The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-08-09
CHAPTER XXI,
Tho MIdnIoht Watch.


ingly rosy.
Can do anything for your" In
Quired.
Nothing. thanks. unless you'll stay
and talk to me-" she replied. rather
cordially. Il feel quite well and
cheerful. and can't account for faint
ing. Won't you sit down? It's sweet
OF you to come. dear"
I looked after Minette's retreating
figure.
Il came to ask you a question-an
impertinent question" I said frankly.
for 1t was that, and l hated to be
hypocritical about 1t. But I'd like to
stay with you If you really care to
have me. hope you'll think I'm In
terested and not curious. Did you
miss any Of your Jewels when-when
you fainted?"
MOP"
can't say that was surprised;
know felt absurdly relieved.
I'm awfully glad. 1t looked so very
much like-once before. that l was
afraid you had
you have no cause for worry. You
were not even there. my dear"
"Oh. no." I exclaimed. Il was not
thinking Of myself"
I'm going to tell you something"
she said suddenly. something l had
decided to keep to myself. It's true |
did not miss anything when tainted,
but I was not wearing all my jewels.
Tonight yielded to an impulse in
wearing them. had what the poker
players call a hunch. was sure II
left them here they would be taken.
But there were too many, they looked
absurd. and at the last moment l re-
moved six bracelets. a pendant and
rope of pearls" She arose and cross
ed to her dressing table. I've been
keeping everything locked since the
ruby was lost. Every day l have put
the jewel box in different place. To
night, when l decided to leave some
of the jewels behind. put them In the
box, yielded to another impulse. and
slipped the box under the pillow on
my bed, where it never had been be-
fore didn't lose anything when
tainted, but the jewel box is empty"
| She opened 1t.
Poor Natalie!
But you must tell IT," urged when
I had sufficiently recovered from the
shock Of It, IT'S too important not
to. Everybody here is In danger un-
less" l did not go on. but involun-
tarily I glanced at the door where
Minette had gone out.
Il will not suspect Minette," she
said firmly. noticing the action. "She
was with my mother when 1 was born,
and she doesn't steal. There are a
thousand ways to prove her inno-
cent
I knew that in the same thought |
suspected her. and remembered
Laura's argument that Minette was
| not at the reception in town. or the
Abercrombies'. Also that at the very
minute the ruby was stolen Minette
was giving Natalie a massage. Min
cite distinctly was innocent.
No, shall not tell It," Natalie pur-
sued. mot yet. anyhow, it's too alb
surd And shall rely upon your dis
cretion, my dear. When we see what
happens to Mr.. Abbott. then"
came to my feet with an exclama-
ton.
You believe Mr.. Abbott guilty."
Il refuse to believe anything" she
replied coolly.
II beg your pardon" said. "but
thought you once told me you were
sure Mr.. Abbott was not thief"
That was before I knew about the
emerald bracelet. My dear. l can't
reasonably believe he's innocent now.
There isn't another emerald bracelet
like that In the world. Detectives
found 1t in Mr.. Abbott's possession.
he doesn't deny It; he can't"
But they didn't find the ruby, and
whatever 1t was you lost at the Aber
combies.'" l protested.
"a sapphire and a diamond brace
let" she sighed.
"And before that? He's shielding
some one." burst out. Il know it; l
feel sure OF It."
"Who?"
shook my head. Every time I
tried to conjecture brought up
against blank wall.
"Mr Crowninshield will surely
make him tell-will find way" l de
clared. That's what a lawyer is for.
Anyhow, he didn't have anything to
do with the ruby" l clung to that
tenaciously. He was at home. Laura
telephoned, and he answered"
Il don't want to think Of 1t any
more" Natalie drawled. Il don't un-
derstand 1t and I'm not trying to. I'm
not going to sleep tonight If can
help it. l shall sit here all night with
the light on, my remaining trinkets in
my lap, grasped firmly-so! In the
morning shall go to town and lock
them in a safety deposit; then I'm 60
ing to Europe. unless I have to stay
here about the trial. When the de-
tective comes tomorrow he can look
after everything else. He won't have