The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-07-26


ever was trying to escape me. did.
went back to bed and did some think
ing. tried to connect up all tne
queer things that had happened
Natalie losing her jewels. Winthrop
being arrested. the woman At Natanes
door. but couldn't get anywhere. Ny
mind simply tied itself into KNOT
everything jumbled. l could make no
connection. But there's one thing Ger
tain. II We have . thief here It's .
woman"
My mouth dropped open . bit In the
way thought had learned to con-
troll. but didn't say anything.
IT there had been Just one door
locked. I'd have had her. but every
door was unlocked. making 1t as easy
as pie for anybody who wanted to
steal"
But We have nothing to steal.
expostulated; "at least no jewels.
have none. Laura has none. and your
mothers are In the bank. Nataies
door was locked. wasn't it,"
"She has had her lesson"
Besides. we've never been certain
before that a thief was here"
I'VE are not certain now" he point
ed out. But something Is wrong.
queer. want you to keep mum about
1t. I'm going to investigate"
"Ah. Monster Lecoq!" taunted.
Don't laugh. I'm quite serious
about 1t. l have all sorts Of theories.
IF your are quite serious about It
you ought to have all sorts OF detec-
tive" l suggested.
"One is coming. but it isn't going to
keep me from doing little work on
my own hook. A detective might fnd
a gang planted here among the serv-
ants: l might find the chief at the din
ner table. Fascinating, isn't IT."
"Horrible!" declared.
perhaps Natalie's ruby was stolen
after ALL" he mused. He began pacing
again. II thought she was crazy. for
why would thief take one jewel and
leave the others? I'm NOT SO sure
now but that she is right. We no
doubt have a charming creature in our
midst with a delightful sense of hui
NOR"
And you are going to unearth herr"
He sat down again and looked at
me intently.
Are you losing the main point?"
ne demanded You must be cleared
of suspicion. you know"
Obi" I exclaimed. "I am no
fonger suspected Miss Agazziz came
to my room last night and said she
Gas sure l hadn't taken her ruby;
that she realized l couldn't possibly
have done such a thing, couldn't pos
sibly."
We'll, I'll be u" He stared at
change her mind?"
Il don't know" ! answered. she
didn't give me the impression that
anything had happened. She was
quite calm and cool as she always is,
and she was rather friendly"
He brushed the forelock out Of his
eyes. and regarded ME for a while
with that comically surprised expires
sion OF his. Then he laughed.
You'll excuse me-" he said, "but
the thing Is funny. Wait minute!
Let me think! She heard about Win
| throp."
| I'm sure she didn't" assured
him. II don't see how she could have
heard. No one knew 1t but myself
until that message came for your
mother Your mother talked to Mr
| Crowninshield from her own room.
It's her own private number. as you
know, and has no possible connection
with the other phone. The converse
| 1AA rnfhtrU
had been listening at the door. Laura
did not guess, and you know how keen
she Is. Miss Agazziz came in soon
after, but she couldn't possibly have
known"
81 believe she did know"
You're rather strange in your be-
! lief, aren't you? Whatever else Ma
talie is she isn't a hypocrite," l de-
Tended. You ought not to be too
hard on her, remembering that once
you"
II have another strange belief" he
smiled. Il believe I'm going to marry
you"
Once I made fool Of myself" he
interrupted. We're going to forget
all about that, you and l. aren't we?"
Yes" l replied: then after a mo-
ment. I'VE are going to forget all
about everything. you and l."
Except that we love each other"
I'VE are going to forget that" said
firmly.
There was no use answering. l
picked up two tennis balls and started
for the other end OF the court. But
it's Just my sex to have the last word.
| looked back over my shoulder.
And believe you're going to make
some girl an argumentative husband"
said very, very sweetly.
| He opened his lips to reply, smiled,
| changed his mind and swung his
| racket into position.
Ready" he called.