Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-10-04

ST don't like this at ALL" she said,
biting her lip. 81 don't know whether
TO regard 1t as joke or not"
cit Is not a joke" Mr.. Jaimson re-
piled seriously. ~ fear it is far from
Ct"
"why not tell me all, then? 1 don't
like mysteries"
"It is for him to tell YOU" he an
swered, pointing toward me.
Knowing that he took me for a de-
tective, 1 answered evasively:
well soon be there. Miss Stetson,
and then you will know ALL"
led them q brisk walk down the
old highway until we reached the
When turned TO go up to the house.
Mr. Jaimson started and exclaimed:
us Il DIR. SqulresY'
l nodded affirmatively and increased
any pace.
"Of course this is where DR.. Squires
lives. but what of thatT' inquired Miss
Stetson, looking from one to the other.
Neither OF us made reply, but trudged
on In gloomy silence.
Without any formality or explana-
ton produced the key and opened
the front door of the old house. l
stepped inside and lighted the hall
lamp. Then as they followed me 1
closed the door
"Dr. Squires is not at home tonight"
said Miss Stetson, "and I do not see
why we should enter his house in this
way. Where did you get the key and
\ where is his old servant?"
"One thing at time, Miss Stetson,'
replied. II will explain everything
in a few moments. Please be seated
! In the hall until light more lamps"
1 left them in the hallway while ]
bounded up the stairs to see If the old
\ servant was all right. unlocked the
/ room and glanced in. He was propped
up In the same attitude on the bed,
1 and his bandages were secure.
i closed and locked the door and
/ turned then to the treasure room. !
put two or three extra lights in this
place, placing them so that the rays
would glisten on the silverware and
| jewels. drew of all the coverings of
the stolen goods and even arranged
many of them so they would show of
4 to the best advantage. With the lights
4 shining down upon them they made q
/ feast for the eyes that was dazzling.
| 1t was spectacular effect that graft.
fed my little vanity.
returned to the hall, where I had
< left my two companions, and said:
\ "If you will accompany me upstairs,
I will make all this mystery plain"
r They both eagerly followed me, even
| Miss Stetson showing more than her
( ordinary curiosity. She preceded. Mr..
I Jaimson, and as she reached the door
{ Of the room threw it open and said:
Z Behold, Miss Stetson, DR.. Squires
[ secretl Here is the mystery which he
has safely guarded from you and all
4 the people around here"
L She stepped into the room, shaded
her eyes with one hand and then step.
I ped back with a little cry Of amaze,
ment.
i "What does this all meanR What
I beautiful things2 Where did they
come fromr'
Examine some Of them, Miss Stet.
I son." I said. "Look at this handsome
silver teapot and water pitcher"
+ She stepped forward and took them
out Of my hand and then nearly drop
ped them in her agitation.
Z why, they are mineI They I1avS
my mothers initials on. They are the
ones stolen from my house,
Eyes, they belong, to you, and If you
{ will look around you will see plenty OF
Others that you may recognize-not
only those which belonged to you, but
/ to your neighbors."
She picked UP one after another
handling them with such eagerness
that she nearly dropped them. Then
she turned helpless toward me and
Mr.. Jaimson.
What does It mean, MIR. JaimsonP
she asked In trembling voice.
That we have at last run the robbers
to EARTH" he replied steYnly.
/ "Who are theyT" she gasped while
her face turned white and red. 'eNot-
Il surely nof-nr -