The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-04-15

"Stolenl" Mrs. RheRholdt Shrieked.
had admitted Craig, take Professor
Ashieigh's servant into the kitchen
and see that he has something before
he leaves for home. Now, professor,
II you will come this way"
They reached a little room in the
far corner of the house. Mrs, Rhein'
holdt apologized as she switched on
the electric lights.
1T is n queer little place to bring
you to- she said, "but my husband
used to spend many hours here, and
he would never allow anything to be
moved. You see, the specimens are in
these cases"
The professor nodded. His general
attitude toward the forthcoming eX,
hibition was merely one Of p~oliteness,
AS the first case opened, however, his
manner completely changed. Without
taking the slightest further notice OF
his hostess, he adjusted a pair of horn
trimmed spectacles and commenced to
humble eagerly to himself. Mrs
Rheinholdt, who did not understand a
word, strolled around the apartment,
yawned and finally interrupted a little
stream OF eulogies, not a word of
which she understood, concerning a
green beetle with yellow spots.
II am so glad you are interested,
professor" she said. "If you don't
mind, / will rejoin my guests. You
will find a shorter way back If you
keep along the passage straight ahead
and come through the conservatory"
Certainly! With p~leasure!" the
professor agreed, without glancing up.
Mrs. Rheinholdt's reception, not
withstanding the temporary absence
of it's presiding spirit, was without
doubt an unqualified success. In one
of the distant rooms the younger peo-
pie were dancing. Philip Rheinholdt,
with a pretty young debutante upon
his arm, came out from the dancing
room and looked around amongst the
little knots of people.
81 wonder where mother is?" he re-
uldIhGu. ouG IOlu hJC
The young man broke off in the
middle Of his sentence. He, too, like
many others in the room, felt a sud
den thrill almost of horror at the
sound which rang without warning
upon their ears-a woman's cry, a
cry of fear and horror. Mrs. Rhein'
holdt, her hands clasping her neck
her splendid composure a thing OF
the past, a panic-stricken, terrified
woman, stumbled into the room. She
seemed on the point of collapse
Somehow or other, they got her into
an easy chair.
"My jeweIs!" she cried. MY dia
monds!"
what do you mean, MOTHER" Phil
lip Rheinholdt asked quickly. "Have
you lost them?"
"Stolen!" Mrs. Rheinholdt shrieked
"Stolen there in the conservatory"
They gazed at her open-mouthcd, in
credulous. Then a still. quiet voice
from the outside of the little circle
interviewed.
Instruct your servants, Mr.. Rhein'
holdt. to lock and bar all the doors OF
the house." the professor suggested
mo one must leave 1t until we have
heard your mothers story"
II had Just taken the professor into
the little room my husband used to
call the museum" Mrs. Rheinholdt
explained, her voice still shaking with
agitation. Il left him there to exam
inc some specimens Of beetles. ]
thought that I would come back
through the conservatory, which is
the quickest way. I was about halt
way across 1t when suddenly l heard
the switch 60 behind me and all the
electric lights were turned out.
couldn't imagine what had happened
While / hesitated / saw"
She broke down again. There was
no doubt about the genuineness Of heI
terror.
II saw q pair Of hands-just hands
-no arms-nothing but handsome
out OF the darkness! They Clipped
me BY the throat, I suppose It was
lust for : second. / think-I lost con
vciousness for . moment. although
va stiII standing up. The next thinl
II remember II that I found myself
rhriek1ng and running here-and thu
Jewels are gone!"
You paw 10 onel" her soa asked
Groduloux1y. you heard nothingi"
= heord 10 fpotsteps. ! saw no one
|1fImI nhoI1hol1t rspeated. The pro
~ = IN nl1om ~. 40 begged
I'D 100 W - 70 my friend