The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-02-23

Oi Lntsu MN all the way. II am half
dead with fear" she had said. yet why
was she thcref What did ii all mean?
His mind was still IL confusion of
thought rs he reached the theatcr.
Suddenly the door OF the limousine
was thrust open. A girl hastily ahghied
and paused for moment at his side
as she looked up Mt him. Scrviss ut.
tered an exclamation OF surprise.
Il thank you for a long ride" the
girl said. "Unconsciously you have
rendered me great service"
She flashed n laughing glance into
his bewildered face and melted into
the crowd.
MY dear SON." he heard his mother
saying at this moment, Il hope we
have not kept you waiting long In the
cold"
Serviss appeared at breakfast the
following morning distrait and preoc.
cupied. His apathy vanished. however.
as his eyes met the glaring headlines
Of a morning paper:
Another Daring Robbery on SUM
ner Road Home of Colonel Richmond
Entered by Burglars Last Night While
Family Were out of Town Naluables
and Money Amounting to Several
Thousand Dollars Stolen Famous Dia.
mond and Pearl Necklace Among the
Missing Jewels. Etc. Etc. - Police
Working Upon Slight Clew- Member
of Mounted Police Saw Large Ii.
mousine Stalled at the Entrance to
Colonel Richmonds Residence as He
Passed on His Rounds at Late Hour
Last Night. but Did Not Think II
Necessary to Investigate at the Time
1t Is Now Believed That 1t Was
This Car Which Enabled the Sneak
Thieves TO Get Away Unobserved."
Grim lines showed about Jack Ser.
viss' mouth AS he folded the paper. So
here was the solution Of the mystery.
Take the box" she had said, "Hnd let
us go at once" And she had made him
her accomplice.
Nat. the chauffeur. entered the room
ut this moment. BEG pardon. sir" he
said. but did one Of the ladies' drop
this in the car last night"
He held out little jeweled locket.
Serviss took it eagerly in his palm. A
hasty glance showed "A name engraved
upon its cover. IL will take care of
the trinket. Nat" he said Unexpectedly.
When the man had gone he read the
name inscribed. 1t was Marguerite
Richmond. All morning he delberat.
ed upon the best course to pursue. One
thing was very evident-the locket
must he restored to its owner. At
length he decided to return il in per.
son and tell what he realized would
sound a most improbable story. He
was determined. however. to give no
information which might lead to the
possible detection of the girl to whom
he had rendered Il service"
His ring was promptly answered on
this occasion. and he was uShered into
the presence Of Colonel Richmond.
How do you do. sir" said this &C.
centric old gentleman, land what's
your business?'
~ have called" Serviss replied. "con-
cerning the robbery which occurred
here last night"
With an impatient gesture Colonel
Richmond waved the subject aside.
"The wrong has been righted." he said
bruSquely. Notes and jewels are all
safe in my possession once more"
He turned away with a chuckle.
THE culprit is here in my own house.
I'll send her in to talk with you. EX.
cuse me. sir: I'm busy"
AS Colonel Richmond left the room
Jack ServisS' fingers came in contact
with the golden trinket in his pocket.
Then a soft. rustling sound caused him
10 glance exppctantly toward the door
way. The curtains parted TO admit
girls slight figure. She stood mo-
ment. looking up with the dark, appeal
ing eyes he remembered 80 we'll.
We'll" she asked. have you come
to inform upon me?"
Serviss stepped forward. II came to
return this locket." he said slowly.
and ! feared that it might be one Of
the missing Richmond jewels"
The girls face flushed rosily as she
extended her hand to receive the trim
ket Il must ask you to listen to an
explanation" she said. ."although 1t
will place me in a ridiculous position.
] have been attending school in Bos-
ton, taking postgraduate course
merely in order to stay on a little
longer with the girls. Not long ago
wrote mother and father 10 expect me
home for the holidays. and mother re-
piled. telling OF various dances and din
ners which were being planned in my
honor. II was then that | decided to
return at an earlier date. 30 that we
three might have nice. honey time
together. Wishing to give them good
surprise. ! did not announce my COM
ing. and 1t never occurred 10 me that
father might take it into his head to
carry mother of 10 visit a sister out In
the country. hut such proved TO be the
case. My train was late. and | left IL
at the junction. keeping close TO the
trees which border the roadside in the
hope that no one would spy me from
the windows. for ! wished to enter the
familiar Old room very quietly and see
ioh nj lna on