The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-12-19

4
| an explanation"
l had been unwise In joining George
| at the door, for it was an announce
ment that was his advocate, and Il
| put those in the conspiracy on theil
| guard. After his departure, instead Of
going back TO where the others were
went to my room. and as soon as
could compose myself began to think
| had observed the circumstances
which had occurred shortly before the
watch was missed Cecile was doubt
less blindfolded when it was taken
Then l remembered Sarah Tucker
drawing George off to corner. where
for moment they were not seen.
This latter circumstance only con
nrmed by woman's instinct that she
was the arch plotter in the case.
believed she had stolen the watch from
Cscile, or picked it up and kept 1t. OF
hidden 1t temporarily. And I believed
she had also stolen the scarfpin, and
when she and George were out Of
sight, bad slipped it in his pocket. But
as / have said, all this was built up
on feeling that, having lost George,
she had laid a plot for vengeance.
have never claimed any detective
| talent, but as look back on my rea-
soning, whether it was right or wrong.
am disposed to approve Of myself In
that one respect However, showed
more detective intuition In realizing
at once that the only clew to unravel-
ing the plot lay in the watch. I had
found the woman, but the finding was
useless without the watch.
The rest of my stay with the house
party was devoted to a search for the
missing article. I did not believe that
1t could be easily sent or taken away,
but took the precaution to go to the ex-
press Office and secure promise from
the agent to inform me II any Of the
guests-a list of whom / gave him
left with him package for transmits
sion. My chief object was to remain
at home when the Others were out en-
joying their winter sports. With this
In view, was constantly assuming one
indisposition or another for an excuse
to carry out my plan.
| had little doubt that IL found the
watch l should discover 1t In Sarah
fuckers possession. did not see how
she could well hide it anywhere but in
her room. was obliged to take great
risks in going there. for If caught /
should be considered a thief myself.
thought of communicating my design
as a protection to our host, but he
was too headstrong to trust with SO
delicate matter, and 1 preferred to
work without a single confederate.
The first chance l got to remain in
| doors when the others were out /
waited in the hall till it was deserted,
then went into Miss fuckers room
for a search. expected to find GER
tain reeeptacles where she might have
placed the watch locked, but to my
surprise everything-her trunk, bureau
drawers, suitcase, alligator skin bag,
glove and jewel boxes-all were open.
At first this induced me to believe that
l was on the wrong track, but mo-
ment's reflection told me that l was
on the right one. If the watch was in
her possession and her room was
searched during her absence to lock
her receptacles would avail nothing
and might indicate that she had some.
| thing to hide.
However, l searched every nook and
corner, looked into the toes of her
shoes and felt Of her clothes. No
watch did find Hearing some one
| In the hall, / stood for moment with
my hand on the dOorknob. The foot.
steps passed down the staircase. and
there was perfect stiffness.
| / heard the faint ticking Of a watch
But where? Had l not searched
everywhere and found no watch, not
even one rightfully belonging to Sarah
| Tucker? / walked toward the center
Of the room and stood listening. had
lost the ticking. and 1t was some time
before / could pick 1t up again, and
| when did failed to locate it. There
is no direction to sound, though the
nearer one approaches it the louder II
is. l moved toward the door where
had first heard the ticking, but ii
there was any increase or diminution
failed to detect 1t. At the other end
Of the room was an open fireplace
with CRATE between the two win
dows. moved toward one Of the
windows and stood by it. fancied
the ticking to be more distinct.
moved slowly to the other window
stopping to listen after every step, and
when was before the fireplace the
ticking seemed louder than at any
other time.
realized that, as the children say
in their hiding games, l was getting
warm" / put my ear to the fire
place, and the ticking was louder
thrust my hand up the chimney and
felt its sides. Presently clutched 9
watch. 1t was hanging to a nail.
took it out from its hiding place and
saw that it was lady's watch, and
| Ibid not doubt that 1t was Cecile's.
Hurrying to my room. washed the
SCOT OF my arm and changed my dress
for the sleeve was blackened. ther
walked the floor to calm myself that
might form a plan for turning the
obloquy of the theft from innocent
George Chace TO the real thief. Sarah
Tucker The stolen article now being
In my hands. If discovered with it the
charge would fall upon me. 1t flashed
upon me to put the watch back in the
chimney. Fortunately none Of the
guests had come In and | had plenty Of
time to do So Then / wrote in dis
guised hand on bit Of paper, Ulster
at the fireplace OF Miss fuckers room,
and, slipping into our hosts chamber
left 1t on his dresser, where he woult
not fail to see it as soon as he wen
there He had taken party out IL
an automobile and came in before tht
other groups. AS soon as he entered
he went to his room to dress for din
ner. / was on the watch, and in a few
minutes after his arrival heard hin
go to Miss fuckers room. When b
came out I saw that he grasped some
thing in his hand. At dinner / saw By
his face that something momentoui
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