The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-08
XNTHEN THE LIGHTS
Wv WENT OUT.


Tho two men looked inQ~uiringly at each
ether as they followed the smart groom
from the train to tho carriage. When they
we're speeding down the smooth road
to tho Mattinger villa, two miles away,
the younger man. dapper, sharp eyed,
with cOl0rless face, spoke
-As We are evidently to DO fellow guests,
he Aaid. permit me. 1 am Philip Bruno, a
business friend OF Hugh's. He has asked
nsdOwn for a few days.
Il cane claim tho honor Of personal
acquaintAnce with Mr.. MattinRer," re-
turned the other. a middle aged, somewhat
stolid appearing man. Il am Prof. William
Obnowi Of the Geologic Institute. Mr..
Mattinger sem n specimens OF a curious
clay deposit on his estates, and after some
correspondence asked me to make a report
to him regarding IT,"
THAT is Hugh all over" laughed the
other. He never has too many irons in
the fre; he always keeps each one Of them at
just tho proper heat.
One would think that with a great for
tune, an exacting business in these paTlous
times, n fine country seat. a handsome
young wife devoted to society. he would
have quito enough 10 do without trying to
tell whether some whitish stuff which looks
quite like ordinary mud when you happen
to step in IL has commercial value
Excuse me IL | speak as one in the outer
darkness. Al all events I am gla1 you
are come and feel sure you will nave n
charming time whether you work OF play.
The excitement must have abated.'
Excitement about the kROlinP l didn't
suppose any one would care more than you
do about it
why, bless yolr soul, my dear man; ;
haven't you heard! Don't you read the
aOniy the Old Red Sandstone Qucr'erlg.-
Then, proiess) IT. o have the dis;inc-
tion, I verify beneve, Of being the Only per-
son In this country who doesn't know about
the theft of the Mattinger ~LiaDOnCs." sli1
Bruno admiriagly. Mrs. Mattinger wore
them-yes, lust a week ago. at a lawn iete;
q psTure OF the pures;. whites stones, per
fectly matched. You can guess AZ their
value when l tell you they we're nslred in
the sum Of 100000 in the Adamant IN
surance Company.
well. after the afsir was over Mia.
Mattinger went to her dressing room. in
tending to fetch the Jewels to Hugh to lOck
IN the safe. re waited; s ie didn't come.
after a while he went after her to lind her
cloth over her face. and the diamonds mes
deeidedly non est
you don't tell mel" eIolaimei the pro-
lessor. Did they sIs0ec6 the %ssrvants?"
Not at all. The signs plainly showed
that a gang ~ expert thieves mus, have
come from the city on a motor boat. watched
on the veranda roof, attacked n stilled
Mrs. MattinGer from behind and made on
with their booty beyond hope OF recovery
before there was an alarm.
sOf course III police made a great biuf
ut activity--ali sound and fury. signIfyinR
nothing. The Les, proof of the hopeless
ness Of the case is that the Adamant people
nave paid up like little men. though Hugh
tried 10 disslade them. OF course the
advertisement Is worth more to them than
the Rmounb.'
Mercy" sighed the professor. SIP
pose poor Mrs Mattinger Is a physical and
mental wreck"
Never finer in her life %retortct Ny.
while the till holds OUT besides. she has
her diversions. rs any one nav So"
Even with the word the carriage drNw
up before the house. In the angie Of tho
Weranda a couple we're laughing Gnd talk
ing in the highest spirits. The Handsome
young woman gprang forward with hands
extended in welcome.
Hugh, my husband, was Just ca lied 10
the stewards Office by sorne Of his number
less cares she cried. He'll be back by
the time YOU come down. as delighted as
indeed we all are to see you.
james, q know about the roo rs?
And, gentlemen, just one moment, may |
present my husbands friend Capt. DeVol,
10 my husbands friends. Prof. Obaowl
and Mr.. Bruno?
"The northeast and southwest corner
suites, you know, James
The Captain thrust ont his shapely hand
without iO any wise impaiTing the set of
his shoulders and muttered some i1distin-
guishabls nothing behind the blond screen
Of his fsultless mustache. The guests.
under the servants guidance. proceeded
20 their respective rooms.
The professor laid out tho essentials
Of his simple toilet and then looked ph-
miringIy about the dressing room. Tn
washbowl WIS half filed with water and
in IL there fiOated two rosae.
One would scarcely expect a man Of mis-
absorbing eTudition to note 40 slight a
breach OF that immaculate order which is
the first law Of luxurious housekeeping.
One would expect less that he should take
out h flowers and observe how fresh
they we're M how carefully trimmed.
One would expect least OF all, from his
unromantic n heavy exterior, to near
him muse as he did:
The rOse is a symbol Of devotion aud
Of silence"