The San Francisco call., 1906-07-29

~ entlne Dante, HaRar IoSt heI
n high spirits. She had sent @ Eas-
tace away to make his fortune
and to discover il possible the
lost heir OF Jacob Dix. BY this act Of
self-denial, as It really was, she had
deprived herself Of all pleasure; she
had robbed herse' of what might have
been a bright future; consequently she
was less cheerful than OF yore. Never
theless she felt convinced that Lorn
loved hci and that he would earn her
gratitude-possibly her handy re
turning with Goliath at his heels. When
that event took place she would re-
cover at once her spirits and her lover;
but at present the business OF the pawn
shop took up her undivided attention
and forced her To put away sad
thoughts and melancholy considcra-
tions. Also. Providence provided dis
traction for her dismal humors by
sending her a negrcss to pawn neck
lace OF amber beads. Although Hagar
did not know IL at the time. this was
the beginning OF a second and rather
more serious adventure.
Il was drawing TO night one August
evening when the woman made her
q
shop was darker than usual. Still ii
was sufficiently light for Hagar TO see
that her customer was a tall and bulky
negress, arrayed in a gaudy yellow
dress. neutralized by trimmings OF
black jet beading. AS the evening was
hot and close she wore neither cloak
nor jacket but displayed her somewhat
shapeless figure to the full in this de-
cidedly startling costume. Her hat was
,.F nd vol
loW-and she wore large silver
brooch like a shield. sn extensive neck
lace 0f silver coins 5nd many bangles
OF the same metal on her black wrists.
As contrast to these splendors she
wore no gloves. nor did she hide ner
cosl black face with a veil Altogether
This odd customer was the blaclest and
most fantsstically dressed negress that
Hagar had ever seen. and in the dim
light she looked a striking but rather
alarming figure.
On Hagar coming to the counter this
black woman produced out Of silver
clasped sealskin saIchel a necklace,
which she handed silently to Hagar
for inspection. AS the light was too
imperfect to admit of a close exam
ination HaKar lighted the gas. but
when il famed up the negress. as
though unwilling TO be seen too clear
y in the searching glare, stepped back
hastily into the darkness. Hagar put
this retrograde movement down 70 the
natural timidity OF a person unaccus-
toned to pawning. and took but little
notice Of IL at the time. Afterward
She had cause 10 remember il.
The necklace was a string of mag
nifcent amber heads threaded on a
slender chain Of gold. Each bead was
as large as the egg of a sparrow, and
round the middle OF every single one
there was a narrow belt Of tiny dia-
nonds.
"Pu give f5 on IT," said she, return
ing 70 the counter.
Rather 10 her surprise the negress
accepted with a sharp nod. and then
took out OF her bag scrap OF paper.
On this was written lsboriously, Rosa,
MaryIebone road" The name and ad-
dress were so imperfect that Hagar
hesitated before making out the pawn
ticket
Cant you speak?" she demanded
tartly. Are you dumb?"
At once the negress nodded, and laid
a finger on her lips. Hagar drew back.
,rhis woman was black, she was dumb,
she gave half a name, half an ad-
dress, and she wished to pawn a valu-
able and unique piece of jewelry- The
whole affair was queer, and, as Hagar
considered. might be rather dangerous.
Perhaps this silent negress was dispos-
ing Of stolen goods, as the necklace
seemed too fine for her to possess. For
the moment Hagar was inclined to re-
fuse to do business; but a glance at
the amber beads decided her to make
the bargain.
'Tn take the number OF this note,
she thought, going TO the desk; If
this negress can't be traced by name
or address, the bank note number viii
find her il IL is necessary"
Deeming this precaution Judicious,
Eagar hastily scr1bbled down the
number OF the flye-pound note, and.
returning to the counter, gave ii and
the ticket TO her queer customer. The
negress- stretched out her right hand
for them; and then Hagar made a
discovery which she noted mentally as
a mark of Identification IL necessary,
Six days later Hagar received a
printed notice from New Scotland
Yard. notifying all pawnbroker:
that the police were in search OF a
necklace OF amber beads set with dia-
monds, and clasped with a ncgro's face
wrought in gold. Notice Of its where
labouts was 10 be sent TO the detective
department without delay. Remember
ing her suspicious, and recalling the
persistent way in which the negress
had averted her face. Hagar was not
much surprised by this communica-
ton. Curious to know the truth. and
no learn what crime might be attached
TO the necklace. she wrote at once
about the matter. Within four hours
a stranger presented himself TO see the
amber beads, and to question her con-
cerning the woman who had pawnee
the same. He was fat little man
with a healthy red face and shrewd
.twinkling eyes. Introducing himself
as Luke Herval OF the detective SER
vice, he asked Hagar to relate the
circumstances OF the pawning This
the girl did frankly enough, but with
out communicating her own suspicious
At the conclusion OF the narrative she
displayed the amber beads. which were
carefully examined by Mr.. Horval
Then he slapped his knee. and whistlec
sn a thoughtful sort of way.
Il guessed as much" said he. staring
hard at Eagar The negress did it,"
Did What?" asked the girl, curl
ousiy
why" said Horval murdered the
old woman"
Murderi The word had a grewsomt
and cruel sound, which caused Hagar's
cheek to pale when 1t rang in her ears
She had connected the amber beads
with robbery, but scarcely with the
taking OF life.
IT'S just this way. miss" explained
she detective, easily. This Rosa il