Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09

SUPPOSE we take up the case of Morson-
~ Brown. Viewing him in the most partial
light. he claimed the property to be his own
and had every moral right to regain possession
provided he spoke the truth. He had told
Miss Girard that he did not know where the
gems were hidden. but expected to find out
before the end of the voyage. On the night OF
the robbery he had watched on deck in close
proximity to the main saloon. Polly Thurman
after holding previous clandestine meeting
with him, had crept from her state room and
handed him package which was about two
and half inches long and seeming hard to the
touch. This would point conclusively to
door KEY. Morson-Brown was tall and slender
Having dressing gown of his own. he might
borrow one without its owners knowledge.
and the rest was easy. He had practically ad-
mitted entering the main saloon. AS tor
knowing the sa e's combination. that of course,
is subject to discussion; but If he had opened
the safe in someway and recovered his property
it might certainly account for his non-resist-
ance at being held helpless prisoner. More
over. at the discovery of dried beans in sub
stitution of the gems he had laughed Now
if the property was really his and some I'M
known person had it, it would be no laughing
matter. If he had it himself, and retained II
in spite of such careful search, then the matter
might be viewed by him as humorously delight
full. Certainly this train of reasoning could
convict Morson- Brown and nail him with the
charge of petty larceny in self defense.
Then there was Aunt Mary She had dis
covered the absence of the door kew and at once
went to interview Polly, whom she found APP
parently asleep. She had put that young
woman through quasi-maternal third degree
had wept on her dimpled breast, then returned
struck retrospection and open mutiny. Aunt
Mary was tall and slender She possessed
dressing gown. She might also possess
knowledge of the safes combination. These
facts would point to several possibilities. She
had robbed the safe herself in the interests of
the gentlemanlv Southerner, or because of
Pollys sentimental wish to aid him, or else the
three of them were in collision. Take your
choice.
Next, if motive of revenge would be pre-
ferred there was Beasley. He hated his con-
queror, and longed to deprive him of health
wealth, and happiness; but, so tar as we know.
he was ignorant of the very existence of the
gems up to the moment of the discovery of the
dried beans. The second mate, Lavine might
also be exonerated on the plea of ignorance,
condition strengthened by the absence OF
motive: and this happy state of impeccabiity
was likewise enjoyed by the Ministerial Miggs
whose only desire for wealth arose from his
soulful wish to ire a undred stooards an
watch 'em bust their bleedin' carts by car
ryin' of red OF plates, b'Gawd.'
THUS BeaSley, Lavine. and M1ggS were
L merely possibilities; while Valda Girard
herself is far more worthy applicant tor the
honor of your attention. She had easy access
to the safe, and knew the combination. She
had not only locked up the gems With neI own
hands; but it will also be remembered. she
had seriously contemplated removing them to
another place of safety, with aim of fore
stalling Morson-Browns attempt to regain
them. or to block similar design on the part
of Ormond and Tracy should these men assume
taking ways" and endeavor to escape IN a
small boat when Sandy Hook was neared.
What was more simple than for Valda to get
up in the middle of the night slip on dressing
gown, creep noiseessly into the main saloon
open the safe. then transfer the fateful gems
to some other depository? Her mysterious
caution would be but a safeguard against
possible watchfulness the part of the three
men involved. Truly, this might seem sound
reasoning. except for that ridiculous substitu-
ton of dried beans. Again. if she really did
take the gems. why did she not say so and be
done with it, 1t strange.-femininely
strange-and in consequence gives rise to
another theory.
Valda's heart. like the point of Beasley's
jaw, had received grapevine: She ac-
knowledged it, but depfored it. Thus. loving
without hope was it not highly probable that
she believed at least part of Morson-Brown's
story even though she knew the rest to be a
glittering string of lies? Might she not have
decided to thrust this beautiful devil from her
heart forever? We are led to suspect it strongly:
This being the case. she would find sort OF
mournful consolation in saying to him at the