Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-22

on the broad rug beside the 6nluins
trays and gazed at them in an ecstasy
- alteration.
Mrs Missioner drew from q shelf
In the Jewel box catalogue Of her
treasures. Item by item she read
from IT, the others checking tray by
tray until the last stone was account
ed for, the last save the wonderful
Maharanee diamond.
"The big stone gone" unused Sands.
Then, Doris" and there was convic-
ton in his tones, as he gathered up
the jewels scattered on the table,
these others are false, too"
"Oh, do you think so?" asked Doro-
thy, her fingers interlacing in re-
pressed hysteria.
Sure Of It," said Sands, holding
one of the suspected gems to the
light. I'm not an expert, but I
haven't the slightest doubt"
Let me see them" Griswold inter-
posed. He scrutinized three or four
for more than q minute "They look
genuine enough to me-" He offered
them to Miss March, whose fingers
did not unlock to take them.
1--WE can be certain very quickly"
said Mrs. Missioner. She was study.
ing Griswold's whitening fingers
steady enough, but deadly white. It
was a popularity Of the man that he
turned pale only In his hands. 81 will
send for a jeweler."
"My dear! At this hour?" came In
Dorothy's child treble.
Mrs. Missioner smiled in a way that
said there were jewelers. of no small
importance in commercial circles who
would be glad to answer a summons
from her at any hour-that it was not
! In vain she was known to dealers as
one Of the most liberal collectors in
the world. She turned to a rosewood
desk and took up telephone.
"Gramercy, 9-7-4-G," she called.
THE Eillngham?-Mr Ranscome,
please.-This is Mrs Missioner, Mr..
Ranscome.-Yes, am at home
Can you come up for few minutes
Thank YOU" and as she returned
the receiver to the hook, she explain
ed: "Ranscome is the oldest expert
in New York"
while we are about It," said Sands
slowly, I'VE may as well call head
quarters" He reached for the tele-
phone, but his hand was stayed by
Dorothys futtering fingers.
"Oh, Bruxton," she said, please
don't call the police" and as his eye.
brows went up, she added, Il am SO
frightened"
81 wouldn't be hasty, Sands" said
Griswold. The newspapers follow
the sleuths, you know
I'm not think of the newspapers,
replied Mrs. Missioner, but maybe
we'd better wait for Mr. Ranscome
You see,' and there was perplexity
in the glance that swept the group
this is no ordinary theft"
mot a burglary, you think?" asked
Griswold quickly. He had lighted his
cigarette, and leaning back in coy
corner of the inglenook, was smoking
with little abrupt puffs that con-
trasted with the ease of his position
He studied the widow covertly
through weaving wreaths.
IF burglar could reach this room
must reorganize my household she
murmured. She was gazing into the
flames Her shoulders dropped, and
Sands, noticing her WEAKNESS
switched off the lights. The rainbow
sparkle of the jewel trays varied fan
tastically the pattern Of the rug or
which thew Law hut the ha c;grOund OF
dusk rested her.
And there is no one you suspect?'
There is no one in the house I car
suspect"
you are to be congratulated, Girls
void commented, with a smile dis
creetly divided between sincerity ant
satire And, of course having such
an impeccable household"
IF l were you, Doris Sands broke
in impatiently, I'D send for the pc
lice at once" His slow logic had car
ried him to the fact that even now
The thief might be on the road to es
cape. Little Miss March glanced a
him admiringly. Swift or slow of wit
the man of action appeals.
Il think Mr. Sands is right, Mrs
Missioner" she said softly. at fright
ened me at first, but Bruxton knows
Advise me-" said the widow. he
satin slipper taptap-tapping the fen
der Of FURNISHED brass. II am no
7 'nsting when say am in the hand
# NY friends. All this is more thai
| r-z'iwr"