The Citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1903-1912, 1912-08-17
CHAPTER xi.
The Lace Handkerchief,

sui wearing tue graceful, fllmy
morning gown, with an added touch
of scarlet in hep hair-a single red
rose-Miss Thorne came into the
drawingroom where Mr.. Grimm sat
waiting. There was curiosity In her
mann~r. thinly yelled. but the haunt.
ing sraile still fingered about her lips.
Mr.. Grimm bowed low and placed a
chair 'or her. after which be stood
for time staring down at one slim,
white hand at rest on the arm of the
seat. At last, he. too sat down.
II believe" he said slowly. without
prellminaries. this Is your handker.
chief"
lie offered the lacy trine. odd in do.
sign, unique in workmanship. obvious
ly of foreign texture. and she ac
cepted 1t.
Yes" she agreed readily. Il must
have dropped II again"
That is the one handed to you by
Senior Rodriguez" Mr.. Grimm told
her. Il think you said you lost IL in
his Office yesterday afternoon"
"Yes?" She nodded lnquiringly
1T may interest you to know that
Senior Rodriguez's butler positively
Identifies It as one he restored to you
twice at dinner last evening. between
seven and nine O'clock" Mr. Grimm
went on dispassionately.
Indeed" exclaimed Miss Thorne
THE senior Identifies II as one he
found this morning in his Office" Mr.
Grimm explained obliglngly. During
the night fifty thousand dollars In
gold we're stolen from his saflsG
Miss Thorne sat motionless, wait.
ing.
"All this what?" she inquir
ed, at length
I'll trouble you. please. TO return
the money" requested Mr.. Grimm
courteously. mo reason appears why
you should have taken It. But I'm not
seeking reasons. nor am seeking dis.
agreeable publicity--only the money"
| 1t seems to me you attach undue
Importance TO the handkerchief" she
objected
That's n matter OF opinion" Mr.,
Grimm remarked. 1T would be use.
less, even tedious, to attempt TO dis
prove a burglar theory, but against II
is tho difficulty OF entrance, the
weight of the gold. the ingenious meth.
cd of opening the safe. and the as.
sumption that not more than six per.
sons knew the money was IN the safe (:
while Il person in the house might
have learned II In any OF dozen
ways. And, In addition. Is the fact
that the handkerchief Is odd, there
fore noticeable, lace expert assures
me there's probably not another like
II In the world"
He stopped. Miss Thorne's eyes
sparkled and a smile seemed to be
Juggling at the corners OF her mouth.
She spread out the handkerchief on
her knees.
you could identify this again. OF
course?'. she queried
Yes"
She thoughtfully crumpled up the
bit OF lace in both hands. then opened
them. There were two handkerchief
now-thoy were identical.
Which Is IL, please?" she asked.
II Mr., Grimm was disappointed
there was not trace OF II on his face.
She laughed outright, gleefully, mock.
lng'y, then, demurely:
Pardon me! You see. it's absurd.
The handkerchief the butler restored
to me ut dinner, after lost one in tbs
senor's office, might have been elthe.
OF these, or one OF ten other duplt
Gates in my room, all given to me by
her MAJ mean, she corrected
quickly, by friend in Europe" She
was silent for a moment ia that all?''
NO" replied MIR. Grimm grayely,
decisively I'm not satisfied | shall
insist upon the return OF the money,
and II Il is not forthcoming dare say
Count .di Rosini the Italian ambassa.
dor, would be pleased to give his per
sonal check rather than have the mat
ter become public" She started 10
interrupt; but he went on. In any
event you will be requested to leave
the country"
Then. and not until then, a decided
change came over Miss Thorne's face.
A deeper color leaped TO her cheeks,
the smile faded from her lips, and
there was fash OF uneasiness In her
eyes.
CTO BE CONTINITEDl