The Press., 1899-02-02
R0!XALss::*;;:"::ss 90! !!
Makes the food more delicious and wholesome

And it was not until 1 had got back
to the smoking room that l recollected
I had actually omitted co ask her for
the return of that receipt.
A week passed. I had heard nothing
of madame or her jewels. Another
week When at last she was announced
one morning, | felt positively nervous
for the moment. Then in she swept,
her teeth as white, her step as stately,
her smile as fascinating as ever. Dear
MIR. Henry! About those troublesome
mining shares-should she sell or hold?
'HoId, by all means" l sat back,
with smile of relief. Ell see /
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 it!
For the jewels, 1 mean"
"Jewels? Destroy it?" Not in dozen
years shall / forget my sensations as
madame repeated that, her smile fading
inss u fixed stare. "Mr. Henry! What
ever do-why, you have my jewels in
the bank hereP'
"W whatl" Was she really made
How long we sat gazing at each other
do not know. "IndeedP' I got out at
length. "You sureIy-Mme. Otterburn,
cannot appreciate jokes of this order I"
"Jokes?" She had swayed to her feet.
"Jokes?" she whispered again. ".Mr.
Henryl I put them into your own hands
in your own house,"
"Certainly you did. And you called
ct my house an hour after midnight, ON
the same day, and took them away
again."
81 called at your house again and
Mr.. Henry, explain yourself, dol / was
never at your house but the once in my
life. 1 gave you the case and took your
own receipt. Really. I-this is too ri.
diculousl'' .t-@
"Mme. Otterburn, thinki It was
about 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. Igave them
to you, and you left the house before I
could get my hat. You don't remember
-that!"
"I've been robbed |" She put out q
shaking hand. "Mr. Henry, as heaven
hears me, have not touched that case
since put it into your hands. I did
have words within husband that night
when he came home, but fur you to say
II go ss4aight to the police. Please al
loF me t6SpassP'
"Madame,~ one moment!" I was
~ tc T Lot nox,
go off inspetuously like that. "Will you
wait-just three days? 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, it is the most ex-
traordinary one that ever saw the light,
Will you promise that?'
She did eventually, and walked out
to her carriage like person thoroughly
daz4ad. 49,,
could never say. had done nothing
Was merely waiting in an agony of sus-
I 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 IS
house and-what?
| 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 a finger in
warming, but madame had seen me.
She sprang up, with almost scream,
and held something out.
The jewel easel
"Mr Henry!.. Mr.. Henryl 1t was
there in my duchesse drawer under
some rubbish, and it was not there three
hours ago. See, they have not been
touched, But-oh, heavens!-it was
not there three hours ago! Mr.. Henry,
come here | never called for them
never did in this world
took the case mechanically. Yes,
there were. the pearls ard 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.
"H'm! suppose the lady knows that
these stones are only the very best
paste?"
''It's false" came madame's husky
whisper: ITS she broke off.
The door behind had opened and d
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 tc
move Otterburn, you got the case from
Mr.. Henry You know how it was got,
how it was put back there
Don't be a fool" he said, leaning
toward his wife. "The ease-you got il
yourself. Oh, You may Stare l saw you
with my own eyes You never walked
in vorr sleea did vou?''