Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-02-10

unpleasant er-occurrence here con-
corning which-er-I-er desiah no
publicity, you understand, but which
-er-I want cleared up and -er-the
guilty persons punished"
She did not explain how the guilty
were to be punished without public
ity. but Nagel let that pass. merely
saying:
IF you will acquaint me with the
facts, Mrs. Bingham, / shall be in a
position to understand and advise"
You're a detective, amt your" in
quired the mistress Of The Boulders,"
dropping into the vernacular when
she ran" an clearinghouse in Kokomo.
Sometimes we are called that"
Nagel responded gently.
We'll, then, see what you can make
Of this: You must know that my late
husband was partial to precious
stones. Jest before he died he bought
an gave me a very swell stone-a
di'mond-'most as big as a pigeons
egg, and worth all of $4,000
never had it set, cause some day
thought might pick up its mate, an
then If wearin' eardrops came into
fashion I'd have pair, you see.
Well. Mr.. Nagel, the night before last
while we was all at dinner somebody
started t talk about dfmonds. My
niece, very foolishly, mentioned my
big di'mond. an nothin' would do but
| must have it down to show 'em. So,
| sent my maid to get it out Of the
safe. | always KEEP it in its own
case, you know, an 1t was passed
round the table from one end to the
other. up one side an down again.
Fin'lly it came back to me, an / shut
the lid an laid the case by my plate
After bit l told Celeste-that's my
maid-to take tn thing upstairs an
put it away. Thinks | to myself, I'd
take look at the beauty before it
went. so snapped back tn lid. True
as I'm settin' an breathin' here this
minute Mr.. Nagel, tn stone was
gone! There was nothin inside but
tn crimson plush linin'l"
queried Nagel, as the short breathed
narrator paused, her fat bosom pal
pitating and she herself hoarse with
emotion.
why. tn whole table was in an
uproar. My guests felt dreadfully.
Bein' lady, accused no one, of
course-but some one took that
di'mond, Mr.. Nagel, an l want to
know who il was pretty quickl"
You are sure the stone was in the
box when it came back to you after
going the rounds of the table?"
IF it was my last dying word I'd
swear to it," was the agitated answer.
How many were at table, not
counting the servants, of course?"
Let me see." and Mrs. Bingham
began counting on her plump and
hideously bejeweled fingers. why
er--we sat down Is all told"
Yes. And who was the last person
who handled the box and the stone
before 1t was returned to your"
That's the most awful part of tn
whole thing, Mr. Nagel," returned
his hostess. lowering her voice and
almost whispering. "Sir Nigel Deer.
ing occupied the place of honor on
my right hand. 1t was him who hand
ed the box to me with one of his
bee-yu-tiful bows. II would mortify
me to death even to hint that he
knew anything about it."
What did your guests say and do?''
why they all jumped up an
pushed their chairs back an began to
hunt for the stone. But | knew that
was no use-'cause I'd seen it in tn
box when il came back to me, an
so ! told 'em. Then some of the men
oh, they all acted like perfect gen.
temen-laughed and tried to joke 1t
on, an said we'd ought to close the
doors and search every one present.
An would you believe 1t, Sir Nigel
Deering behaved just noble-said
that he'd volunteer to be tn first
one!"
And was the suggestion carried
out?" queried Nagel, gently. For de.
spite the inherent vulgarity of his
hostess and employer. he somehow
could not help liking her.
why. Mr.. Nagel. of course mott"
came the surprised ejaculation. 81
hope ! know my duties to my guests.
Not for a dozen such di'monds would
so insult them-particularly Sir
Nigel. Course, / laughed it off,
said / guessed tn maids d find it in
tn mornin' when they SWEEP, an
turned II on like that. But true as
sit here. Mr. Nagel. l haven't slep'
a wink thinkin' of it, don't wish
any scandal or any horrid talk, bu,
l do want my di'mond back"
Who suggested your application to
my firm?" was Nagefs next query.
Again Mrs. "Barty' lowered her
voice.
II was Sir Nigel Deering," she con.
fessed. said he'd heard of you in
London"
Percy nodded. rejecting that might
very well be the case. and also that
the suggestion showed the baronet
to be well posted in such matters.
Now, Mrs. Bingham" he resumed,
| aroa King vary aorpo.trx - z.-s--