The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-09-01
CHAPTER xl.
The Lace Handkerchief.

aUS IGS0 rbdUONStCtDtGts
Still wearing the graceful, filmy
morning gown, with an added touch
of scarlet In her hair-a single red
rose-Miss Thorne came into the
drawing-room where Mr.. Grimm sat
waiting. There was curiosity In her
manner. thinly yelled, but the haunt
ing smile still fingered about her lips.
Mr.. Grimm bowed low, and placed q
chair for her, after which he stood
for time staring down at one slim.
white hand at rest on the arm of the
seat. At last, he. too sat down.
II believe" he said Slowly, without
preliminaries. this is your handker-
chief?"
He offered the lacy trifle, odd in de-
sign, unique in workmanship, obvious
ly Of foreign texture. and she &C.
cepted 1t.
YES" she agreed readily, Il musa
have dropped it again"
THAT is the one handed to you by
Senior Rodriguez" Mr.. Grimm told
her. II think you said you lost it in
his of1ice yesterday afternoon
".
ut may interest you to know that
Senior Rodriguez's butler positively
Identifies 1t as one he restored to you
twice at dinner last evening. between
seven and nine o'clock" Mr.. Grimm
went on dispassionately.
Indeed" exclaimed Miss Thorne.
"The senior Identifies 1t as one he
found this morning in his ONCE" Mr..
Grimm explained obligingly. During
the night fifty thousand dollars in
gold were stolen from his safe"
Miss Thorne sat motionless. wait.
ing.
"All this means-what?" she inquir.
ed. at length.
I'll trouble you, please, to return
the money" requested Mr.. Grimm
courteously. mo reason appears why
you should have taken it. But I'm not
seeking reasons, nor am seeking dis.
agreeable publicity only the money"
1T seems to me you attach undue
Importance to the handkerchief" she
objected.
That's matter Of opinion" Mr..
Grimm remarked. 1T would be use
less, even tedious, to attempt to dis
prove burglar theory, but against it
is the difficulty of entrance, the
weight Of the gold, the ingenious meth.
cd Of opening the safe, and the az.
sumption that not more than six per
sons knew the money was in the safe:
while person in the house might
have learned it In any of a dozen
ways. And, in addition, is the fact
that the handkerchief is odd, there
fore noticeable. A lace expert assures
me there's probably not another like
1t in the world"
He stopped. Miss Thorne's eyes
sparkled and smile seemed to be
Juggling at the corners Of her mouth.
She spread out the handkerchief on
her knees.
you could identify this again. o,
course?" she Queried.
YES"
She thoughtfully crumpled up tina
bit OF lace in both hands, then opened
them. There were two handkerchief
now-they were identical.
"AASA 40 ~, PAO0oCl BIG d6A0U.
II Mr.. Grimm was disappointed
there was not trace of it on his face.
She laughed outright, gleefully, mock.
ingiy, then. demurely:
Pardon me! You see, it's absurd.
The handkerchief the butler restored
to me at dinner, after lost one in the
senor's ONCE. might have been either
Of these, or one Of ten other dupli.
Gates in my room, all given to me by
her MAJ mean" she corrected
quickly. by friend In Europe" She
was silent for moment. "Is that all?''
mo-" replied Mr.. Grimm gravely.
decisively. Pm not satisfied. shall
insist upon the return of the money.
and If 1t is not forthcoming dare say
Count di Rosini. the italian ambassa-
dor. would be pleased to give his per-
sonal check rather than have the mat.
ter become public" She started to
interrupt; but he went on. I'm any
event you will be requested to leave
the country"
Then, and not until then, q decided
change came over Miss Thorne's face.
A deeper color leaped to her cheeks.
the smile faded from her lips, and
there was fash Of uneasiness In her
eyes.
CTo BE CoNrINurDl