The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-15

! Cecil placed the morocco box on the
table and lifted the lid. In the lamp
light glory streamed from the twenty
four gems Even the two women. well
accustomed to the sight. could not re
strain little cry Of delighted surprise
Newall drew a long breath and gazed
steadfastly at the glitter before him.
The stones. but slightly set and con-
nected. flashed circle of sunbeams-
"A kings ransom!' ne said, and turn
ed away as if to shut out the too fas-
cinating sight. They amused themselves
with the necklace for some time and
then closed tile box. u was left on the
table. Shortly afterward the ladies re-
tired to bed. and Newan went up to the
smolying-room with Dreuxheld- Hardly
were they outside the drawing room
door when Cecil uttered an ejaculation
of annoyance.
What a fool I am" said he. Il quite
forgot the necklace. You know where
the smoking room is. NewaH Just go
to it while 7 replace the diamonds in
the strong room.
Newan assented and moved away.
while Dreuxheld went back for the
necklace. The box was still on the
table. and a glance INSIDE assured him
that the jewels were safe. Blaming HIM
self for his inconceivable rashness in
leaving the treasure even for moment,
he went TO the strong room. 1t was on
the ground floor. and approached by a
lcng and somewhat eark passage. With
the case under. his arm Dreuxfield
fumbled at the lock Of the door. when
suddenly an arm was thrown round his
neck, choking the cry on his lips. a
cloth saturated with chloroform was
clapped over his mouth, and he heard
the morocco box clatter to the floor as
he lost his senses.
Mrs. Dreux6eld in her dressing room
chartered with Kate about the curate.
and playfuIly bantered her on her
chances Of becoming a cle-gyman's wife
Then Kate retired. and Mrs. Dreuxheld
i prepared for bed. Somewhat astonished
at the unusual absence of her husband,
she was about to seek the smoking room
and reprove him when she heard loud
cry. In a few minutes she was down
stairs, and found Newan in the hall
bending over the unconscious body OF
Cecil
What is the matterG' she cried,
alarmed by this spectacle.
4 don't know" gasped Newall, with
a remarkably pale face; he left me to
put away the Jewels. waited his re-
turn in the smoking room. He did not
appear. and went in search of him
He was lying unconscious by the strong
room door"
, BY the time this GREATNESS exclama.
ton came to an end. the whole house
hold thronged the hall. Last OF all the
major. followed by his valet Jenkins
stumped down the stairs. loudly excus.
ing himself for so late an arrival
Jenkins took my ivory leg to mis-
room to clean" he explained Il cam,
down the instant it was strapped on
Now what Is all this?''
Explanations were made. a doctor ap-
peared on the scene. and Cecil sat VI
confusedly to give his. version of tho
episode.
"Chloroformr' exclaimed the doctor.
The diamonda." said DreuxheId q
have been srobbed."
This explanation did not mend mat
ters- The moment before they had
been concerned for the safety Of their
master; now each and al wondered
what was the penalty for robbery. Pale
servants looked askance at one another
and the female domesucs shrieked chem
selves into Mysteries. Kate kept her
head and bore Mrs. DreuxfeId to h.er
room, leaving the men TO deal with
the matter. Unfortunately. at so late
an hour. little could be done, 50 there
was nothing left for it but to wait til
dawn opened the telegraph office
Newall. finding himself useless In ad.
vising and doing. went home in com
pany with the doctor. Cecil and IL,
major retired to bed. but not to sleep
Few eyes were closed at Dreuxfield Hal
that night, and the air was char
with terror and suspicion. The diamond
necklace was gone. but no one. least o.
all it's owner. knew who had thieved +
so dexterousiy.
II The next morning Dreuxfeld wired FOL
detectives and called In the Iocaf police
(who tell the story was deputed Il
look after the case. and on arriving a
Malvern l was put in possession OF tn,
! facts. From such statements / coulc
not guess who was the thief, and pro
ceeded to examine the servants. The
result was unsatisfactory. and tackled
the gentry. Dreuxheld. his wife. an,
sister could tell me nothing. and alto
E gether the loss Of that necklace WIS a
deep a mystery as ever 1 had TO do
with.
e 1t rather added 70 my perplexitl
] when / found that Major Onslow anC
his valet had that morning gone Il
London. He had explained that he knew
map who would elucidate any mys
terry better than a professional detec