Evening star., 1896-02-22

servants Nor she hadn't for Sir Henry,
neither, though he wouldn't hear a word
against herl But I. for one. wasn't sur
will, for knew he loved his son at heart,
though my lady had come SO much be-
tween them of late years. He never really
meant to leave his money away from Mas
ter Charles, not for one moment; and my
lady, she knew as much, too! I've heard
her coax him again and again to give her
them jewels. but he always made the same
answer, that they weren't his to giver'
'Is this all you can tell me, Mrs. Mel
son?"
'It is all, SIR"
(Which of the other servants saw the
most of Sir Henry in his last hourS?"
"Only Rachel Marks. sirr'
"Well, send Rachel Marks to me herew
The old woman cUrtsied herself out of the
rccm again. and in another minute her place
was taken by bright, rosy-cheeked girl of
about twenty, all giggles and bushes, stuff
hng corner of her apron in her mouth the
while she spoke to Inc.
Are you called Rachel Marks?" began
"Oh. yes, sir; but hope you're not going
to write down anything I say. because
never set eyes on them jewels till my lady
called me to her and asked me If they
wasn't beautiful. and she said they would
died, and all l answered was: Yes, and
never see them again, sir, as sure as I'm q
living woman!'
81 am certain you did not! How could
Have you young man, Rachel? But I
needn't ask the question. You're too pretty
girl to want beaup'
Rachel redeemed and smiled.
IT'S like your imper'ence to ask" she re-
Piled, with the effrontery with which a
pretty woman always feels she can address
even constable of the law; but Of course
l have. Haven't you young woman your
self, now?"
"And you met him on the Tuesday even
ing following the day you saw the jewels?"
''Pm sure I didn't" said Rachel, opening
her eyes. you ask Mrs. Nelson if 1 did.
Why, l only Lave every other Sunday out.
And Tuesday evening IS my time for wash
ing the fine things. and 1 always do them
in her room. 50 she's the best person to
apply to II you want to know where
was on Tuesday evening. But what II
did 90 out? What do you want to insin-
uate?"
Nothing. my dear. nothing" replied in
my pleasantest mariner, land how many
more maids are there at The Gables besides
yourself?''
There's only Molly. the kitchen maid, and
Miss Townsend, my ladys own maid sir,
and Molly she's never uDstairs, and Miss
IoTnserl shes never down stairs, so they
ditiE't hear f:othing of the quarrelng and
that"
Nevertheless, it was my duty to cross
question them all. which 1 did. but with
out eliciting anything satisfactory concern
ing the loss of the jewels I next went
through the entire house with Sir Charles
E.iieSHleGe, CarSluliy examining every place.
nook or box where the heirloom might by
haphazard be concealed, followed all the
time by the dwarf. Julia Craley, who nod
ded her imbecile head from side to side
and clapped her hands as if she understood
what we were Saying-but we found no
sign nor token Of them. and I felt con-
vinced they were not in the house. I was
reluctantly compelled to tell the baronet
that l had been unable yet to come to
any conclusion on the matter, but must
ask leave to return to my hotel and take
counsel with myself. Meanwhile he was
to see that no one left The Gables, except
for n promenade. AS soon as | re-entered
the hotel. l wired to our chief at Scotland
Yard: Cannot trace. Send Crewe up by
rext train. Want assistance"
My chum arrived true to time. and
laid the whole story as I had gathered 1t
before him.
PART "
Ben Crewe was a man Of a long head
and solid judgment. He thought slowly,
but, as a rule, he thought sure, and he
generally came to the right conclusion
We had been acquainted ever since we en-
tered the force, and had worked deal to-
gether. and knew each others methods and
ways. I told him everything I had seen
and observed and waited rather anxious
my idea there could be no doubt who had
committed the robbery. but Ben would
not give any opinion on the subject.
You know. Jack" he said, that you
must always give me time to think over