Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-04-21

"stolen!" Mrs. Rhelnholdt Shrleked.
had admitted Craig. take Professor
Ashleigh's servant into the kitchen
and see that he has something before
he leaves for home Now. professor,
If 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 a queer little place 20 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 politeness.
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 little
stream of eulogies, not a word of
which she underrtood. concerning n
green beetle with yellow spots
81 am so glad you are interested,
professor" she said, III you don't
mind. will rejoin my guests. You
will find shorter way back IL you
keep along the passage straight ahead
and come through the conservatory.
Certainly, With pleasure," the
professor agreed, without glancing up.
Mrs Rheinholdt's reception, not
withstanding the temporary absence
of its 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.
~ wonder where mother is?" he re-
marked "She told me-
The young man broke OF in the
middle Of his sentence. He. too. like
many others in the room, felt 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 rsck,
her splendid composure 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 jewe1s" she cried. MY dia-
mondsl"
what do you mean, mother" Phil
lip Rheinholdt asked quickly. Have
you lost them"
"Stolen!" Mrs. Rnesnholdt shrieked.
"Stolen there in the conservatory"
They gazed at her open-mouthed, in
credulous. Then a still, quiet voice
from the outside of the little circle
interviewed.
Instruct your servants, Mr.. Rhein-
holdt. ~ lock and bar all the doors of
the house" the professor suggested
mo one must leave it until we have
heard your mothers story
81 had Just taken tbe professor into
the little room nv husband used to
call the museum" AIRS. Rheinholdt
explained, her voice still shaking with
agitation. y left him there to exam
inc some specimens of beetles. l
thought tnat would come back
through the conservatory. which is
the quickest way. was about half
way across It when suddenly l heard
the switch go behind me and all the
electric lights were turned out. l
couldn't imagine what had happened.
While l hesitated I saw"
She broke down again. There was
no doubt about the genuineness of her
terror.
ct saw a pair Of hands-just fands
no arms-nothing but Handsome
out of the darknessl They gripped
me by the throat, I suppose it was
Just for a second. / Think lost con-
seriousness for a moment. although
was still standing up. The next thing
I remember is that found myself
shrieking and running here-and the
jewels are gone!"
you saw no one?" her son asked
incredulously. you heard nothing"
81 heard no footsteps, 1 saw no one"
Mrs. Rheinholdt repeated. The pro-
fessor turned away.
eff you will allow nc" he begged,
81 am going to telephone to my friend,
Mr.. Sanford Quest, the criminoIogist.
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