Evening journal., 1899-09-20


bedroom.
"It's a beastly shame ussented
Bert. They arc going to have dancing,
too, tonight
Ebert, I've lovely revenge for you.
] should die laughing TO see it, but we
mustn't. Sh',' and he whispered his
plan.
"After they had turned out every
light they could find in the house ex-
cept in the kitchen. where the three
servants were. and In the drnwlng-rco
Ito which, of course, ;hey had no ac-
cess-the young couspirators entered
their room.
Mrs. Ross, turning a deaf ear 20
Muriels entreaiies for quiet evening,
had persuaded every caller. invited or
unlimited, TO stay. \ set of lancers was
in full! swing. Mover mind il you are
not In evening Dress said the hostess.
You can dance just as well surely with
out. ] shall lose Muriel soon, and thea
shall be lonely enough
'Pemberton was Muriels partner.
Her white neck showed OF to perfection
his gift, which she wore to please him.
Darrell presided at the piano. They
whlrled past him just as Martin, the
new man servant-who was butler, foot
man or waiter as occasion demanded
was trying 70 dodge by with a cup of
coffee for Mr.. Ross.
Suddenly all was darlness-the gas
had gone out
"pemberton ard his partner capsized
the pianist, who, In turn. upset poor
Martin, coffee and all. Guests ran to
the door, to find II locked ON the OUT
sidel Has no one a maich?' shouted
some timid lady.
THUS adjured, the startled gentle
men recollected they were in the habit
OF carrying such useful articles. Half
a-dozen were offered at once, and the
gas, which was discovered 10 be still in
full force, was relighted.
"'1t is evident from the two facts OF
the locked door and the gas being still
In supply that the cause must be sought
outside, said Pemberton.
"The turning Of the key in the lock,
the sound Of retreating scampering on
the stairs, and a burst Of explosive
laughter confirmed his theory. The
t4yo lads had tasted revenge by remov.
ing the burner from the gas-brncket in
their bedroom. and blowing down the
pipe with all their lung-power till the
, other lights in the house went out.
"Muriels laughter at she boys monk
I cry turned to a vail rs she caught sight
, Of herself in the mirror. Horace, dear,
she said. Look! Ny diamonds are
q gone'
! "'Gonel' he cried, impossible YoJ
must have dropped them. They are IL
the room somewhere--they must be-
saw them myself as we were dancingl
o "a quarter Of nm hours search re
v yealed nothing. The carpet was turnel
4 back, the piano dissected. every articl
G Of furniture removed ffom'its place, an,
q yet all in vain.
"Gus Darrell whispered. some quer
n to Martin. Who nodded emphatically 4
e response.
" "'Mrs. Ross, Muriel, ladies and ger
4, tlemen,' he said, 4 am sure we are a
s. deeply sorry for the untOward incider
? of which we are unwilling spectator
10 A lovely diamond pendent has been los
IS In this room within the last 20 minutei
y No one has entered-no one has left tn
room. The windows are closed - III
d fire is burning in the CRATE; therefore
Ie the pendant has not left the room eithe
sc by door, window or fire CRATE, an
90 there are no cupboards in the room. o
a. behalf OF the guests and the one SER
SIS ant present propose that Mr.. Pembei
ID ton search the gentlemen and Mrs. Ro'
ID the ladies. am, myself, willing TO
c. the first searched
n "a murmur of assent went round II
room. All were searched. Nothing wi
ef found that threw any light on the fai
i; Of the missing pendant.
le "T am deeply obliged to you alias
sd am sure Mrs. Ross and her daughter al
re also-for the readiness with which yC
nd have submitted to this unpleasant o
us deals said Pemberton. we must smi
at the whole affair now and write
FL, down as an inscrutable mystery. Di
r.. monds are easily replaced, and, no
ty that every one Of the company can fe
a that no suspicion can possibly attach
in self to them, ! think the matter hi
IN better rest there
"Now, my boys, l am getting dr.
on Another whisky and soda, please, b
se fore I finish the yarn" said Neale,
nd he relit his cigar.
an Douglas Clipped in with; IN ini
cd It for you, If you are dry. l sec tia
ot Pemberton took the pendant himse
after bribing the lads TO blow the e
to out. He was not searched, you will G
a serve gentlemen! ! suppose he did
on to pretend he had money enough 10 ]
IS. place it with ease. Faugh! late su
eh snobbish ways"
De- Douglas, my lad. am glad 10
'h- forced to tell you this story to-nig
ms II had heard such story when / W
re- your age l should never have earned ]
er' tytle of cynic. Now I'll finish, pleas
ole 'Pemberton stayed the night at
llo Homestead. lie had his reasons,
said. Darrell begged hard TO be allow
,ed 10 keep him company. but Mrs. RI
M listened TO Pemberton and gently