The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-12-15

need not ask as to whether you reached
home safely with your treasure. Do
you happen to have that recei pit with
you, madame, or did you destroy it1
For the jewels, mean"
"Jewels? Destroy it?' Not in a dozen
years shall forget my sensations as
madame repeated that, her smile fading
into fixed stare "Mr. Henry What
ever do-why, you have my jewels in
the bank herel''
"W what" Was she really mad?
How long we sat gazing at each other
do not know. "Indeedl" got out at
length. lyon surely-Mme. Otterburn,
cannot appreciate jokes of this order"
"Jokes9" She had swayed to her feet.
"JokesP" she whispered again. "Mr.
Henry l put them into your own hands
in your own house.
Certainly you did. ,ARd You called
at my house an hour after midnight, on
the same day. and took them away
again. -
II called at your house again and
Mr.. Henry, explain yourself, dol | was
never at your house but the once in my
life. | gave you the case and took your
own receipt Really, this is too ri
dioulousi''
"Mme. Otterburn, Think 1t was
about l O'Clock. You rang the bell
twice. You seemed to be in trouble
your husband. you simply said, had told
you to get back the jewels. gave them
to you, and you left the house before I
could get my hat You don't remember
--thatf"
"I've been robbedl" She put out a
shaking hand. "Mr. Henry, as heaven
hears me, l have not touched that case
since put it into your hands. did
have words with my husband that night
when he came home, but for you to say
Il 60 straight to the police. Please al
low me to passP'
Madame, one momenti" l was
gathering my wits l must not let her
go off impetuously like that. Twill you
wait-just three daysf If in three days
nothing transpires, I'll call in the first
detective in London at our own expense
Madame, you must. 1t there is any
mystery behind this, 1t is the most ex-
traordinary one that ever saw the light
Will you promise thatT'
She did eventually, and walked out
to her carriage like person thoroughly
dazed.
Those three days went by-how l
could never say l had done nothing
Was merely waiting in an agony of sUs
pense. And then ON the third evening
received telegram. 1t was from ma
dame. "Come here instantly"
stood in sweat of hesitation for
awhile, and then took cab direct to
the office of we'll known private de-
tective By the merest chance he was
in. Five minutes later the pair of US
were bowling along toward madame g
house and-whatp
A maid, looking scared, showed us
up at once to madame's boudoir. There
lay madame on a couch, and there was
a stencil of eau de cologne, and DOCTOR
STOPPING over her, held up finger in
warning, but madame had seen me
She sprang up, with almost a scream,
and held something out.
The jewel casel
Mr.. Henry Mr.. Henry 1t was
there in my duchesse drawer under
some rubbish, and it was not there three
hours ago. See, they have not been
touched Butch, heavensi-it was
not there three hours agol Mr.. Henry,
come herel never called for them
never did in this world.
took the case mechanically. Yes,
there were the pearls and opals safe
enough-and the diamonds, above all.
The one thing that seemed clear now
was that madame's mind had gone.
What else?
"Er-let me see those. 1t was the
detectives quiet voice at my shoulder.
Him / suppose the lady knows that
these stones are only the very best
paste?''
Its false" came madames husky
whisper. "It's''- she broke off
The door behind had opened and a
small, dark, pale man stood staring in
the opening
Before we could think or he could
turn husky whisper Missed across the
room and made US all start
"Ah-h |" it said, and her finger reach
ed out at him. "You-you dare to
move Otterburn, you got the case from
Mr.. Henry. You know how it was got.
how it was put back there.
Don't be FOOL he said leaning
toward his wife. 1.-The case-you got it
yourself Oh, you may stare. | saw you
with my own eyes You never walked
in your sleep, did you?''
"There's Mr.. Marsh. He'll tell you
that he has known about madame in
somnia for years. Her brain impels her
to do outrageous things in her sleep.
but she'll always deny it,
"Quite so. The doctor, looking
round from the couch, was the first &c
speak. 81 know Mrs Otterburn tooJ II
| may say SO, this gentleman here says
well, he states that the real stones
have been extracted. Perhaps that car
be explained away too. -
He halted, looking around. No one
smiled. No one spoke. OF a sudden be
snatohed a small packet from his vest
pocket and flung it toward the couch.
"All right then, there's her rea.
precious stones. Now she can say and
do what she likes, can't she?"-Tit
Bits.
POIand's Salt Mines.
The salt mines of Wieliezka, neal