Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-12-15


one of the most ibezal collectors in
the world. She turned to rosewood
desk and took up telephone.
"Gramercy. 9-7-4-6." she called.
The EfiEgham?-Mr. Ranscome,
please.-This is Mrs. Missioner. Mr..
Ranscome.-Yes, l am at home
Can you come up for few minutes?
Thank you" and as she returned
the receiver to the hook. she explain
ed: "Ranscome is the oldest expert
In New York"
while we are about it, said Sands
slowly. I'VE may as well call head
quarters" He reached for the tele-
phone. but his hand was stayed by
Dorothy's fiuttering fingers.
"oh. Bruxton." she said. please
don't call the police" and as his eye
brows went up, she added. Il am 30
frightened"
II wouldn't be hasty. Sands" said
Griswold The newspapers follow
the sleuths. you know"
I'm not think of the newspapers
replied Mrs. Missioner, but maybe
we'd better wait for Mr.. Ranscome.
You see." and there was perplexity
In the glance that swept the group
this is no ordinary theft"
Not burglary, you thinky" asked
Griswold quickly. He had lighted his
cigarette. and. leaning back in a cozy
corner of the inglenook. was smoking
with little abrupt puts that con-
trasted with the ease Of his position.
HE studied the widow coveruy
through weaving wreaths.
IF burglar could reach this room.
must reorganize my household" she
murmured. She was gazing into the
flames. Her shoulders dropped, and
Sands, noticing her WEAKNESS,
switched on the lights. The rainbow
sparkle Of the jewel trays varied fam
tastically the pattern OF the rug on
which they lay. but the background OF
dusk rested her.
"And there lie no one you suspect!-
There Is no one in the house ! can
suspect"
you are to be congratulated" Girls
void commented. with smile dis
creetly divided between sincerity ana
satire. "And, Of course. having such
an impeccable household"
IF l were you. Doris" Sands broke
In impatiently, ''Td send for the po-
lice at once" His slow logic had car
ried him to the fact that even now
the thief might be on the road to es-
cape. Little Miss March glanced at
him admiringly. Swift or slow OF wit,
the man Of action appeals.
ct think Mr.. Sands is right. Mrs.
Missioner" she said softly. at fright
ened me at first, but Bruxtcn knows"
Advise me-" said the widow, her
satin slipper tap-tap-tapping the fen
der Of Furnished brass. II am not
testing when / say I am in the hands
of my friends. All this Is more than
puzzling."
"Puzzling!" echoed Dorothy. Its
a mystery-and it's all very dreadful
too" Sands looked at her. smiling
There was eloquence in those rare
smiles of his, much N se than In his
speech. Not without cause did Wal
Street know him as silent" Sands.
why not private detectivef'
Griswold suggested. "It Is the bes'
way to recover stolen property"
mr.. Ranscome, madam"
A footman of conventional patterr
stood on the threshold as II on
pedestal and looked ct Mrs. Missionei
from, a cerven faca
Let him come up. Blodgett," sh'
responded. The carven features
blurred into the background. A rount
little man with the face Of dreame
and the eyes Of q student entered. al
most on his toes. Mrs. Missione
| greeted him pleasantly, and as sh'
pressed the button that filled tn
room with light again. she presente'
him to her friends. 'Mr. Ranscome.
she added. ais an expert Of experts.
Briefly the widow recounted the az
cident in the opera box, the discover
of the supposed Maharanee dis
mond's worthlessness, and her sui
picion as to the other stones Of he
necklace. During her recital Rams
comes glance caressed the gems l
the scattered trays. and It was by
visible effort that he wrested his eye
from them to look a. the stones o
the table.
3 "Are they real?" asked the widow
Q The little man seemed not to hes
8 her.
did you say. madam. the Mahar'
. nee diamond?"
Q yes" she answered, and waves
pain rippled across her face. "Ol
4 Mr.. Ranscome, think Of it-think {
r it," She clasped her hands 90 tens
d lily the rings upon them bit her fesl
y Think Of It, Mr.. Ranscome!"
the Maharaneei" he murmured-
u say, rather, groaned in an underton
"a glorious jewel. q wonderful jewe
). queens jewell Gone, did you say
o Absolutely gone--not trace Of TT"
p With the fat Of his hand. he spres
.. the smaller stones on the table. stro
ing their gloss with sensitive finger
D. He held three or four to the ligf
. then, with disdainful gesture. smea
ed the glistening pile broadcast aero
n the board.
e None" replied the widow. al
I those?"
These, Mrs. Missioner" the expe
r. said, as II waking from dream, "a
II the most beautiful limitations I hs'
k ever seem"