The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-02-21


| in the day. Does it not seem possible that
| this was a feature Of a clever plot and
| that while Michael engaged my attention
upon one side a confederate came to the
opposite window of the carriage. reached
in. unlocked the box with a duplicate key,
locked it again and faded away into the
turmoil of the city?
1t is true that when had concluded my
interview with Michael happened to look
out of the other window and saw a big
blue policeman standing on the edge OF
the sidewalk across the way. l distinctly
remember him, and it seems strange that
he should have been unable to see this
crime, committed under his very nose.
Yet policemen are falling more and more
into the grip of evil ways. Perhaps this
one is even now dividing my pearls with
Michael and his two accomplices. 1 say
two" for 1 feel sure that my coachman
was in the plot and that the third thief
was also one of my servants.
You will remember that ] have very
often used this green plush Jewel case
in CARRYING Jewels back and forth between
my house and the establishment of Mr..
Henry Royersi your esteemed uncle.
have left the case empty in my carriage
dozens of times, and this must have been
remarked by my servants. To procure a
duplicate key-or perhaps another case
precisely similar. to be used in rapid
and dexterous exchange-would have been
perfectly easy. Still, of course, there s
the policeman. But I must stick to my
theory. 1t is not possible for npe to enter
tain any other.
You know how dear this bauble was to
me. 1 look to you for help in recovering
it, and I have mentioned my loss to no
one else. Please communicate with me as
soon as you have come to a decision. Sin
0010'' 1yr11 TINA IIAsRROTrCK
She dispatched this by one of her
dependents, a bright eyed youth of
dWarfsh stature, but Of an excellent
habit Of reticence, and then she waited
in many kinds Of misery for ROversis
reply.
An hour passed. She sent again for
the dwarf. He had returned from his
errand and had gone out again upon
another. She regretted the caution
which had forbidden her to tell him
to report to her Immediately, but she
had not wished to make him think too
seriously Of his mission. Another hour
dragged away. Mrs. Hasbrouck could
stand suspense no longer. She called
Roversi's by telephone and learned that
Paul had gone out, no one knew when
or why.
81 would ike to speak with Mr.. Hen
~ Roversi," she said upon a sudden
resolve.
Only an exact quotation, not possible
to the present chronicler, could prop
erly reveal the sympathy which Mr..
Roversi felt and expressed when he
learned Of Mrs. Hasbrouck's loss.
''Have you any suspicionsT' he asked
at last
''None whatever" she replied.
Mr.. Roversi admitted that the case
was mysterious and deeply distressing,
and he begged that it might be laid be-
fore Mr.. Newell, the astute detective
who guarded the vast treasures Of the
store. Mr.. Newell listened without
comment to Mrs. Hasbrouck's clear and
concise statement OF the facts His
questions, though their purpOrt was
skillfully yelled, were directed, as the
lady easily perceived, toward the eluci-
datiOn of a single element Of the case
namely, when and under what circum-
stances was Mrs. Hasbrouck's note de-
livered to Mr.. Paul Roversi. To this
end Mr.. Newell obtained a description
Of the messenger, and with that he
seemed to be content.
you will hear from me within a
couple of hours" said he in conclusion, !
''and hope for the best results"
The allotted time had almost expired !
and Mrs. Hasbrouck was upon the |
verge Of some direfully catastrophe ex- |
plosion Of the feelings when the card |
Of Mr.. Paul Roversi was put into her |
hands, and presently the young man
a tragic figure, pale as paper.
He paused at three yards distance and
looked into her eyes, and slowly Won
drous and beautiful change came over
him.
Il knew it wasn't true" he said sim
ply as a child and with a sob Of ex-
quisite relief.
''TrueP' she echoed.
"My uncle said that you suspected
me-" he answered firmly. 81 think his
own mind was not clear Of that injus-
tice. He has his excuses; he knows
that 1 have money difficulties. But
you
Wrath blazed in Helena Hasbrouck
with consuming heat-the unreasona-
bic, pathetically comic wrath of wom-
an; anger against that relentless, mali
cious demon, the Truth, a creature sent
into this world to torture US.
"He dared say thatw she cried. 81
will make him smart for It. And you
you believed him. though you have
heard me give you very heartily the
name Of friend"
81 knew it wasn't true" he repeated,
less false than herself, yet
with an honest striving for the facts.
1T was the idea, the mere thought OF
It, that tortured me. It was like an evil
dream that haunts one after waking.
And yet" he continued, al could have
you. could not have blamed
you. What other explanation was pos
sible or Is possible at this instant?
Such sleight Of hand as a child Is capa-
BILE of would have sufRced do it there