The San Francisco call., 1903-12-20

the list, she was the least known to
Croft, and he was, therefore. prepared
to watch her the closest. He had no
sooner got sight of her. however. than
he whispered to himself:
II am way off there. She's got the
innocence OF a baby, and 1t would be
time thrown away to watch her"
Lady Sparrow brought her diamonds
and she brought a new maid, and she
sustained her reputation for careless
ness. Sometimes Sir James coaxed her
into letting him lock up the Jewels for
the night, but they were Oftener left
to the care Of the maid OF TO no care at
all.
Bound to be picked up sooner or lat
er," unused Croft, "and I shall keep an
eye on the maid. She seems demure. but
1 believe she knows a thing or two
On the twelfth day of her stay Lady
Sparrow got out her diamonds at mid
afternoon and saw her maid brush
them up a bit. They were then left
lying In their box on the table while the
owner lay down for a nap before din
ner. When she awoke the box was
gone.
Queer case" said Croft to Sir James
three hours later. IT laid Ii to the maid
at first, but found that she can prove
a perfect alibi. She wasn't even in the
house at the time the box was taken
nor can find that any servant was
within fifty feet Of Lady Sparrow's
room. No one could have entered by
her windows, and Of course the thief
is inside the house. We are going to
have trouble to locate him or her, how
ever I've questioned every servant,
and / can't say that 1 suspect any OF
them"
But you can't suspect any OF the
guestsl" exclaimed Sir James In con-
sternation.
Not In the slightest. It's a rum 90,
and I've got my work cut out for me-"
Two days later he had still nothing to
report The servants had been ques-
toned and cross-questioned. and Wallets
and maids had been given the third
degree" and at length Croft was salts
fed Of the innocence Of all the under
lings
Then 1t was some slick thief who got
In despite your vigilance" reproach-
fully observed Sir James.
II should rather say Il was one OF
your twenty-five guests" doggedly re-
piled the agent.
But think OF II. man"
AYE, I'm thinking, Sir James"
who among them can you possibly
suspect? Why. sir, it's simply mon
strous. I'd sooner pay for the Jewels
twice over than to hint that one OF my
guests is under suspicion. No, no.
Croft. It's a queer case. and the thief
was too much for you. and I'll pay the
loss and hush up the talk"
But I want to remain here for a
week or ten days" said the agent. Il
confess to being puzzled now, but my
reputation Is at stake. and must try
and solve the mystery"
He was told to remain and DO his
best, and that night as he lay IN his
bed he whispered In his own ears:
It's dollars to cents that the jewels
were taken by guest. Now, who
would be the soonest suspected, and
who the last? Let's say that Lady Spar
row stole her own diamonds, she being
a seeker after notOriety. That charge
won't hold. however. as she turned
her whole baggage out for inspection
and her fainting away when she dis
covered her loss was the genuine thing.
Now, who is last2 Why, little Mrs
Blank, OF course. 4 III STAKE iii on nGA
Innocence, but I'm going to watch her
Her room is five doors away, and she
saws she was out on the lawn from four
TO five on the afternoon OF the robbery,
but LET US see what can be turned up"
Detective Croft did something in do
ing nothing He wouldn't tell Sir
James nor any Of the guests his
thoughts, and to have tried to watch
the little woman as she fitted about
would have been ridiculous. He there
fore passed most of his time in the con-
servatory wondering where he could
take hold of the case. On his first day
he saw little Mrs. Blank enter the place
twice and wander about and sing to
herself. On the second day she was IN
and out three times. On the third day
she slyly took from her pocket letter
which she read with considerable agi-
tation and, woman-like, dropped II on
the floor as she went out. She returned
for it IN FIVE minutes, but Croft had
possessed himself OF the contents
'WeI2" briskly demanded Sir James,
as the agent asked for an interview
that evening.
IT think I have found the Jewels"
was the reply.
You think: but don't you know7"
mot exactly. have saved the
pleasure for you. Let US go into the
conservatory and lock the door"
''Well?" again queried Sir James in