Morris tribune., 1913-02-28
scattered about the flower decked

CurLduleu sdlCOVG-tWO UdIk ldCSS
with cunning eyes-but so contrasting
were their conditions in life that had
you coupled their names the world
would have laughed at you.
After dismissing her maid Edith lock-
ed the door of her room and fastened
to open the wall safe, where her jew
els were secreted. She started back
with little cry of dismay, for the box
containing the ruby necklace had dis
appeared.
She recovered herself almost instant
". "Of course Dick had taken it out
to show his father, but how did ne
know it was there? He guessed it,
as | did not wear it at dinner" she
said as she closed the safe, picked up
her gloves and fan and went down to-
the drawing room, outwardly composed.
Her brain was a chaos Of doubt and
perplexity. She dreaded to ask her
husband about the necklace. She was
afraid to hear his answer.
Dick met her at the door of the
drawing room. where is the neck
lace?" he asked quickly.
She paled to the lips. 'Then you did
not take it from the safe?" she gasped.
mo, of course not. l didn't know it
was there
"Then it has been stolen" And she
related the circumstances.
He frowned Where is Jeanne"
''She was in my room when I re-
turned to it after dinner. l dismissed
her then"
ut happened at dinner" he said
.convincingly. "I'll ring up a detec-
| tive. He can come as guest. Don't
mention the matter to any one"
NO. said Edith, and went to re-
ceive the first arrivals. rs..g1
In spite OF the loss OF the ruby neck
lace the birthday ball was distinct
success. No one would have surmised
/ from the sweet composure OF the
hostess that she had suffered a great
loss. Many complimented her on the
loneliness of her appearance, and 9th
ers added that she needed no jewels
to enhance her beauty. $50
Dick Palmer introduced q slim, dark
haired man in correct evening attire
as the detective, Mr.. Bleek, and in a
few crisp questions he drew from
Edith all the facts surrounding the
| theft OF the ruby necklace. u9e
"Bleek suggests guest in the
house." said Dick later to his wife as
they stood alone together.
Impossible" said Edith. '"The Max
fields are above suspicion. Eugenia
could buy forty ruby necklaces. Your
father absurd! 1t must have been
one of the extra servants
"Jeannew asked her husband quietly.
"Oh, Jeanne is too much of a cow
ard to attempt anything big like that
She might purlOin a collar-in fact,
she has passion for collars and hand
kerchiefs, but not jewels
"You have not mentioned our other
guest, Edith" said Dick quietly.
She made gesture of dismay and
searched the room with her eyes.
'Mme Geulot! Oh, Dick! I know
you have warned me against my init
macy with her, when my acquaintance
with her is so slight. But her letters
from Paris were genuine, and she is
so delightful! l wonder where she is.
have not seen her since dinner"
II will search for her." said Dick
quietly and was gone.
When he made his temperance the
last of the guests were taking depar.
ture, and when they were alone he
placed his arm around his Wife's slen,
der form
Dear" he said, ''be prepared for an
unpleasant shock. The ruby necklace
has been traced to Nine. Geulot. De
tective Bleek found the jewel case on
the person of our cook, Pierre Caron
who has confessed that the robbery
was one of many that he and his wife
Celeste GeulOt-none other, my dear
had planned. It seems she saw you
trying on the necklace after had left
you, watched you hide it away and
when you had left the room slipped in
secured the rubies, concealed them il
her room and went down late to dinner
AFTER dinner Pierre, her husband
went to her and demanded the neck
|
then, and he took the empty case anG
went below, furious at her. She il
now in her room or has escaped witt
the necklace. viii you go to her room
and see if she is there? l want tt
, avoid the servants knowing of the af
fair If possible"
Edith went to the door of Nine Geu
! lots room and tapped lightly There
was no response to her summons or tt
louder knocking. Then Bleek set hi:
shoulder to the door, and the lock gave
way. He peered inside and ther
sprang within. The Palmers followed
gravely apprehensiye.
Nine. Geulot was there. She wa
sitting before cheval glass in all tn
. regal splendor Of her amber satin bal
J gown. About her throat was claspeC
: the ruby necklace.
She was dead.
t Bleek stepped forward and uncIasp