Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

turned to her room. She went in and
closed the door. The next moment every
one in the vicinity was startled by
series of piercing screams. Several ladies
rushed to the room OF the hostess. She
explained the cause Of her agitation in
a few disjointed sentences:
The Hart gems were gone!
1t would be difficult to depict the ex
citement of the next few minutes Sir
William was one of the first to reach
his wife's room, and with masculine de-
cision he soon restored quiet. Whatever
the fate of the gems, it must not disturb
the harmony of the occasion. Lady Hart
recovered her self-possession quickly, and
heartily regretted having caused any agi-
tation among her guests. The ball would
have to proceed as though nothing had
opening waltz began, and after that Sir
William quietly left his guests and got
into telephone communication with the
London police authorities.
~
AS the result of that, John Sweeney,
Neutrality-suspicious. of Scotland yard, APP
peared on the scene.
Sir William Joined him in the library,
and the two men went over all of the
facts in the case. The first order of the
detective was that no one should leave
the house that night-it was then about
10 o'clock-without the permission of the
host. Sir William was inclined to demur
at this suggestion. He seemed to think
that it might reflect upon his hospitality.
He was finally persuaded that 1t was
necessary, and two servants were dis
patched to give the gatekeepers the Or
derS.
Detective Sweeney then inquired about
Lady Harris maid. She seemed a nat
ural object of suspicion. But 1t soon ap-
peared that the young woman had COM
plete aEbf 1t was proven that she had
gone to her room Immediately after being
dismissed by her mistress, and, being
very tired, had thrown herself on her
couch and had slept soundly amid all the
excitement over the stolen jewels Sir
William was asked to tell the detective
all he know abou the personality of his
guests. He did so. protesting all the
while. His biographical sketches, for
the most part. were very f1attering. There
was one inpecunious earl in the party, it
is true, who was VIGOROUSLY pressed for
money. 1t was even limited that he had
once been detected in ungentlemanly
practices at cards. But when the detect
i've pressed the clew a little too hard,
Sir William shut up like a clam, saying
that of all things in the world there was
nothing for which he had greater re-
spect than genteel poverty.
Finally the servants were brought in
and cross-questioned. They exhibited all
sorts of queer mental traits from gross
stupidity to imbecile indignation. The
only testimony that had the slightest
value was given by pert maid who said
John Martin had been seen in the cor
rider leading to Lady Harris room about
the time of the robbery.
*
who is John Martini" quickly queried
the detective.
He Is the valet and attendant of Sir
Archibald Hunter" replied the host
He must be the man.
Sir William smiled sarcastically.
There's only one flaw in that theory"
What is it?'
Sir Archibald and his attendant left
yesterday. forgot to mention that when
we were going over the list Of the
guests"
Detective Sweeney's face fell But he
was pugnacious.
How can we prove that?"
Sir William looked up with q surprised
glance.
ut don't have to be proven. It's fact.
L accompanied Sir Archibald to his car
rage and saw him drive off. and his man
was with him.
That's too bad"
The host smiled
Il think it's good-for Sir Archibald's
man."
After some further talk Sir William and
the detective took walk about the prem
lses and made an examination of locks
and bolts. They strolled into the grounds
and interviewed the two gatekeepers The
gatekeeper at the south entrance said one
OF the servants had brought him mes
sage that no one was to be permitted to
leave the house that night. The servant |
whom he did not recognize, then volun- |
teered to stay on guard until he-the !
south gsttekeeper-should go and give simi- |
lar instructions to the gatekeeper at the