The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-04-29

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next floor two faces peered at her from
a curtained alcove-two dark faces
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 dismissSng her maid Edith lock-
ed the door of her room and hastened
to open the wall safe, where her jew
els were secreted. She started back
with n little cry of dismay, for the box
containing the ruby necklace had dis
appeared.
She recovered herself almost instant
ly. "Of course Dick had taken it out
to show. his father, but how did he
know It was there? He guessed 1t,
as l 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 safer" she gasped.
mo, of course not. 1 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 l re-
turned to it after dinner. l dismissed
her then"
1T happened at dinner" he said
convincingly. "rll 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.
In spite of the loss Of the ruby neck
lace the birthday ball was a distinct
success. No one would have surmised
from the sweet compoeupe Of the
hostess that she had suffered a great
loss. Many complimented her on the
lo~enness Of her appearance. and 9th
ers added that she needed no Jewels
to enhance her beauty.
Dick Palmer introduced slim, dark
haired man in correct evening attire
as the detective, Mr.. Bieek, and in a
few crisp questions he drew from
Edith all the facts surrounding the
theft Of the ruby necklace.
"Bleek suggests a guest in the
house" said Dick later to his wife as
they stood alone together.
"Impossible~ said Edith. '-rhe Max
fields are above suspicion. Eugenia
could buy forty ruby necklaces. Your
father-absurd! 1t must have been
one of the extra servants"
"JeanneT 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 a gesutre of dismay and
searched the room with her eyes.
Mime. Geulot! Oh, Dick! 1 know
macy with her, when my acquaintance
with her is so slight. But her letters
from Paris were genuine, and she is
so delightful! 1 wonder where she is
1 have not seen her since dinner"
II will search for her." said Dick
quietly and was gone
When he made his reappearance the
last of the guests were taking depar
ture, and when they were alone h,
placed his arm around his wife's slen
der form.
Dear" he said, ''be prepared for al
unpleasant shock. The ruby necklac,
has been traced to MmN Geulot. De
tective Bleek found the Jewel case OF
the person Of our cook, Pierre Caron
who has confessed that the robber!
was one of many that he and his wife
Celeste Geulot-none other, my dear
had planned. It seems she saw yol
trying on the necklace after had lef
you, watched you hide 1t away ant
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
lace. She refused to give 1t to hin
then, and he took the empty case an,
went below, furious at her. She /
now in her room or has escaped witt
the necklace. VIII you go to her room
and see If she is there? l want t.
avoid the servants knowing Of the af
fair if possible"
Edith went to the door of Nine. Geu
lots room and tapped lightly. Their
was no response to her summons or t
louder knocking. Then Bleek set hi
shoulder to the door. and the lock CAV
way. He peered inside and the
sprang within. The Palmers followed
gravely apprehensive.
Nine. Geulot was there. She wa
sitting before a cheval glass in all tn
regal splendor Of her amber satin bal
gown. About her throat was claspe
the ruby necklace.
| Sha was dead