Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-04-14

posed. He scrutinised three or four
for more than minute. They look
genuine enough to mo-" He offered
Thorn 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 Griswoid's whitening fingers
steady enough. but deadly white. It
was a popularity Of the man that he
turned pale only In his hands. II will
send for jeweler."
'My dear! At this hour?" came In
Dorothy's child treble.
Mrs. Missioner smiled In way that
said there wore jewelers. Of no small
importance In commercial circles who
would be glad to answsr q summons
from her ut any hour-thst It was not
in vain she was known to dealers ~
one Of the most liberal collectors In
the world. She tsrned to . rosewood
desk and took up . telephone.
I Creamery, $1,000" she called.
"The Emngham ?-Mr. Ranscome,
please.-This is Mrs. Missioner. Mr..
Ranscome.-Yes, am at home
Can you come up for few minutesf
Thank, you," and as she returned
the receiver to the hook, she explain
ed: "Ranscome IL the oldest expert
In New York"
"while We are about It," said Sands
slowly. I'VE may % well call head
quarters" He reached for the tele-
phone, but his hand was stayed BY
Dorothy's futtering fingers.
\ "Oh, Bruxton." she said. please
don't call tho police" and % his eye
brows went up. she added. Il am 30
frightened"
Il wouldn't bs hasty, Sands" said
Grisweld. The newspapers follow
the sleuths. you knew"
I'm not think Of the newspaper"
replied Mrs. Missioner. "but maybe
we'd better wait for Mr.. Ranscome.
You ses," and there was psrp;exity
in the glance that swept the group.
this ID NO ordinary theft"
mot . burglary. you think" asked
Griswo.d quickly. He had lighted his
cigarette. and. leaning back In coy
corner Of the ingiefeok, was smoking
with little abrupt puts that cor
tr.stsd with the ease Of his position
He studied the widow covertly
through weaving wreaths.
III q burglar could reach this room,
I must rssfEaAize my household" she
murmursd. She was gazing into the
flames. Her shoulders dropped. and
Sands, noticing her WEAKNESS,
switched OF the lights. The rainbow
sparkle Of the Jewel trays varied fan
tastically tho pattern Of the rug on
which they lay. but the background Of
dusk rested her.
"AnA tAeraIis no one you suspect"
There II no ono In tho house I can
suspect"
you are to DO congratulated" Grts-
void commented, with smile dis
creetly divided between sincerity and
satire. "And. Of course. having such
IN impeccabls household-'
IF I were yen. Doris" Sands broke
In impatiently, ''I'd send for the po-
lice 1t once.s His slow logic had car
risd him to the fact that even now
the thief might be on the road to e.
cape. Little Miss March glanced at
him aslmiringly. Swift or slow Of wit,
the man Of action appeals.
II think Mr. Sands Is right. Mrs.
Missioner" she said softly. 1T fright
ened mo at first, but Bruxton knows"
advise, me-" said the widow. her
satin slipper tap-tap-tapping the fen.
der Of burnished brass. II am not
jssting whom say am In the hands
Of my friends. All this IL more than
Duzzling."
"Puzzling!" echoed Dorothy, ''1t's
. mystery-and its al very dreadful.
too" Sands looked ct her. smiling.
There was sloqusnce in those rare
smiles Of his, much more than in hia
speech. Not without cause did Wall
Street know him ~ Silent" Sands.
why not . private detectivs!"
Griswold suggested. 1T 10 the best
way to recover Stolen property"
Mr.. Ranseome. madam"
A footman Of conventional pattern
stood on the threshold ~ II on Z
pedestal and looked ct Mrs. Missioner
from carven face.
Let him come up. Blodgett," she
responded. The carven features
blurred into the background. "A round
little man with the face Of q drsame,
and the eyes Of . student entered, al
most on his toes. Mrs. Missioner
greeted him pleasantly. and as she
pressed the button that filled the
room with light again. she presented
him to her friends. "Mr. Ranscome.'
she added ''is an expert Of experts.
Briefly the widow recounted the &C