Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

on it. 1t wasn't any half hearted insist
ence, either; for in the words of Herbert Conway,
of the Yards chief operators, he smooth
so smooth that he made ice feel like sandpa per.
Leighton went everywhere. At those functions
where the highest in the social world met, there was
Leighton He every matrons selected list
of guests, a charming addition to any gathering.
Scotland Yard knew this. Of course, it may have
been only the merest chance that he was always
present at those functions where valuable jewels
had been lost" or "n1isaid.' Yet Scotland Yard
did not regard it chance That it did not, was
another compliment to Leighton.
From deep down in its innermost conscience,
Scotland Yard looked up to Leighton as the master
mind if not the actual vital instrument, in a long
series of battling jewel robberies. There was a
about these robberies that annoyed Scotland Yard.
Yet, believing all this, Scotland Yard had never
been ndiscreet to mention the matter to Leigh
ton. AS matter of fact, Scotland Yard had never
seen its way clear to mentioning it to anyone.
Conway, perhaps, more nearly expressed the opin-
ion of Scotland Yard in few brief remarks than
could at greater length. Hes crook, and the
cleverest in the world he said of Leighton, almost
enthusiastically. He got the Hemingway jewels.
the Chetenham bracelet, and the Duck sinners all
right. l know he got them. But that doesn't do
any good-merely knowing it. | can't put finger
on him. because he's too blooming smooth. | think
I've got him, and them haven't"
This was before the Varron necklace affair.
When that remarkable episode came to be known
to Scotland Yard, Conway's admiration for Leighton
increased UNNECESSARILY. He knew that Leighton
the responsible one-he knew it in his own head
mustache ercey and set to work to prove it, feeling
beforehand that it vain task
The absolute simplicity of the thing-and in this
it like the others-was its most puzzling feature.
Lady Varron had rendered reception to one of the
foreign Ambassadors at her London house. On this
occasion she the famous Varron necklace. Its
intrinsic value said to be forty thousand
pounds; associations made it priceless. She was
dancing with the visiting Ambassador, when she
slipped on the smooth floor and fell, dragging him
down with her. Leighton CHANGED to be one of
To n an
instant Lady Varron and the Ambassador the
center of little group twas Leighton who lifted
Lady Varron to her feet.
Its nothing she assured him. smiling uncer-
tainly. Il was a little awkward that's ALL"
Leighton turned to assist the Ambassador, but
found him standing again and putting W nordnately
your necklace" he remarked blandly.
Lady Varron's white hand flew to her bare
throat, and she paled little Leighton and
others of the group stood back to look for the
ornament. 1t was not to be seen.
Lady Varron controlled herself admirably ut
must have fallen somewhere" she said finally.
guest socitously.
oh, yes she replied positively; but 1 may
have dropped it somewhere else.
Il noticed it just before you've FELL said the
Ambassador. 1t must be here
But it wasn't. In that respect-that is, visible
non-existence-t resembled the Cheltenham brace
let. Leighton had that occasion, stroed out
on the lawn at night with the Hon Miss Chelten-
ham, and she had dropped the bracelet That was
all 1t was never found.
In this Varron affair it would be useless to go into
details of what Immediately followed the loss of the
necklace 1t is sufficient to say that it not
found; that men and women stared at each other
in bewildered embarrassment and mutual suspicion;
and that finally Leighton intimated courteously,
tactfuly that personal search of her guests would
not be arnss.
Leighton seconded heartily by the Anbassa-
dor, but the search not made and the reception
proceeded.
1t was not until next day that Scotland Yard was
notified of Lady Varrons loss
Leighton there?" Conway's first question.
YES"