The event proved that l
was right; but ] ositively tremble still TO
think how easily l might have been ar
raigned as thief had the jewels been found
in my wardrobe.
About a week after had transferred the
leather case to my own keeping John Hes
sci came into the bank, fresh and smiling
as usual. After his pleasant and courteous
greetings he presented to old John Seaton
an order, written in Miss Covers firm
handwriting, bearing on its face the half Of
the secret code, and requesting that the
iron box containing Miss Covers jewels be
given TO bearer; they WOULD be returned
next day. | saw Mr.. SeatOn referring 10
his private ledger to verify the code. smil-
ing the while at an amusing episode HesSel
was relating N his gayest manner. 1 could
scarcely contain MY uneasDess. What il
Hessel had the key of the leather case, and
should wish TO open il there! What If all
were being done in good faith, and he
should really convey the box safely TO Miss
Covert
After short absence Mr.. Seaton re-
turned, bearing the iron box, which he
wrapped up in browh paper, passing strap
round 1t for easy carrying. He detached
the key from his own ring and handed it
also TO Hessel.
See you lat Sir Gilberts tonight, Var
comb" called out Hessel. gayly. as he was
passing out with his prize. | only nodded in
response; In truth, L was almost incapable
of speech without betraying my deep
anxiety. The torture compressed into the
next two hours was iDdescribable; kind old
Mr.. Seaton told me to 60 upstairs and
rest-he was sure my head was aching
badly. l only shook my head and worked
on desperately, for l must be on the spot
when Colonel Cover and his daughter
would come In TO denounce the thief who
had stolen the Has ldine jewels! | did not
even go up to lunch, but made old Martha,
our housekeeper. bring me some biscuits
and cheese and a glass of milk. When three
hours had passed without auy alarm being
given, l went to the other extreme of feel
Ing. and could have capered like a madman
in my JOY and relief, for l was pretty
sure then that my vague surmises had
proved correct. When we put up our shut
tiers for the day the strain on my nerves had
really brought on a violent he ldache. ana,
after partaking of some tea and strip of
toast, was glad to lie down in my room
and sleep, which L did soundly for two
hours. / awoke refreshed and thankful,
dressed for dinner, and set out for Sir Gill
berts with light heart L would allow
the affair to develop naturally, now when |
knew the jewels were safe.
The kind old manager smiled and nodded
n a c 1 nd fOfd tn
enjoy myself.
Colonel Cover and his daughter had ar
rived before me- found both liz my aunt's
drawing-room when | entered.
Have you seen Mr.. Hessel, BertP"
asked Lady Varcomb. I'VE are waiting
Not since morning." / replied. HE
came to the bank at IL o'clock on business"
L made my way to Miss Cover, as | gen.
orally c0ntrived TO do within five minutes
OF entering any room where she was pres
ent.
did you show Mr.. Hessel my Jewels to-
day?" she asked, after our greetings were
over. HE wished particularly to see those
large ugly canoes III their old-fashioned
gold setting"
'Mr. Seaton gave him the iron box. after
reading your order, and he carried it off
with all its contents" l replied quickly.
She slightly raised her eyebrows, more in
amused surprise than alarm. "He had not
tuy dutuOIity IOE SUCH Il proceeding, she
said quietly, NOR had Mr.. Seaton."
''In what terms did you couch your or
der, Miss Cover? Mr.. Seaton Is rigidly
exact"
Not quite in this ease" she pointedIy
persisted. II asked Mr.. Seaton to show
MIR. Hessel all my jewels and inclosed the
key of the leather case, TO be returned 10
HE Immediately. You showed them to my
aunt, Mrs. Cover of Hardwieke, few
months ago. when [ could not go with her
at the time, and you brought me back the
key yourself, Mr.. VarcOmb"
Very true; but heard nothing of key
this morning and Mr.. Seaton is SO precise
and correct that am certain he has not
exceeded his instructions, as he understood
them. / assure you, Miss Cover, that
WAS interrupted by movement of the