The San Francisco call., 1906-07-29

Bedford Gardens, a kind of a happy
family, as one might say. Mrs. AIRY
ford was the wilder of a West Indian
gent. and as rich as Solomon. She
brought those amber beads from ia
maiea. and Rosa was always wanting
them"
Why? The necklace was very un-
suitable to one of her condition"
" Twasn't exactly the cost of it as
she thought about" said Horval. nurs
ing his chin, but it seems that the
necklace is a fetish, or. charm, or
lucky-penny, as you might say, to
bring good fortune to the wearer.- Mrs.
Arryford was past wanting good luck,
so hadn't no need for the beads. Rosa
asked her for them, just for the good
luck OF them. as you might say. The
ola girl wouldn't part. as she was as
superstitious as Rosa herself over that
necklace; so in the end Rosa murdered
her to get it"
How do you know she did?" asked
Hagar. doubtfully.
How do l know?" echoed the de-
tective in surprise. Cause / amt
fool. miss. Last week Mrs Arryford
was found in her bed with carving
knife In her heart, as dead a door
nail, and the beads were missing. Miss
Lyle, she didn't know anything about
tx, and Rosa swore she hadn't left her
room, so. you see. we couldn't quite
hit on who finished off Mrs. Arryford.
But now as 1 know Rosa pawned these
beads I'm sure she did the job
Evidently. BY the way, who gets
the money OF Mrs Arryford?"
"A Frederick Jevons: he's a nephew
of Miss Lyles"
"A nephew of Miss. .Lyle'sr echoed
Hagar in surprise And why did Mrs.
Arryford leave her money to him in
stead OF to her relatives?"
al HI
Horval, rising. She hadn't got no
relatives and Mr.. Jevons was
good-looking young chap, always at
the house TO sec his aunt she took
fancy to him and left the money his
way"
you are sure that Miss Lyle is no
relation to Mrs. Arryford?"
Quite sure. She was only the old
girls companion"
Was Mrs. Arryford weak in the
head?"
Not as I ever heard Of" said Mr.
Horval. with stare. but you can find
out if you like from Miss Lyle"
Miss Lyle? How am I to see her?"
Why" said the detective. clapping
on his hat, when you come to see if
Rosa is the same niger as pawned
the amber beads. Just leave some one
10 look after the shop, miss, and come
with me right away
With true feminine curiosity, Hagar
agreed at once to accompany the de-
tective to Campden Hill. The shop
was delivered into the charge of
Bolker. a misshapen imp of Is, who for
some months had been a plague of
Hagar'S life. He had a long body and
/ long arms, short legs and a short tenn
/ per and also most malignant eye
which indicated only too truly his
spiteful nature. Having given a few
1 instructions to this charming lad,
Hagar departed with Horval in the
omnibus and arrived at Bedford Gar
dens early in the afternoon.
When Miss Lyle made her appear
ance Hagar, after the manner of
women took Immediate note of her
4 tall and lean and yellow. with cold
gray eyes, and a thin-lipped, hard
/ tempered mouth, turned down at the
curves.
rs this young person necessary to
your conduct of the case?" said Miss
Lyle. addressing herself to Horval, and
ignoring Hagar altogether.
why, yes. miss" replied Horval on
whom the antagonistic attitude of the
two women was not lost. ''She keeps
the pzwnshop at which Rosa pawned
the beadsT'
Miss Lyle gave start of virtuous
| horror, and her thin lips wreathed in a
my poor friend. then" she said. in a
soft and huty voice. II knew it,"
"She pawned the amber beads, Miss
Lyle. but"
Now don't say the wretch did not
! Kill my martyred friend snapped Miss
Lyle, going to the bell rope; but we'll
have her in and perhaps this young
person will recognize her as the viper
who pawned the beads
K ''It is to be hoped So" said Hagar,
very dryly. not approving of being
spoken at in the third person; but the
negress kept her face turned away, and
1 might not"
"It is your duty to recognize her."
exclaimed Miss Lyle, addressing herself
to the girl for once. It am convinced
that Rosa is dangerous criminal. Here
she is-the black Jezebelm
AS the last word fell from her mouth
the door opened and Rosa entered the
! room. whereat Hagar uttered an ex-
clamation of surprise. This negress
was rather short and more than a trifle
stout. 1t is true that she wore a
yellow dress trimmed With black Jet
beading. that silver ornaments were on
her neck and wrists. also that she was
without the wonderful hat. Still, Ha-
gar was surprised and explained her
ejaculation forthwith:
That is not the woman who pawned
the beadsp she declared, rising
Not the woman echoed Miss Lyle
virulently. 'She must be, This is
Rosaw
''Yis. Wis! I Rosa" said the negress,
beginning to weep; "but l no kill my
poo dear missy. Dat one big lie."
Are you sure, miss, that this is not
the woman" asked Horval, rather dis
mayed
Hagar stepped forward and looked
Shzrnlv af fba Sohhluo pauraea nm and
down. Then she glanced at the wom-
ans hands and shook her head.
Il am prepared to swear in a court
Of law that this is not the woman" she
said quietly.
Rubbish. rubbish cried Miss Lyle,
flushing. Rosa coveted the necklace
as Ii was connected with some debased
African superstition, and"
1T one ole fetishr interrupted Rosa,
her eyes sparkling with fire at the old