Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-02

8 looked after Minette's retreating
K figure. Il came to ask you ques
OH9 ton-an impertinent question"
said frankly; for it that, and
hated be hypocritical about it. "But d like stay
think m interested and not curious. Did you miss any
of your jewels when-when you fanted?"
l can't say that was surprised; know felt alb
surdy relieved. am awfuy glad. 1t looked SO very
much like one before that l afraid you had
"You have no cause for worry. You were not even
there, my dear"
ooh no." | exclaimed al was not thinking of my
SELF
4Im going to tell you something she said suddenly
something had decided to keep myself. It's true
l did miss anything after tainted; but not
wearing all my jewels Tonight yielded to impulse
in wearing them. had what the poker players call a
bunch. | was that if left them here they would
be taken. But there were too many they looked alb
surd and at the last moment removed six bracelets
a pendant and rope of pearls She rose and crossed
to her dressing table "Ive been keeping everything
locked since the ruby missing. Every day put the
jewel box in different place. Tonight when decided
to leave of the jewels behind put them in the
box yielded to another impulse, and slipped the box
under the pillow my bed where it never had been
before. l didn't lose anything when l fainted-but
the jewel box is empty!' She opened it.
Poor Natalie!
"But you tell it," urged when had sufficiently
recovered from the shock of it. ats important not
to- Everybody here is in danger, unless did not
60 on; but involuntary glanced at the door where
Il will suspect Mnette" she said firmly noticing
the action @She with my mother when was born
and she doesn't steal. There thousand ways to
prove her innocent
knew that in the thought l suspected her. and
l remembered Laura's argument that Minette not
at the reception town. at the AbercrombleS also
that at the very minute the ruby stolen Minette
was giving Natalie massage Minette distinc ly was
innocent
@No, shall tell it," Natalie pursued; mot yet,
anyhow it's too absurd. And l shall rely upon your
discretion, my dear When we see what happens to Mr.
Abbott, then
| came to my feet with an exclamation 3You be-
heve Mr. Abbott guilty.
Il refuse to believe anything she replied coolly
IL beg your pardon, said; "but thought you
told me you Mr.. Abbott not thief"
@That before knew about the emerald bracelet.
My dear, can't reasonably believe he's innocent now
There isn't another emerald bracelet like that the
world Detectives found it in Mr. Abbott possession.
He doesn't deny t-he can't"
"But they didn't find the ruby and whatever it was
you lost at the Abercrombies', !" persisted.
"A sapphire and diamond bracelet" she sighed
@And before that? He's shielding one' burst
out IL know it! | feel sure of it,"
"Who?1
shook my head Every time tried to conjecture
l brought up against blank wall
find way declared. @That's what lawyer is for.
Anyhow he didn't have anything to do with the ruby.
l chung to that tenaciously "He at home. Laura
teephoned, and he answered"
Il don't want to think of it any more Natalie
drawled IL don't understand it. and I'm not irving
to. I'm not going to sleep tonight if can help it.
shall sit here all night with the lights on my remaining
trnkets in my lap, grasped frmly-so! In the morning
shall go to town and lock them in safety deposit;
then I'm going to Europe, unless have to stay here
he look after everybody else. He won't have to
bother about me-
all sit up with you" I told her. went toward the