El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-11-25
The Pendant
CBy Henri Fak.)

~ODAY Nine. Persifry had got up
early and began to tidy her
dressing table. Opening a silver
Jewel case she cried in voice Of de-
spair:
Ny pendant"
N. Persifry. who was reading in bed.
dropped his paper and jumped GUY on
the floor Pointing to the empty case.
his wife cried; ..7-,.t
Ny pendant"
''Oh. 1 suppose you must have mis-
laid it somewhere
They ransacked 1eVerlsn1y ever
drawer in the dressing table, every
nook and corner in the wardrobe anu
then stood staring at each other FER
sffrv who was rather stout. mad pe-
come quite purple In the race Win SA-
erti0n He threw himself into an easy
chair and scratched his head his WE
who was thin and nervous, nao grown
pale, almost green and pressed hsL
hands against her beating heart. Iney
had retired from business some years
before, were very saving and the loss
of 2 Jewel valued at 5000 francs was
a very serious matter to them
Now let US see, he panied when
did YOU wear IT lastE
"A week ago, at Laurier's dinner
party and I remember distinctly put
ting it back into the case when we
came home"
And you are sure you did not leave
the key IN the lock Of the draWerED
No. always carry the key in my
The lock which was Of excellent
workmanship, had not been forced.
The clock struck eight The younger
Persifrys- were still asleep, as F1rmin
did not have to go court on sundays
nor Celeste to her music lessons. Their
mother ran to their rooms to wake
them up and tell them what mad nap
pened. A family council was held IN the
- 'fr=r11f
fellow of about IS, was sleepy and
wanted to go back to bed. while Ce-
leste, a girl of is, opened her blue eyes
wide in surprise Whom should they
SUSPECT? The maids? Persifry told them
Of the theft just to see how they
would take it. The chamberma1d, An
nette, a pretty, dark-haired girl, and
Felicia the fat cook, both gave way 10
suitable EXPLANATIONS of surprise When
they had been sent out again Persifry
did you notice how Felicia
But papa" cried Celeste, "she is the
niece of the dairyman.
And I engaged Annette" said ma
dame, because she had such excellent
recommendations from Russian fam
Certainly" said Firmin, Annette
is a very honest girl"
Other suggestions were made. They
remembered the visits of several
sell lace but none of them had been
inside Then there was a masseur, but
he was concierge.
Annette entered with some letters
Among these was a printed circular
which read: John Gibewlett former
detective. Villa Mon Reeve, rue de
Paris. ShadOwing, divorces, detective
work Of all kinds. Success certain.
Payment only in case Of success.
PerSifry handed 1t to his wife with
a bitter smile, but she saw in the CO.
incidence a hint from heaven.
''AsOWe don't have to pay unless he
finds it, we don't run any risk" she
said.
Fersifry would not listen and was
giving his reasons, when Mederic, an
old uncle Of his wife, came to invite
them all to q sail on the river. When
he had been told what had happened
he said:
IF we could only get hold of an
English detective: they are so smart. 3"
Persifry would much prefer to turn
the matter over to the police, but was
at last persuaded to send a telegram
to the detective and Annette was sent
to the pOstoffice with it. They dis
cussed the theft for a long time yet.
Then the family had breakfast, went
when they returned they found a tele-
gram that GbeWlett would call at half
past eight in the evening.
When the clock struck half past
eight the door bell rang and the cham
bermatd admitted a thin gentleman
who bowed stiffly. He was the typi-
cal Sherlock Holmes in appearance,
smOOth-shaven, hair parted in the mid
die with great care, bushy eyebrows,
gray penetrating eyes, thin lips and a
yellowish- green complexion. With a
strong English accent he exclaimed:
I can find the stolen article"
How chic they are, these English
men, murmured Mederic who was
fond Of reading detective stories.
Persifry, who was a little excited,
began:
I'VE received a circular from you
this morning, sir"
"Oh, yes" the detective answered. Il
did send out some circulars yesterday
I have just come to France. At pres
ent, time is money. Do you want me
to find the stolen article or not2"
Certainly I should like you to try,
but hadn't I better know your price
beforehand"
1T will cost you nothing if don