Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-10-02

telephone.
''Hullo! Are you there? That you
Phillips?"
"Yesi"
Mrs. Warrington Stout's jewel
have been stolen. Probably only
common or garden burglary, but as thu
Stouts have wired for a special maj
to go down and investigate you'd bet
ter take over the job. Know theil
country placer"
"Grantham, isn't it?"
"Yes! Melville Court, about mil'
from Grantham Station. You'll catcf
the next train, and report as soon a:
possible"
Tonight, if | get back in time!"
That's all, then. Goodby!"
"Goodby"
/ The Warrington Stouts were known
to me-from the society columns OF
numerous daily and weekly papers
Worthy and estimable people they
might be, but the fashion in which
they were persistently paragraph
ed, although it only created a mild
feeling of disgust in an obscure person
like myself, must have made certain
other less advertised members of So
ciety than themselves exceedingly jeal.
Gus. Their leap into prominence had
probably been too sudden to last.
/ caught the ESQ p. m. from Kings
Cross to Grantham.
Among other literature with which
to beguile the two hours journey l
had purchased "P. A. p" C''Principal-
ly About People.") When l opened it
| found that it contained an autobio-
graphical article by Mr.. Warrington
Strout, who was described as the hus-
band of one of society's leaders. This
description was, needless to say, edi-
torial In three columns of verbose
and occasionally llliterate pomposity,
Mr.. Warrington Stout only referred
to his wife once. He could hardly
have mentioned the family jewels
without bringing her in
l kicked the opposite seat q was
alone in the carriage) in what, | felt,
was righteous indignation, and was al
most choked by the dust. Why, oh,
why do people do these silly things in
print? That paragraph In Warning
ton Stout's article was simply an open
invitation to the burglaring commun-
ity to enter Melville Court address
given) and lay hands on the jewels.
For in these days Bill Skies is an edu-
Gated gentleman. who gets half his
ideas from the daily papers and the
other half from the magazine stories.
After reading that article l felt my
interest in the work of this particular
investigation wane. If only l might be
allowed to kick Warrington Stout on
my arrival, | fancied might enter on
the inquiry with requisite zest
Mrs. Warrington Stout in an elabor-
ate dress and a still more elaborate
manner, alone received me.
"Oh, you've come. My husband is
out riding. He cannot do without his
usual afternoon exercise, but he'll be
back shortly. Meanwhile, I'll tell you
the whole story"
She proceeded to give Sme at great
length an account that can be sum-
med up in very few sentences.
The previous night, it seemed, she
had been alone, her husband crossing
the Channel on his way home from
Paris. She slept soundly until inst
as daylight broke, a noise in the room
suddenly awoke her, and she opened
her eyes to see a mans back vanishing
through the window. One glance at
the dressing table showed her that her
jewel box, with all its contents. was
gone. She screamed violently, pealed
the bell and aroused the whole house
hold. The grounds were instantly
searched. but, although footmarks
were found on the bed below the win
low, the thief had evidently got safe
y away with his booty
Mrs. Warrington Stout here made a
pause.
And is that all, madam"
Dear me, no. | was waiting. ex-
'ecting that you would take notes A
still more startling discovery was
speedily made. That day a new butler |
lad come in. After the burglary he
vas nowhere to be found, and his bed
lad not been slept in"
You have arrived at the obvious
stole the jeweIs?"
THAT is the only possible solution"
yet you did not actually recognize
lis back as he disappeared through the
Il was not sufficiently acquainted
Nth his appearance to be quite certain
m that point. You see, he only arrived
lere yesterday afternoon. MY hus-
and engaged him in town; | had not
cen him previously Now shall call
p the servants one by one for you to
them?"
Pardon me, there is no need"
But isn't it usual?'
"Hardly-under the circumstances,
he buffers guilt is, take it. a mat
er beyond dispute"
YES, OF course, but"-and she look
at me as though she doubted if |
'ere an inquiry agent at ali, SO unotho-
OK were my proceedings. l sustained
~ character by producing a note
ook.
L presume, madam, that you can
ccount for the new buffers abrupt
eparture on no other scorer"
Certainly mott"