The Press., 1911-03-15
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 He stared incredulously, boldly, at her. "You cannot possibly mean that my rumored failure on the street has affected your feeling toward me?" he asked scornfully.
 ''No, oh, no! How could you believe little thing like that would make any difference to me? I mean thisy' Elsie brought forth the pearl sleeve link and held it toward him in her rosy palm.
 "You found this? It is mine. l thank you," he said gravely, slipping the link into his cuff and still holding her with his questioning gaze
 'It was in my room-on the chair where my dressing bag had been. You see"-she turned away her head so that she might not see his face-''you see, my emeralds were stolen tonight from that very bag!"
 "AhY' There were anger and con- demnation in his rapid glance before 1t turned to tender amusement "And you have spoken to no one regarding the matterW
 She turned eagerly. "Not a soul. shall never breathe a word. Only I hope shall never see you again! How could you?"
 ''You mean, how could rob the girl loved best in the worldY' he asked gently.
 Ventnor took her hands in his and compelled her to return his straight. look. "Do you love me, Elsie?" lie asked.
 "Yes," she said.
 He released her hands and offered his arm.
 My poor little detective, come with me to Ormond. He has something to show you" -...
 In the housekeeper's room a little group of people were centered about the table. There were Dick Ormond and his wife, Louise; Katuru, the but Ter, and strange, heavy set man with keen eyes. They turned with one ac- cord as Elsie entered with Ventnor
 Miss Halliday" began Dick Or mond soberly, ''this has been rather an exciting evening for some of us would have been for you only Mabel insisted you should be kept in igno- rance until after dinner. Your emer- aids have been stolen-and recover edv'
 White and shaking, Elsie stretched forth her hand and received the green ripple of flame from Ormond. From one end of the chain stone was miss ing.
 q knew it," she said in a low tone "I discovered their loss before dinner. I was going to tell you about it, only I'- She hesitated.
 "She discovered clew," added Vent nor calmly-"this." He laid the sleeve link on the table.
 "And other clews," said Elsie hur- riedly, telling her story now without reservation.
 Then the short man spoke with au thority. "Very easily explained, Miss Halliday. Your maid had unpacked your trunk, and the butler, here, in the absence of another servant was remOv- ing the trunk to the storeroom. A man stepped through the open window. slit open your dressing bag, extracted the jewel case, from which he took the en- eralds, replaced the case in the bag and was escaping through the win dow when your maid, returning, discov- cred him, alarmed the butler and MT. Ventnor, who was passing through the hall, and the three of them struggled to hold him. He was a husky chap and desperate, and they had fight for it, each one leaving some evidence of the contest Now, MT. Ormond, with your permission I'll take my fine gen. tleman alongv'
 He strode to a door and threw it open, revealing in shallow closet the sullen, downcast face of the Halliday chauffeur.
 'Henry!' Miss Halliday's lovely face was a reflection of passing emotions as she realized that the chauffeur had followed in the wake of her journey to rob her; that the valiant little Louise, who was Henry's sweetheart, had captured him for the sake of loy- atty to her mistress and was even now crying her pretty eyes out over his degradation. Elsie swept all barriers aside and knelt down beside her weep ing maid. -.. -.
 Poor little Louise," she whispered softly. "You are far braver than l. I could never have done what you have today. Your reward will come later. My father will investigate, and if it is Henry's first offense it may be possible for you to marry and start afresh somewhere with the dot shall pro- vide"
 Thus comforted, Louise dried her tears and was taken to dinner by Katuru, while the police officer Or away. The OrmOnds went back to their guests, and Elsie slipped away in their train.
 At the drawing room door Ventnor placed his hand in hers and drew her unresisting into the conservatory.
 "You said you loved me-" he said firmly.
 "I do," said Elsie humbly, ''but cannot expect you to value such an affection as have displayed tonight
 "The reason you fastened suspicion 80 strongly upon me was a simple one. dearest. It was really because your heart was so filled with thoughts of me that there was no room to suspect anybody else am fattered- -indeed"-
 "Oh, you are generous. Harvey. Would you want to marry me now?''
 ''If you will have me-" said VentEOr softly. AeIn For tha E1ecePtcian