The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-18

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7 few out, and a great chase we made
Of 1t. Snap-shotted by the reporters
in full cry. One of the gardeners
saw us, dropped his rake, and Joined
the hunt. That wretched bird set US
some stiff country, too. don't care
for hurdling on my own legs. and as
for brush work-the gardener and
burrowed into hedges and rose
bushes, and every time we thought
we lad the beast, off he'd go again.
At last he Topped up against the
house and hung for dear life to the
ivy, right under Nellie Gaynor's
window-the end window in the
| guest wing. I coaxed and threw
pebbles at 1t, but there 1t hung. Its
feet had become entangled, and we
couldn't reach 1t nor dislodge it. SO
the gardener went for ladder. We
put it up and offered to go up, be-
cause the silly cuss bird is used to
me, though you wouldn't have no.
ticed it to see 1t give me the chase.
The gardener wasn't keen to get his
| fingers nipped. So ladies first and
| up go. The feather duster
squswked and struggled, but couldn't
get loose. got hold Of it with one
| hand and started to dislodge his
claws with the other, when l nearly
lost my balance and fell off. There,
right under my hand, tied to wire,
hung a fiat red leather bag. My pet
had given 1t first-class clawing. |
saw just one thing-Mrs. Lawdon's
ruby pendant. I gave a yowl in
spite of myself.
Ibid he bite you?' the gardener
asked me. Lucky he did, for 1t saved
me from making a prize blunder.
YES" / said. Go to Lizzie or
somebody and bring me couple of
pieces Of sugar and a towel to cover
his head. He can't get loose. His
foot is caught"
Gardener went off on a run, and
in jiffy had that bag stuffed in
side my shirtwaist. tugged the
wire and found 1t was fastened to a
nail within reaching distance Of the
window. The man came back and
| caught my bird in the towel, and
handed 1t down to him. l knew that
would keep him busy. He'd never
notice even though l tulged like a
pouter pigeon If he had the macaw.
He was as afraid of it as of dyna-
mite. I kept behind him, and rang
for the butler when we reached the
hall. l started for the stairs and
called over to anchor the theater hat
to it's ring. Jove! when l reached
my room, was sick. Joe, like kid
dy at her first jump. l locked my
self in and looked at the find. It's
| all there. I've got them now, hid
! den up the chimney, and I'm so
afraid some one will happen on them
that I'm green"
why don't you give them to Cass
or the Lawdon?" Stacy interrupted
Because" said Alice slowly,
there isn't any doubt in my mind.
nor would there be in his or hers, as
to who took them. And l want to
get that stuff back so nobody can
guess who was responsible"
"The maid?"
Alice gave him queer look
Have you heard what happened
this morning. He shook his head.
Mrs. Gaynor shot herself-by-er
accident"
What"
Here in the gun room; right
there behind you, in fact, with Cass's
revolver from the top of that rack"
Stacy turned with start as if he
expected to see the tragedy instant
| ly re-enacted.
"She developed brain fever"
'I'd heard that" he said quickly.
Yes, but she was sane then. l
saw her. l was way down the line
| there; Cass was over in the drawing
/ room. saw her run across the room,
hesitate, and turn in here. She
looked in there" she jerked an indi-
cative thumb over her shoulder,
threw up her hands, and-and then
-bingo! It's a miracle she didn't
succeed"
But what made her? Who was
in the den?"
"Wendham and Adele. He'd
| brought the girl down to explain the
mechanism of some apparatus he
wanted her to use on Nellie. That's
what Lizzie told me. She was left
to watch Mrs. Gaynor when they
went; only Patty rang. So off she
goes, and Nellie has a flash Of intui-
ton, and gets out"
But what the deuce are you driv-
ing at?" Stacy looked the girl
straight in the eyes. She met his
gaze keenly.
Nellie thought Wendham was get
ting the truth out of Adele, that's
what; and she thought the game was
up"
Good heavens! you don't believe
that! why"
"Yes, I do. It's been one thing
and another thing, and two and two
till can't help it. It's Just up to
this. Nellie, sweet old Nellie-yes,
and I love her better than sister.
But don't believe the races is where
| oh ont 1onna1y bab