The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-05-23

10 report me servants nau- been ques-
Toned aud CROSS questioned and Wallets
and maids had been given the "third
degree and AZ length Croft was salts.
fed OF the innocence of all the under
llngs.
Then il was some slick thief who.
got In despite your vigilance re
proachfully observed Sir James.
Il should rather say 1t was one of
your twenty-five guests doggedly re.
piled the agent.
but think of 1t, man!p
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 queer case, and the thief
was too much for you, and III pay the
loss aud hush up the talk"
but ! want to remain here for
week or ten days" said the agent, Il
confess TO being puzzled now, but my
reputation Is ut stake. and must try
and solve the mystery
He was told 10 remain aud do his
best, and that night as he lay In his
bed be whispered In his own ears:
Its dollars to cents that the Jewels
were taken by guest. Now. who
would be the soonest suspected ANA
who the last? Let's say that Lady
Sparrow stole her own diamonds, she
being seeker after notorlety. That
charge won't hold. however, as she
turned her whole baggage out for ln-
spection and her fainting away when
she discovered her loss was the. GEM.
inc thing. Now. who is last? Why. III.
tie Mrs. Blank, of course. I'll stake all
on her innocence. but I'm going to
watch her. Her room is five doors
away. and she says she was out on the
lawn from to 5 on the afternoon of
the robbery. but let us see what can be
turned hp."
Detective Croft did something in do.
Ing nothing. He wouldn't tell Sir
James or any of the guests his
thoughts. and TO have tried to watch
the little woman as she Gitted about
would have been ridiculous. He there.
fore passed most of his time in the
conservatory wondering where he
could take hold of the case. On his
first day he saw little Mrs. Blank en-.
ter 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 he's
pocket a letter which she read with
considerable agitation and womnn-
like, dropped 1t on the aoor as she
went out. She returned for it In 1--WE
minutes. but Croft had possessed him.
self of the contents.
"Well?" briskly demanded Sir james
rs the agent asked for an interview
that evening.
Il think | have found the jewels,
was the reply.
You think, but don't you know"
"Not exactly. have saved the
pleasure for you. Let us 90 into the
conservatory and lock the door"
"Wellf" again queried Sir James In
impatient tones.
You have several artificial plants In
tubs your honor, and this one in par
ticular is so light that even a woman
could lift it. win you please have It
outg"
Sir James looked at the agent in
puzzled way, but seized the plant and
lifted 1t from the tub and then held M
his hands in amazement At the bot
tom Of the tub was the missing jewel
box with contents intact.
"You see" said Croft. Sin three Of
four days more the box would have
gone home with one OF your guests"
Croft" said Sir James as he laId
his hand on the mans shoulder, 'you
must know the thiefT
Il do, Sir James,
But don't tell me his name. IL
send him of with ESQ in his pockel
and not even read him . moral lee
tnre."
Right you are. Sir James" replied
Croft us the ghost OF smile stole over
his face, and he winked AT himself.