The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-08-08
CHAPTER XXI,
The Midnight Watch,

talie In bed, as l expected, she wa
y sitting near an open window, surpri
ingly rosy.
Can l do anything for you?" I fl
quired.
Nothing, thanks. unless you'll sta
! and talk to me-" she replied, rattle
cordially. Il feel quite we'll an
, cheerful, and / can't account for fam
ing. Won't you sit down? It's swee
of you to come, dear"
looked after Minettes retreatin
figure.
II came to ask you a question:
impertinent question:" I said frankly
for it was that, and l hated to b.
hypocritical about it. But I'd like t,
stay with you If you really care tt
have me. I hope you'll think I'm In
terested and not curious. Did 70,
miss any Of your Jewels when-whe1
you fainted?"
"No?"
can't say that was surprised:
know felt absurdly relieved.
I'm awfully glad. 1t looked so very
much like-once before. that I was
afraid you had"
you nave 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 l tainted.
but was not wearing all my Jewels.
Tonight l yielded to an impulse In
wearing them. had what the poker
players call a huneh. was sure If I
left them here they would be taken.
But there Were too many, they looked
absurd. and at the last moment re-
moved six bracelets. = 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 1 have put
the jewel box in different place. To.
night, when I 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 1t never had been be-
fore. l didn't lose anything when / !
tainted, but the Jewel box is empty"
She opened 1t.
Poor Natalie! /
But you must tell it." urged YlnR
had sufficiently recovered from tie |
shock Of it. TITS too important not |
to. Everybody here is in danger Tin.
less" 1 did not go on. but involuu.
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 was born.
and she doesn't steal. There are
thousand ways to prove her limo
cent"
I knew that in the same thought !
her. and I remembered
Laura's argument that Minette was
lot at the reception in town, or the
Abercrombies. Also that at the very
minute the ruby was stolen Minette
vas giving Natalie q massage. Min.
9tte distinctly was innocent.
mo, l shall not tell it," Natalie pur-
sued, mot yet, anyhow, it's too alb
'urd. And shall rely upon your dis
my dear. When We see what
happens to Mr.. Abbott, then"
| came to my feet with an exclama,
ion.
You believe Mr.. Abbott guilty."
1 refuse to believe anything" she
eplied coolly.
I beg your pardon" said, "but 1
bought you once told me YOU were
ure MIR. Abbott was not a thief"
That was before knew about the
'merald bracelet. My dear, I can't ,
easonably believe he's innocent now.
here isn't another emerald bracelet | I
Ike that In the world. Detectives {
ound 1t In Mr.. Abbott's possession. {
10 doesn't deny It; he can't"
But they didn't find the ruby and ,
whatever 1t was you lost at the Aber. 7
ombies,'" I protested.
"A sapphire and a diamond brace. :
et." she sighed. 9
"And before that? He's shielding
ONE one," I burst out. II know II: ! t
eel sure Of It,"
Who"
l shook my head. Every time I r
Red to conjecture I brought up q
gainst a blank wall. =
"Mr. crowninshield will surely O
,ake him tell-will find a way" | de- v
Jared. That's what a LAWYER ia FIR q
'nyhow, he didn't have anything to Il
o with the ruby" chung to that t
HE was at home. Laura I
eiephoned. and he answered" y
don't want to think of It any o
lore" Natalie drawled. II don't un.
erstand 1t and I'm not trying to. I'm /,
OF going to sleep tonight If I can v
elp It; shall sit here all night with d
ne hight on my remaining trinkets in Il
~ lap, grasped firmly-so! In the d
forming shall go to town and lock +,
aem In safety deposit; then I'm 90. f
lg TO Europe. unless have to stay n
ere about the frial w.