The Delawarean., 1900-09-08


most absurd, but of course the man
felt bound to make a move of some
sort. The jewelry had been locked up
for four days, and things had quieted
down, when the colonel started to pro-
duce it in honor of a government Off
cial who was to arrive that evening. 1
say he started to, because he no sooner
attempted to unlock the safe than he
discovered that the bolts had been
shot. AS he pulled the door open he
uttered a groan, and the sight of his
haggard face was evidence enough
that something was wrong. The safe
had been opened by means of a key.
hut had not been locked again. Every
article of jewelry was gone and the
value of the lot was not cent under
100000. In seeking to render his guests
safe the colonel had helped to despoil
them. 1t was impossible to say at
what date the robbery had happened,
and the only thing to do was to tele-
graph up to London for a detective.
While waiting his arrival no servant
was allowed off the grounds, and of
course no guest could well leave while
under fire, 1t was a painful position
for every one, and the detective ratheg
added to 1t when he got to work. AS
Soon as he was in possession OF all the
facts he said to the colonel:
'These robberies were committed by
one of your guests. They must all as
semble in the drawing room and sub
nit to have their rooms searched
Rather than subject them to such an
indignity the colonel offered to pay the
full loss out of his own pocket, but this
no one would hear to. All were willing
for the search to go on, and host, host
ess and detective made it. Nothing
was found. The detective clung to his
theory, however, and took another look
at the rooms and was given the names
Of their occupants. There were three
rooms which communicated, and those
three were occupied by the colonel, his
wife and little Mrs. Hope. The door
between the rooms of the colonel and
AIRS. Hope was boltcd on her side and
had been for years. This door caught
the eye of the detective and after an
examination Of the bolt he said:
'This bolt has been worked within
three or four days, as any locksmith
will tell you, and this door has also
been opened
DO you know what you are saying?"
sternly demanded the colonel
Il do, sir. You carry the key of the
safe in your pocket. To get that key
some one has entered your room by
this door at night"
But Mrs. Hopes effects have been
searched along with the rest"
Her effects-yes. She has the jewel
ry on her person. Let your wife search
her.
The colonel was furious and his wife
indignant. They would answer for lit
tie Mrs. Hope as for themselves.
Il can do no more" answered the de-
teetiye. zone of your guests is the
robber, and it is the guest occupying
this room. If you will call her up here.
l believe l can break her down in ten
minutes"
After long hesitation little Mrs. Hope
was called up. She came smiling1y,
and no pair of eyes ever revealed
greater innocence. A layman would
have sooner suspected a toddling babe
"Now, then began the detective,
you are the robber. You took Mrs.
Whites jeWelry. and you robbed the
coloners safe. You got the key from
his trousers by opening this door You
have the iewelry on your person"
For the space of 80 seconds the baby
faced woman regarded him with won
der Indignation. fear and anguish.
| Then she gasped for breath and sank
down in her tracks.
"Search her. said the detective as he
left the room. Ten minutes later he
was called in. The little woman lay
weeping on the sofa. and the missing
jewelry was spread out on the table.
God help usr' said the colonel as he
looked from the officer to the recovered
treasure and back.
eve must help ourselves" replied
the man as he looked at the woman
with pity in his eyes. Mrs. Saun-
ders, your maid must go. You must
fix the price with her. She must get
away as soon as possible, and the plum
der must be found in her room later on.
She will get safe away"
Three hours later the jewelry was
found" in the maids room, and every
body else was cleared of suspicion and
made happy. The maid had been gone
two hours. ana the detective doubted
whether she could be found in big Lon
don, though of course he would use ev-
cry effort. Little Mrs. Hope was i'll for
day or two under the nervous exeite<
meEt and so had a good excuse for
leaving Rose Hill. So far as l know
not one of the guests suspected her.
Indeed as the maid had left written
confession before she holted how could
any one else be suspected? This being
the case, you may wonder how 1 got
hold of the inside facts in the case.
Well, that's matter of no concern as
long as l have given you the full par
ticulars. Perhaps the colonel trusted
me further than he did the others. AS
for little Mrs. Hope, it was want Of
money probably that induced her to
firm rObhpr bfIt / have olwnvs tripd IA