The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-07-26

ing glance. Lances of many-colored
light slashed the comparative gloom
OF the compartment as Mrs. Missioner
brought forth tray after tray from the
jewel vault The steel box in the cen
ter OF the safe was an Aladdin's cave
In miniature. II held stones Of every
sort In settings of every fashion,
ranging from the product of twentieth
century Jewellers back to the loved
works Of Byzantine artif1cers Little
| Miss March gasped again as the wlGs
ow spread the trays on the Persian
rug.
The Widows guests saw what few
persons other than Mrs. Missioner had
seen-all the Missioner Jewels at once.
The gems were the collection OF a
lifetime, Missioner, IN the intervals
himself to gathering them from the
eaLths four corners II had been
his only hobby, and he had pursued
It with the enthusiasm of a man to
whom an extra numeral or two on a
check meant little
.
asked Sands. Even his sturdy indi-
vtduality paid passing tribute to the
magnihcence of the collection. He
left the stones of the necklace on the
table and strolled over to stare at the
rubies and emeralds, the sapphires
and tourmalines and amethysts, above
all at the unrivaled group of diamonds
graded from firef1y's sparkle to the
gloryburst Of radium Little Miss
March, true daughter OF Eve, sank
ON the broad rug beside the shining
trays and gazed at them In an ecstasy
Of alteration
Mrs Missioner drew from a shelf
IN the Jewel box a catalogue Of her
treasures, Item by item she read
from it, the others checking tray by
tray until the last stone was account
ed for, the last save the wonderful
Maharanee diamond
THE big stone gone" unused Sands
Then. Doris" and there was convic-
ton in his tones, as he gathered up
the Jewels scattered on the table,
these others are false, too"
"Oh. do you think so2" asked Doro-
thy, her fingers interlacing IN re-
pressed hysteria
Sure of It," said Sands, holding
one Of the suspected gems TO the
light I'm not an expert, but
haven't the slightest doubt"
Let me see them" Griswold inter
posed. He scrutlnized three or four
for more than minute, They look
genuine enough TO me-" He offered
them to Miss March, whose fingers
did not unlock to take them.
I'VE can be certain very quickly"
said Mrs. Missioner. She was study.
ing Griswold's whitening fingers
steady enoSgh, but deadly white. II
was d popularity OF the man that he
turned pale only in his hands. II will
send for q jeweler."
MY dearl At this hourY" came IN
Dorothy's child treble
Mrs. Missioner smiled in a way that
said there we're jewellers of no small
Importance in commercial circles who
would be glad 10 answer a summons
from her at any hour-that IL was not
IN vain she was known to dealers as
one Of the most liberal collectors in
the world. She turned to a rosewood
desk and took up telephone
'Gramercy, 9-7-4-6," she called
The Eningham?-Mr. Ranscome,
please.-This is Mrs. Missioner, Mr..
Ransoome.-Yes, am at home
Can you come up for a 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 fluttering fingers.
"Oh Bruxton," she said, please |
don't call the police" and as his eye |
brows went up. she added. II am so
81 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 q burglary. you thinkT' asked
3riswold quickly. He had lighted his
cigarette. and, leaning back In a coy
corner of the inglenook, was smoking
With little abrupt pufrs that con
rasted with the ease of his position
de studied the widow covertly
through weaving wreaths.
IF burglar could reach this room.
must reorganize my household" she
She was gazing into the
lanes. Her shoulders dropped. and
sands, noticing her WEAKNESS,
of the lights The rainbow
parkle of the Jewel trays varied fam
Rstically the pattern of the rug on
Which they lay, but the background OF
Iusk rested her.
And there Is no one you suspectG"
There is no one in the house can
~Ysu are to be congratulated" Grts-
reid commented, with a smile dis
reetly divided between sincerity and