The Washington herald., 1914-07-19
"Noww cried Rawson.


gor Of bells fit to wake the dead in re-
sponse to the pressure of an electric
tire call on the side wall, and from be-
hind and before, seemingly oozing out
OF all sorts of places of concealment, a
dozen burly porters appeared, complete
ly blocking the way of his lordship and
the captain, while Rawson covered them
with his revolver.
Fine work, gentlemen" said the man.
ager calmly, but trife too raw for u.s."
Courtleigh placed the Jewel box on
the counter and lit cigarette. Stanhope
stood immovable, while numerous guests,
aroused by the Changing OF the bells and
fearing FIRE, came trooping down the
stairs. Among the latter was Mrs. Lar
rabee-Williams, rather strangely clad,
but in full possession not only of her
faculties, but of her blond wig as well.
The latter was not on quite straight, but
the marvel Of it was that it was there at
all.
What on earth is il all about" she
cried, as she perceived the group stand
ing about the counter
Your jewel box seems to be the chief
object OF interest, Mrs. Lsrrabee-Wil-
Hams said Rawson. Our friend, Lord
Courtleigh-why. by, the way, the last
time saw him was a guest of the Ritz
Sing-Sing on the Hudson, registered un-
der the name OF Red Harrigan-and his
friend, Capt. Stanhope-also a favorite
guest at such hotels as Moyamensing,
Thomaston. and Joliet, where it pleases
him to register under a number, as if
he were merely an automobile
not sleep for thinking OF the danger to
your Jewels. So, some twenty minutes
ago, fearing the safe was unsafe, they
came down TO get them, to take care of
them for you, first having drugged the
night clerk lest he should be tempted to
run off with them before they could get
here"
"Oh, dear me-what a joke" cried
the lady.
Rawson frowned impatiently.
"Mr. Rawson is perfectly right. Mrs.
Larrabee-Whliams, said Lord Court
leigh. Capt. Stanhope and l had in
tended to remove your jewels from
place OF real danger. Unfortunately We
were interrupted let me restore tho
missing objects to you"
Courtieigh, with a good deal of man
ner, opened the box as he extended it
toward Mrs. Williams. 1t was
empty, of course.
Empty" cried Mrs. Larrabee-Wil-
liams.
Yes" said Rawson. Empty. We
did not care to take any chances, Mrs.
Larrabee- Williams. and so have placed
the Jewels in a safe place. They are in
my possession, and will restore them
to you at once"
Rawson rushed above to his room for
the Jewels, while We all waited in deep
silence, and then came the astounding
denouement Scarce two minutes had
elapsed when Rawson, his face white as
sheet and his hands trembling as with
palsy. returned
They are gone" he cried
"Gug-gone: stammered the manager.
his face turning green.
Gone completely" said Rawson.
dropping inert into a chair. while Court
leigh and Stanhope grinned most un-
kindly.
oh, well, what's the use OF losing
sleep over S2c worth of jewelr,." said
Mrs. Larrabee-Williams. I'm going to
bed
twenty-five dollars worth OF Jew
elry" gasped the manager.
Why. yes. Mr.. Farren," said Mrs.
Larrabee-Williams. They were only
paste. You don't suppose Id be foolish
enough to wear real stones in a summer
hotel like this, do you'"
And with that the lady went laughing
up the stairs.
The next morning. after Lord Court
leigh and Capt Stanhope had been
transferred from the Riviera TO the
county jail, Rawson and I went for a
walk.
Jack" said he, as we paced slowly
along the marginal way never again
shall attempt to educate a woman.
Women are the only premises in the
logic OF the universe upon which accu-
rate conclusions may not be based. the
sole exceptions to that otherwise cast
iron rule that two and two make four"
"Oh, don't give up, Billie" | laughed
The fact that her Jewels were paste
don't alter the fact that they vanished.
She got the lesson all right. but who do
YOU suppose got the Jewels anyhow"
That's Just the point. hang it"
growled Rawson. "She has 'em her
self. | sneaked into her room and put
EN- in her bureau drawer while the rest