The sun., 1908-07-05

When the Lights Went Out.

House after the reception like not un'
common mental prooess-frst the burst oi
ismotion. and then tho prudent little after
thought.
The widow threw wraps and gloves and
other iorid appurtenanceg OF fashion on the
chair next to her. while Leila. ever evasive
slipped into q chair In the roar row.
"It's o'olock Leila, yawned Mrs. Runci-
man. He will be here presently II he's
got 70 come. I'm too dead tired to go up
stairs TO come down again. All. Mr.. Snifen,
you seem interested?'
Always interested In you, my dear
madam replied. particularly interested
at this instant IN that exquisite little box
you threw down 30 carelessly."
MY vanity box7" the widow went on.
diving her plump arm under the feather
cloak. "Isnt IL a dear1 The top measures
not more than three inches each way; and
vet II is studded with 500 diamonds-think
Of Il. Come closer. man. let me whisper.
It cost $1,000 spot cash. Must have the
best, you know
vanity box repeated. 4 hope It
may never contain any vexation OF spirit
for you"
.Hsavensl hope not she cried. tossing
back the bauble to it's fluffy bed. 'I've
had my share Of that commodity. as you
very we'll know. Mr.. Sniffen.
Titus wasn't any angel on earth, what
ever he may have since become. And
Leila. for all she is 20 demure. she is a con-
slant care TO me.
.You never know where she is or where
she isn't; what she 10 going to do and what
che isn't going to do. 1t 8 worse than q
mouse in the room. Yes, child. zee Mr..
Knevals coming very well indeed, and he
sees u.s."
walked back 10 my seat in the corner.
which had the advan tage OF being both
Obscure and adjacent. and watched the re-
ception Of that manly young chap Pierre
Kncvais. He took the chair just beyond
the one containing the wraps; swinging il
around 80 as to face the ladies.
Tho talk, whatever it's nature, was ami
mated; Mrs Runciman doing the most Of
it with much flashing OF her jeweled hands
Leila sat back in her shadowy way. I'm
sure she didn't speak, though once and
again she smiled the vaguest reflection Of
a smile.
The talk also was brief. Knevals sprang
up so abruptly as to tilt the chair in front
OF him and turn out the contents on the
floor. Those he snatched up in huddle
and dumped back. Then he bowed stifiy
twice and strobe away. II ever a young
man was angry all over should say Kne-
walls felt like him.
Leila slipped around in front and ad-
justed the rumpled wraps in her orderly
way. Then she took the chair where Knevals
had sat and piped some birdlike inquiry
which set the widows great head bobbing
like an inverted pendulum from the vigor
light.
aShe doesn't intend to let go, does she''
remarked Billikins. the clerk.
don't know who she is or what she's
got hold Of protested.
That's like you, Snifen. you snooping
old mole he retorted with threatening
penholder. "You want people to think you
as blind as you are keen. or course you
know that the widow sent young Knevals
on with flea In his ear; just as you know
that she has no intention OF giving up the
full swing Of the late Titus's estate and
putting up with a pittance, as she must
whenever Leila marries. Yes, ladies, COM
ing, coming. Pray don't bring out the
fire department"
He handspring over the counter and
sprinted across with me at his heels for
indeed one might well think from the
widows screams that the house was afre.
Even Leila was wringing her hands and
not as they were spirit hands either.
No need Of questions-the floor, strewn
with the contents Of the chair, with one
glittering exception, spoke for itself as vo-
ciferously. as Mrs. Runciman was speaking
for herself.
"My vanity box. my vanity box she
hSPs Ss dsonds OF s Sens &c. z Poos poS hye
arrest that wretch at oncel"
Hush, mother. think Of the people who
may hear you.' implored Leila.
Il don't care who hears me. or course
that Knevals stole it. Mr.. Billikins, you
a G<~ >txi< ~
The telephone booth 10 at your service
Rillikins replied with his usual courtesy.
I'm sure Miss Prall viii be glad to connect
you with Headquarters. i can't say what
didn't see-by golly, what a consummate
E he dashed across @ aga again i even n more swiftly
with O. flying leap over the rail as he rea-
lized that he had left the door Of the great
steel safe atar.
A moment Later. white faced and trembling.
he was telephoning Headquarters for their
best man. A package Of bills was missing.
equal In value to the profits Of the Tawdrey
House for year.
III.
Billikins made a virtue out Of a necessity
by confding the theft to me. but no one else
suspected It. We had an anxious word or
two with the very sensible and quiet ser
geant Of police who responded to the call.
Il was q matter for secret investigation,
that official decided, and this was his judg-
mont OF the other case too after we had
gone upstairs and heard all the widow had
to say.
The widows all amounted to little when
the anger and spite was separated from 1t.
OF course young Knevals might have taken
the vanity box. but 80 might score Of hotel
guests. including myself who had been
within reach Of it, His reputation like
mine and theirs. forbade open accusation
without at least show Of proof.
couldn't help but notice the clearing
effects Of a storm in Mrs. Runciman's case.
After she had said her say she was far less
uncompromising. Indeed, before we left
she quite agreed to the sergeant's policy
OF silence, secrecy and search.
Il hope to be able to make a successful
report to you In q week, madam he said.
Meanwhile, mum is the word"
"What am going TO do is this the ser
geant went on when we were again in the
private Office. Il shall send one Of our best
social agents here in the guise Of guest,
q gallant young fellow. you know, with
,xl.~kxV - Syv,.a .,l x,arov 90 c<xn. IL