The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-03-04
ceiye the hrst arrivals.

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 a 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 slim, dark
haired man in correct evening attire
as the detective, Mr.. Bleek. and in q
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. ''The Max
fields are above suspicion. Eugenia
could buy forty ruby necklaces. Your
father-ai~urd, 1t must have been
one Of the extra servants"
"Jeanne2" asked her husband quietly.
"Oh, Jeanne is too much of a COW
ard to attempt anything big like that
She might purloin a colIar-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 gesture of dismay and
searched the room with her eyes.
Nine. 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. and she is
SO delightful. wonder where she Ia.
! have not seen her since dinner"
Il will search for her, said Dick
quietly and was gone.
When he made his temperance the
last of the guests were taking depar-
ture. and when they were alone he
placed his arm around his wife's slen-
der form.
Dear" he said. 'be prepared for an
unpleasant shock The ruby necklace
has been traced to Nine. Geulot De-
tecttve Bleek found the jewel case on
the person of our cook, Pierre Caron.
who has confessed that the robbery
was one Of many that he and his wife,
Celeste Geulot-none other, my dear
had planned. 1t 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,
secured the rubies. concealed them in
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 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. Will you go to her room
and see If she is there? l want to
avoid the servants knowing Of the af-
fair If possible"
Edith went to the door of Mime. Geu-
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 Palmers followed,
gravely apprehensive.
Nine. Geulot was there. She was
sitting before 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 1t
closely. That's the way with many
Of these Asiatic baubles," he said
thoughtfully. 81 happen to have heard
of this one before. There is large re-
ward out for 1t. There is a legend that
II it is honestly bought or sold or pre-
scented as gift it is quite harmless
II 1t Is stolen the wearer pays the
price, as Nine Geulot has done, poor
soulp
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 as they went away
and closed the door behind them.
That's an Asiatic trick, too" he said.
But Edith and her husband were not
listening. Edith was weeping bitterly.
She was grieying for the friend who
had proved false and who had paid the
price.