Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-08
The Argus Daily Story
The Ruby Necklace-By Claris sa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1918 by Associated Literary Bureau

her gloves and fan and went down TO
the drawing room, outwardly composed.
Her brain was 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
lsce?" he asked quickly.
She paled TO the lips. Then you did
not take it from the safe?" she gasped.
NO. Of course not. l didn't know it
was there
Then it has been stolen" And she
related the circumstances.
He frowned. Where is JeanneT"
"She was IN my room when 1 re-
turned to it after dinner. l dismissed
her then"
1T happened at dinner" he said
convincingiy. "I'll ring up a detec-
tiYe. He can come as a 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 composure of the
hostess that she had suffered great
loss. Many complimented her on the
loneliness Of her appearance, and 9th
ers added that she needed no jewels
to enhance her beauty.
Dick Palmer introduced a 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.
"Bleek suggests guest in the
house." said Dick later to his wife as
they stood alone together
"Impossiblew said Edith 1.-THE Max
fields are above suspicion. Eugenia
could buy forty ruby necklaces. Your
father-absurd! 1t must have been
one of the extra servants"
"Jeanne?" asked her husband quietly.
"Oh, Jeanne is too much OF a cow
ard to attempt anything big like that
She might purIoin 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 gesture OF dlsmay and
searched the room with her eyes.
Mime. Geulotl Oh, Dick! 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. an 9 ,;he Is
so delightful wonder where she is.
have not seen her since dinner"
81 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 he
placed his arm around his wife's slcn-
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 ne and his wife,
/ Celeste GeulOt-nOne other, my dear
! had planned. II 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,
Z
| 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 it to him
! then. and he took the empty case and
! went below, furious at her. She Is
| now in her room or has escaped with
the necklace viii you 90 to her room
and see If she is there? / want to
| avoid the servants knowing OF the af-
| fair if possible"
Edith went TO the door Of Mime. ecu
| lots room and tapped lightly. There
was no response to her summons or to
| louder knocking. Then Bleek set his
shoulder to the door. and the lock gave
way. He peered inside and then
sprang within. The Planners followed,
| gravely apprehensive.
Nine. Geulot was there. She was
sitting before a cheval glass in all the
| regal splendor Of her amber satin ball
gown. About her throat was clasped
the ruby necklace.
She was dead.
Bleek stepped forward and unclasp-
ed the necklace and examined il
! closely. That's the way with many
of these Asiatic baubles," be said
thoughtfully. II happen TO have heard
of this one before There is large re-
ward out for it. There is a legend that
If it is honestly bought or sold or pre-
scented as a gift it is quite harmless.
II it is stolen the wearer pays the
price. as Nine. Geulot has done, poor
SOUL"
He pointed TO the throat Of the dead
woman, where heavy black mark en-
circled the wilderness OF her neck
1t grew tighter and finally strangled
her" he explained rs they went away
and closed the door behind them.
That's an Asiatlc trick. too" he said.
But Edith and her husband were not
listening Edith was weeping bitterly.
She was grieviug for the friend VINO
had proved false and who had paid the
price.
E-I