Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-02

felt, knew, someone again the hall. | couldn't
find the stairs to the wing. Whoever was there
me, moved!
In that instant was flashed straight into my eyes the
blaze of an electric aashlight.
"Miss Codman" heard in a tone of utter surprise.
l had no recollection of ever having heard the voice
before.
I screamed, and turning rushed blindy in the di-
recon, as thought, of the wing. My feet touched
space! l plunged forward headlong and went down
down, down into darkness.
Chapter XXI.
WIHEN l regained consciousness John putting
me on the couch in my sitting ROOM and there
tumble of faces before me,-Jo, and Laura, and
Mrs. Hazard, all badly frightened, clutching at
fastened dressing gowns. Natalie there too but
| did not her at first
"Im afraid she's badly hurt, !" John was saying. "Did
DR.. Graham answer, Hap?'
Hap crushing my hand within both his own
hurting me, but didn't want to say So. Everything
the doctor said afterward must have struck the wall
| plunged down the steps into the wing, and that
saved perhaps from breaking neck. 1t later
| discovered that my right was broken, when re-
membered the bag had picked up and couldn't feel it.
@The jewels!" | cried.
"Jewels!' everybody repeated in tone-a tone of
surprise.
al had them when fell, | said "A bag of jewels!"
Hap groaned. I'm sure he thought was out of my
head and after great deal of fuss he managed to get
a drink of brandy down my throat-what he didn't
spill down my neck. But John went out and came
back presently with the bag. 1t dark cloth
bag like lawyers carry their-whatever they do carry
in them And thrown into it, like many potatoes
about the most beautiful collection of jewels have
There silk stockng-Lydia s-con-
tanning more Jewels and Mrs. Higgnson's hot water
bottle
"A thief would never look for jewels in hot water
bottle!' l quoted Historically.
When | remembered again John was sitting at my
desk with the gittering mass spread out before him.
Everyone had crowded around him except Hap who
was kneeing beside the couch holding my hand des-
peraely and listening for the sound of the doctors
l remember that it hazily occurred to me how beaut
fully the lavender brocade dressing gown John and
the soft pink of JOS kmono harmonized-and lavender
and pink usually don't.
"Where did you get them Loule?" 10 asked "What
happened, Dear?'
My head was buzzing; there was pounding in my
Her questions seemed to make tumble of my
thoughts. "Why of course must tell you. tried to
think clearly. al found them-found them in the
cardroom"
EYES, Dear" 10 soothed. @What were you doing in
the cardroom?"
a heard noise in the gallery and wanted to see
see II found em-found them in the cardroom."
Everybody looked SO queer! Natalie glanced quickly
at Mrs. Hazard, glance that Laura intercepted.
l sat up suddenly. Surely you don't think took
them!' l fell back against the pillows again with
groan but it because little unseen devils tortured
when | moved
aShe must not talk" Laura exclaimed. "Don't
question her. 1t isn't fair She doesn't know what she
is saying. For Heavens sake, why doesn't the doctor
conner"
10 sat down beside me helplessly. There nothing
ANYBODY could do until the doctor did | felt
drowsy and I'm sure could have gone to sleep COM
fortably if Hap hadn't kept hurting my hand
Il think there's loot here from everybody, John
marked. "It's jolly mess"
From the mess he separated Dorothy Abercrombie's
green lizard with the ruby eyes, Mrs. Abercrombie's
moonstone set with sixteen large diamonds and that
crazy bowknot collar of Mrs Sargents. Then Natalie
pointed other things she recognized But there
left tumble of soitaires handsome but nondescnpt,
rings and pendants bracelets and brooches which only
their owners could identify.
Everybody but myself Natalie said finally.
@Theres not single thing there of mine
Somehow it seemed to me there ought to have been
fbah fhCcof she oar IIar
"You had pistol l said weakly, thinking of it.
"Yes but knew it but you, said Natalie.
A,J , I'D To of