The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-24

Newspaper Syndicate
lone watch. diamond fieur de lys
setting on back case. Five diamond
rings, none marked one diamond
pendant set in platinum, thirtyfour
small diamonds. Diamond and pearl
drop earrings" Denny Clarity paused
in his inventory and wiped Off his
forehead Where did she carry them
all, and did she wear them week
days?
Walt Jessup did not answer. He
leaned over the paper on the desk
following with his finger the items
as he read them off for the detec-
tive TO copy.
About s45, 600 worth. we estimate
altogether. Denny he finished up
'All easy to identify. You've seen
how the house is laid out. There
hasn't been a burglar inside the
place. We never leave the house en-
tirely empty, and Yesterday there was
no one here outside the family except
my sisters secretary Miss Haywood. ;"
whats the regular famiiy?" asked
Denny.
well. there's Mrs, COPYRIGHT. my
sister, and Mr. Courtright's invalid
daughter, Miss Violet. by his first
marriage and myself That is all OK
cepting, as / say. Miss Haywood and
the servants Mrs. COPYRIGHT does
not suspect any of them"
And these are all her own things,
none belonging to the other ladies
mentioned ?"
"You mean to Miss Violet or Miss
Haywood oh certainly not. They
are all my sisters personal Jewels.
She has not returned home as yet.
but is on her way. Last Saturday she
left here for Lenox. Her maid. Ro-
densen, a Swedish woman, always car
ries the handbag containing the jewels
and other valuahies. 1t seems that
Mrs. COPYRIGHT did not discover the
loss until that evening when she I'M
locked the case and found 1t empty"
1T was locked ?"
II presume SO, although she has
not written fully. She will be here
this evening, and then you may ask
her yourself ! haven't any theories
about the thing at all. It's all an in
fernal nlix-up. but ! think the maid
is on, If you ask me. The jewels
were all given to Mrs. COPYRIGHT by
her late husband, and she thinks the
world of them"
How about the secretary"
Jessop flushed and half closed his
eyes.
I'VE will leave Miss Haywood out
of the whole thing, IL you please"
he said. She is to be my wife, Just
a moment"
Down the broad oak staircase came
two girls, one tall and strong. the
other small and misshapen-
Miss Haywood and Miss Violet
Courtright," Jessop rnurmured. You
had better wait for me in the smok-
ing room"
Violet insisted on my helping her
down to you, Wait" said Kate Hay
wood, her face full of tender anxiety.
We're both so worried about this,
you know. Have you heard any
thing2"
Jessop waited until he had helped
Violet into the easy lounging chair
and sat beside her. strcking her slim
white hand between his warm palms,
He had always felt sorry for the
girl, ever slice Grace. his sister,
had married her father. She seemed
such a fiery, sensitive soul to he inn
prisoned in the fraiI invalid body.
Not a word" he said cheerily,
but you must not worry. l am
sending out full alarm, and re-
ward is being offered. Grace will be
here soon. and 1t is better not TO let
the servants see you are nervous
Why did you come. down. Violet"
Violet opened her eyes and looked
not at him, nor at the dark, vivacious
face of Miss Haywood, but at the
great sparkling log in the huge fire
place.
Il didn't want to be alone, and
Miss Haywood wanted to !. know il
they had heard anything | wish
Grace were here.
Jessop dropped her hand and rose
at the humming of car up the
drive.
Guess you've got your wish. vi"
he laughed.
She turned her head to watch him
as he stepped to the outer hall, Kate
Haywood at his SHOULDER. From the
shadows of the smoking room Denny
Clarity watched her, and he saw the
strange, frowning wave of pain that
pinched the girls face when she
thought she was alone.
Guess Walt Jessop's too popular
round here unused Denny, graveiy.
Folks can lose worse things than
diamonds"
Then he saw Grace COPYRIGHT as
she came leisurely into the great liv-
her fur cloak thrown open,
her face rosy and handsome from her
ride up from the station. She had
put her arms impulsively around the
fragile figure in the low chair. and
Denny thought IT seemed to shrink
from the contact. al
why. child. how Ill you look" she
Walt, I'm afraid you and
Kate have been too happy to think
Of vi. Now. don't all tell me OF the