The Press., 1899-02-02
HER DIAMONDS.

"Siri Lady to see you on most urgent
business. Waiting in the library-a
Nine. Otterburn.'
My knife and fork were down in an
instant-a fatal, never forgotten in
stant. Perhaps I alone knew that it was
madame's unexpected deposit of $780,
900 which not so long before had saved
the collapse of our private concern by
the most thrilling margin. And madame
herself was-well, the most impressive
and fascinating woman that had ever
swept through the bank doorway.
"Close the doorP' she whispered
quickly, then leaned across "Dear MIR.
Henry. had such vital reason for in
truding 20 late. There, take them!'
She whisked battered morocco case
from her seal mutf and sank back with
an indescribable relief.
"Thank heaven, now can dare to
breathe! l trust you, and-well, you
may have guessed by this that l am not
SO sure of my husband. Deeds? No;
they're part of the family jewels. My
aunt is dead, you know, and they only
came into my hands today. came here
like the wind. Look for yourself. Lock
them away, and-mind-give them up
to no one save myself in person. The
key-here. Mr.. Henry. aren't they
maddeningly superb?"
My lips parted simultaneously with
the lid. I stared down with a sort OF
sick feeling that had certainly never
experienced at sight of treble the value
of coin. There were few opals and a
little packet of seed pearls-but it was
the diamonds, a necklet and tiara OF
them. / snapped the lid and looked
across at madame incredulously. Did
she mean it?
s"Not here-why, nor' she exclaimed,
guessing. "To be lodged at the bank,
in the safe, you understand. Mr.. Hen.
ry, if my husband had the barest idea,
he would come flying back from his
shooting in Scotland at once, SO l place
them with you. in. case of anything.
Poor Otterburn - she sighed. "It is his
temperament. but he would realize upon
himself, if he could!
"To be given up to no one save your
self? Very good, you will lock it and
retain the key, please. Till morning
yes, for the time being they ought tc
be safe enough in this cabinet One
moment, madame. You must have re.
oeipt.''
I was conscious all the evening of a
vague uneasiness-12 o'clock. My wife
had retired-the servants also. 1t was
the queerest coincidence that decided
to smoke another cigar in solitude, and
that the weed burned for nearly an
hour, for just at the end of that time
the strangest thing happened
The hall bell gave an uncertain tinkle.
So down went, turned .on the electric
switch there, opened, the door-and
there stood
"Mme Otterburn!' said just above
my breath.
"Mel" Looking past me, she said it
in dull, mumbling voice. 81 have
come for my jewels. Let me have them,
please" ~.
Her carriage-where was it? AND
madame herself, as she stepped past me
into the hall, seemed somehow a differ
ent person. Howl? I could not sum il
up till afterward; but\the richness wal
missing from her voice, she was strange
ly white aud haggard, and she stared
ahead as if some nameIess trouble hat
overtaken her in that six hour interval
Gould it be-no, it was madame herself
"My jewels. pleased" she repeated
just a break in her dull voice. "Ee
says-he says am to bring them back.
or something will happen. must
She followed me into the library
"There, madame, just as you left them, >
and handed her the case. -. -.
"Thank you, thank you" AS sht
said it noticed a striking fact: Hel
teeth were gone-the two white rows
had often admired. False, then. THAI
explained the alteration in her voice
But she was moving off without an
other word. ..--
"Madame!' gasped. Her hand war
actually upon the door catch. - Really
must insist upon seeing you safely
home in the circumstances. 1t you viii
wait one secoud"-
ran up the stairs for hat and boots
But had barely reached my room
when heard the door below click and
close.