The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-11-22
Lady Ch0tStOne'S Pearls
Story of Detective Who Never
Formed Theories.
,-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o.o-o.o.o.o.

ed the eminent detective, Reginald Nor
timer, Lies in the fact that | never per-
NIT myself to form theories In this
manner keep myself free from the traps
and pitfalls into which a preconceived
theory will at times lead you"
A maid entered and handed Mortimer
telegram which had just been deliver
ed. Tearing open the envelope he rapid
ly glanced at the message and, with
smile, passed it across to ne
took it from him and read:
Lady Chetstone's pearls stolen. Come down at
once and investigate. CHErsToNr.
Shortly after 10 o'clock on the follow
ing morning Mortimer and | stood upou
Hungcrford platform, where we found a
carriage waiting to convey us to Love
dale Manor.
a drive of couple of miles brought
US to Loyedale Manor, fine old English
residence beautifully situated in a wood
ed valley. At the door we were met by
Sir Claude Chetstone himself who re-
ceived US in a very hospitabIe manner.
Nor would he speak of the matter on
which we had come until we had par
taken of the refreshments ordered for us.
There is really very little to tell" he
remarked My wife and were ut the
county ball on the night Of the robbery
and returned home about O'Clock Pro
ceeding to her dressing room, Lady Chet-
stone removed her necklace and placed it
upon the table, intending to lock it in her
jewel case. This, however, she omitted
to do, and she quilted the room, leaving
the necklace lying upon the table In
the morning it had disappeared. There
is absolutely no clew as to what has be-
come Of it,
rs it possible for any one to enter the
room during the night without passing
through Lady Chetstone's bedroom 2" he
inquired
1T is quite possible" returned Sir
Claude. There are two doors. one open
ing into the bedroom, another into the
corridor
"Ah, indeed. Were any of the servants
likely to be about after you came home?"
50 far as | am aware they had all
gone to bed. with the exception of the
butler, who let us in. and Mile. Valerie.
the French eoverness. do not know
why she was up so late. but / recollect
that as l passed the drawing room
heard her singing"
floor of the house. The table, which was
placed close to the window, was Uttered
with the usual array of chnaware with
which ladies' love to surround themselves.
Near the edge lay half burned match.
which had evidently been careIessly
thrown down by some person after light
lng the gas. This match Mortimer at
once picked up and examined carefully.
V Al, -.
oughly, using his pocket microscope to
peer at things which appeared to me to
nave no connection with the matter in
hand. In particular he spent quite a
time examining a large wardrobe which
stood near the door-a curious. old fash
loned thing with lot of polished brass
work about it.
Il presume nothing has been disturbed
since the robbery was discovered?"
Nothing has been altered No one
mas been allowed to enter the room since
we discovered the robbery. | thought it
beiter to leave everything as it was until
you had seen it."
That was right. And now. with your
permission, | should like to examine the
servants"
One by one the servants came up to the
room IN varying stages of Indignation and
lear. Mortimer keenly cross questioned
each' asking number of questions which
seemed to me to be totally irrelevant, but
10 winch he appeared to attach consid-
cradle Importance. Among the last to
appear was the maid who had charge of
the dressing room.
1T is your duty to keep this room in
order, | underestimate" said the detective
alter number of questions similar to
those he had already put to the other
servants.
es. sir. it is" replied the girl.
can you tell me when you were last
III IL on the night of the robbery?'
About II o'clock. SIR
"Ah, indeed! And. pray. why were you
mere so late? | understand that in the
ordinary course you would have no occa-
sion to be here after TO-"
wei, you see, sir. knew her lady
snip wouldn't be back till the morning.
ana as had to go down to the village |
put OIL dong the room till got back"
understand. ] think that will do.
Dy the bye, do you remember doing any
thing to this wardrobeT'
Yes. sir Her ladyship is very partic-
uiar to have it kept clean and bright. ana
l +, fv..NANu ~ very carefully. III was the
Mast thing did before leaving the room
Oh Ml'e. Valerie was the next to enter tie
lsfoom. She entered in somewhat
naughty and defiant manner and glanced
at US in an indignant fashion.
lou are aware of the unpleasant oc.
ecurrence which has happened" BEGAN
Mortimer in his suavest tones. Il should
De pleased to hear how you spent the
night on which the robbery was COM
mltted-merely as matter of form, Of
course" he added as mademoiselles eyes
flashed angrily.
Monsieur, would you insult me by sus-
pecting me Of robbing my benefactress?"
There is no question of suspecting any
one at present. replied the detective.
IT is essential, however, that should
know the movements OF every one in the
mouse. understand you were in tho
drawing room when her ladyship return
ed. When did you 90 to your own room -
II did not look 1t the time. but il
should be about O'clock
10 reach your room you have to pass
along this corridor. Did you notice II the
door Of this room wos open Or shut I"
90 not know but H Il had been open