Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-08

1t could be easily sent or taken away,
but took the precaution to go to the ex-
press office and secure promise from
the agent to inform me If any Of the
guests-a list Of whom l gave him
left with him a package for transmits
sion. My chief object was to remain
at home when the others were out en-
Toying their winter sports. With this
in view. | was constantly assuming one
indisposition or another for an excuse
to carry out my plan.
| had little doubt that If found the
watch | should discover it in Sarah
fuckers possession. did not see how
she could we'll hide it anywhere but in
her room. | was obliged to take great
risks in going there. for if caught l
should he considered a thief myself.
I thought Of communicating my design
as a protection to our host. but he
was too headstrong to trust with so
delicate a matter. and | preferred to
work without single confederate.
The first chance got to remain in
doors when the others were out |
waited in the hall till it was deserted.
then went into Miss fuckers room
for search. l expected to find GER
tain rcceptacles where she might have
placed the watch locked, but to my
surprise everything-her trunk. bureau
drawers. suitcase. alligator skin bag.
glove and jewel boxes-all were open.
At first this induced me to believe that
| was OH the wrong track. but mo-
mcnt's reflection told me that / was
on the right one. If the watch was IN
her possession and her room was
searched during her absence to lock
her receptacles would avail nothing
and might indicate that she had some
thing to hide.
However. | searched every nook and
corner. looked into the toes Of her
shoes and felt Of her clothes. No
watch did | find. Hearing some one
in the hall. stood for moment with
my hand on the doorknob. The foot
steps passed down the staircase, and
there was perfect stiffness.
I heard the faint ticking Of watch.
But where? Had l not searched
everywhere and found no watch, not
even one rightfully Delongiug to Sarah
Tucker? ] walked toward the center
of the room and stood listening. l had
lost the ticking. and it was some time
before l could pick It up again. and
when did failed to locate 1t. There
is no direction to sound. though the
nearer one approaches it the louder it
is. | moved toward the door where
had first heard the ticking. but If
there was any increase or diminution |
failed to detect it. At the other END
Of the room was an open fireplace
with a CRATE between the two win
dows. l moved toward one Of the
windows and stood by it. l fancied
the ticking to be more distinct. |
moved slowly TO the other window,
stopping to listen after every step, and
when l was before the fireplace the
ticking seemed louder than at an!
other time.
| realized that. as the children say
in their hiding games. was getting
warm l put my ear to the fire
place, and the ticking was louder.
| thrust my hand mp the chimney and
felt its sides. Presently | clutched 4
watch. 1t was hanging to nail.
took it out from its hiding place and
saw that it was Il lady's watch. and
I did not doubt that 1t was Cecile's.
Hurrying To my room. l washed the
SCOT off my arm and changed my dress
for the sleeve was blackcned. then
walked the floor to calm myself that
might form plan for turning the
oblonuy Of the theft from innocent
George Chace to the real thief. Sarall
Tucker. The stolen article now being
in my hands. if discovered with II tho
charge would fall nnon re. 1t flashed
upon me 10 put the watch back in the
chimney. Fortunately none OF thf
guests had come in and J had plenty O.
time to 90 50. Then ! wrote in dis
ci,iYpd hand on bit OF paper. LIS en-
AT thc tr.r!ar,. IT Mss inrh"f > '""'h'
md sIipnug into our hosts caah'ei
rar+ :, nm hig dresser. where he WoillC
not fail to seq il Is soon aS he wen
there. He he'd taken party out Il
an automobile and came in before tn'
othar s~-o,1ns. As soon as he entered
he went to his room to dress Tor GIN
nor WAS OH the watch. ana IN rev
minutes after his arrival | heard Mn
gu 10 Miss fuckers room. Nhen IL
( .o,oa ort saw that ne grasped some
thipr in his hand. At dinner | saw D.
his face that something momentou
was IN his mind. But he controlled II
ronrcssicn SO successfully that | aloE
noticed it When he arose from III
tohle he announced that he would DIX
to see us ai! in the drawing room Al
er we had assembled there he sa'd:
"a great injustice has been done
George Chace. The stolen Watch I'D
come to light under circumstances
Indicate tia! he was made the victil
Of =, cousn!.acy. | need not accuse I'll
real culpr;t. who is my guest 10 e.
onerate Chare."
Then he went to Cecile and handf
her her watch.
When met George be threw II
arms around me in his impulslVe VIA
saying:
"0-hat n dot I've been to get mkt
up with either Of those girls! YOU
worth thousand of them"
fcrgave him.