The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-01-04

4
/ asked him, CIT of clear sky. The
wrist itself was covered by its cuff
and sleeve end, but under them, knew
was the telltale mark.
| What scar, sir" he asked, his DO
likeness touched with an indulgent pa
tience which seemed to imply that he
was not altogether unused to facing
| gentlemen in uiaccountably high spirits.
This onep / said, catching his hand
in mine and running the cuff back along
the white forearm. Not one trace Of
| either alarm or resentment could
see on that indecipherable countenance.
l almost began to admire the man. In
his way he was superb.
| "Oh, that, sirp he exclaimed, with
an almost extensively condoning glance
at the Van Tuyls, as though inquiring
whether or not he should reply to a
| question so personal and at the same
time so out of place.
| Tell him where you got it, Will
kins,' said Beatrice Van Tuyl, so
| sharply that it amounted to a COM
mand.
Il got it stopping Lord Entristles
brougham, madam, in London, seven
years ago. was the quiet and unhesi-
| Eating answer.
And the coach glass cut your
| wrist" asked Van Tuyl.
"Yes, sir" replied the servant, NOV
about the table His figure. in its SOM
Der badge of livery, seemed almost a
pathetic one.
pleasant one. / felt almost grateful
L = L. a.
Felice In her hands she carried a
japanned tin box, about the size of
a theatrical makeup box. This she
placed on the table beside her mistress.
I rs there anything else, madam :"
she asked.
THAT is ALL" answered Beatrice Van
Tuyl as she threw back the lid of the
japanned box. l noticed that although
the key stood in II. it was unlocked.
Then my hostess looked up at the wait
ing butler. And. Wilkins, you can
leave the cigars and liqueur on the table.
I'll ring If | want anything
The carefully coiffured blond head
was bent low over the box as the sery-
ants stepped out of the room. The del
icate fingers probed through the array
of lcather-covercd cases. / could see
by her face, even before she spoke,
that the box's contents were intact.
You see" she said, ladling handful
after handful of glittering jewelry out
on the white tablecloth between her
coffee cup and mine, everything is
here. Those are my rings. There's the
dog collar. There's angel Jim's sun
burst. And here's the ordinary family
Junk"
| sat for a moment studying that
Oriental array of feminine adornment.
1t was plainly an array of evidence to
discountenance me. l felt a distinct
sense of relief when the woman in
blue suddenly dropped her eyes from
my face to her jewel box again. 1t
was Van Tuyrs persistent stare that
roweled me into final activity.
Then so far we're in luck! And as
from now on | want to be responsible
for what happens / said, as l reached
over and gathered the glittering mass
up in a table napkin. Il think it
will simplify things if you, Van Tuyl,
take possession OF these
tied the napkin securely together
and handed it to my wondering host
Then dropped silver bonbon dish
and a bunch OF dollhouse grapes into
the emptied box, locking it and hand
ing the key back to Beatrice Van Tuyl.
And now what must | dos' she
asked, with a new note OF seriousness.
Have the maid take the box back
to where it came from. But be so good
as to retain the key.
And then what: Knocked Van Tuyl
Then" cut in his wife, with a sud-
den note OF antagonism, which could
not account for, the sooner we send
for the police the better"
An answering note OF antagonism
showed on Van Tuyfs face.
Il tell you, Kerfoot, l can't do it."
he objected, even as his wife rang the
bell. You've got to show meT
Please be still. jim she said, as
Wilkins stepped into the room. She
turned an impassive face to the waiting
servant. will you ask Felice to come
here
None of US spoke until Felice en-
tered the room. Wilkins. ] noticed,
followed her in, but passed across the
rooms full length and went out BY
the door in the rear.
"Felice,' said the woman beside me.
very calmly and coolly, Il want you to
take this box back to the safe"
Yes, madam"
Then so to the telephone in the
study and ring up police headquarters.
Tell them who you arc. Then explain
that | want them to send an officer
here, at once"
"Yes, madam" answered the atten-
tive-faced maid.
"Fclice, YOU had better ask them to
send two men, two
Two plain clothes men," | prompted.
Yes, two plain clothes men. And
explain to them that they are to arrest
the man servant who opens the door
for them-at once, and without any
fuss. lis that quite cear?"
Yes, madam, quite clear" answered
the maid.
Then please hurry
yes, madam"
| looked up at Van Tuyrs audible
splutter of indignation.
Excuse me-" he cried, "but isn't all
this getting just a little highhanded?
Aren't We making things into a nice
mess for ourselves?
Il tell you, jim" l cried, with all
the earnestness at my comand, the |
mans thief. criminal with a GRIM
mails recordr'
Then prove it, demanded Jim.
Call him in and | will"
Van Tuyl made a motion for his |
wife to touch the bell.
Her slippered toe was still on the
h,,tto,, u,ber N,tlrtns en-