The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-09-06

temptation-to obtain money quickly
but it's risky and worrisome. Good
by, dears. Cheer up and be sweeter
tempered when / come home"
what do you say to my calling
headquarters and have detective sent
up here" said Jim.
'Let 'er co. said gruff1y, and while
Jim talked at some length over the
telephone l rearranged the safe in its
usual condition, locking the tin cash
box and empty jewel case in the cup
board.
Eve will have to break the news to
Mary tonight" / said anxiously.
She'll take it hard after waiting all
these years for a $4,000 diamond
necklace and then have it stolen from
under her very nose Wheww
We sat in melancholy silence for an
hour; then the doorbell rang and Stiff
fins ushered in small, stupid looking
little man. with i'll fitting clothes and
griIny hands. He rendered printed
card
AL, NIL DUMP cCdlC0t cd1Q
after introducing the detective to Jim.
found box of cigars, and we lighted
up.
Briefly / related the circumstances:
That Jim Haswell and myself were
executors of the estate of the late Miss
Bethiah Haswell Town aunt to Mary
and JIM, who had died eight years
ago and left among other requests
one to my wife; this bequest consisted
of several listed securities valued at
perhaps $4,000 and handsome dia-
mond necklace. estimated to be worth
at least $4,000 These were not to
be given to Mary until. she reached
the age Of twenty-five. which would
happen on the morrow.
This afternoon we opened the safe
TO check off the bonds and arrange for
their transfer to my wife. and we had
discovered the jewel case to be. empty.
Mr.. Bumps eyes dsfted from Jim's
distressed face to my own and spoke
for the first time since entering the
house.
"Ill look around he said in dry,
husky voice.
He examined the. safe, the cash box.
the locks and keys. the combination to
the safe. the rugs on the floor. the
window latches and looked up the
chimney.
Inside job" he said tersely.
ssvo,, -, =, &1,e e.errap4S ., demanded
Jim.
Il didn't say so"
We leaned against the mantelpiece
while the detective stared at the safe.
'.You didn't ought to KEEP 'em in the
house," he said severely.
1--WE are aware of that fact-now,"
remarked Jim impatiently. "Gtve us
fresh information il you cam.
81 can," snapped Mr.. Bump ominous-
ly. Then his voice went on rapidly,
without pause: There was two men
on the job; they knew the combina-
ton, had keys to the cupboard and
cash box; it was cinch for 'em,
gentsl One man was tall and fair,
with a scar on his temple like Mr..
Haswell here, and the other Teller was
the very spit Of yourself. Mr. Dray-
ton" He smiled impudently into our
astonished faces.
what do you mean?" sputtered
Jimmy threateningly.
Il mean when firm of architects is
pressed for $4,000 and they hold its
worth in trust for relative it's an
easy matter to raise the money and
call in the central Office to cook up a
robbery yarn he said brutally. Now,
gents, I'll give you till tomorrow after
noon to produce that necklace"
The door closed behind his shrinking
form, and Jim and / tottered into OPP
posite chairs and stared aghast at each
other
Fool idea. that. your calling up
headquarters" / muttered angrily.
you've got US in no end of a messI"
How the devil did he learn we need
ed $1O.0O0?r groaned Jimmy. Must
have snooped around lot on his way
up here"