Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-08-27

"StoIen!" Mrs. RheinhoIdt Shrieked.
had admitted Craig, take Professor
Ashleigh's servant into the kitchen
and see that he has something before
he leaves for home. Now, professor,
il 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.
TT is a 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 politeness.
AS the first case opened, however, his
manner completely changed. Without
taking the slightest further notice of
his hostess, he adjusted 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 word of
which she understood, concerning a
green beetle with yellow spots.
81 am so glad you are interested,
professor she said. IF you don't
mind, I will Fejoin my guests. You
will find shorter way back if 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 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
| marked. "She told me-"
The young man broke off in tbs
J middle of his sentence. He, too, like
den thrill almost of horror at the
sound which rang without warning
upon their ears-a woman's cry,
cry of fear and horror Mrs. Rhein
holdt. her hands clasping her neck
her splendid composure a thing o.
the past, panic-stricken, terrified
woman, stumbled into the room. Sht
seemed on the point of collapse
Somehow or other, they got her int
an easy chair.
my jeweIs!" she cried. "My dia
monds!"
what do you mean, mother?' Phil
lip Rheinholdt asked quickly. 'Hav'
you lost them?"
"Stolen!' Mrs. Rheinholdt shrieked
"Stolen there in the conservatory"
They gazed at her open-mouthed, in
credulous. Then still, quiet voic
from the outside of the little circl
intervened.
Instruct your servants, Mr.. Rheir
holdt, tc lock and bar all the doors o
the house." the professor suggested
mo one must leave it until we hav
heard your mothers story"
} "I had just taken the professor int
the little room my husband used t
: call the museum" Mrs. Rheinhold
explained, her voice still shaking wit
agitation. 81 left him there to exam
, inc some specimens of beetles.
: thought that l would come bac
through the conservatory, which
the quickest way. 1 was about hal
way across it when suddenly l hear
. the switch go behind me and all th
electric lights were turned out.
couldn't imagine what had happene'
: While hesitated I saw"
She broke down again. There wa
] no doubt about the genuineness of he
j terror.
'T saw a pair of hands-just han6
mo arms-nothipg but hands-com
r out of the darkness! They grippe
me by the throat, l suppose it Wa
a Just for a second. I think-I lost CO.
r sciousness for a moment, although
was still standing up. The next thir
r l remember is that / found myse
a shrieking and running here-and Il
s jewels are gone!"
e "You saw no one?" her son askt
2 incredulously You heard nothing?
l 81 heard no footsteps, l saw no one
Mrs. Rheinholdt repeated. The pr
). fessor turned away.
It 'If you will allow me-" he begge
- 81 am going to telephone to my frien
o Mr. Sanford Quest, the criminologi: