Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-05-13


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 little room in the
far corner Of the house. Mrs. Rhein
holdt apologized as she switched on
the electric lights.
1T is 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 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 pleasure!" the
professor agreed, without glancing up.
Mrs. Rheinholdts 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 PEG
pie were dancing. Philip Rheinholdt
with a pretty young debutante upor
his arm, came out from the dancing
room and looked around amongst the
little knots of people.
Il wonder where mother is?" he re
marked. "She told me-"
The young man broke off 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, q
cry OF fear and horror. Mrs. Rhein
holdt, her hands clasping her neck
her splendid composure a thing Of
| the past, panic-stricken, terrified
woman, stumbled into the room. She
seemed on the point Of collapse
| Somehow or other. they got her int
an easy chair.
my jewels!" she cried. "My dia
monds!"
what do you mean, mother?" Phil
lip Rheinholdt asked quickly. Have
you lost them?'
"Stolen!" Ms. Rheinholdt shrieked
"Stolen there in the conservatory"
They gazed at her open-mouthed, In
credulous. Then still, quiet voice
from the outside OF the little circle
interviewed.
Instruct your servants, Mr.. Rhein
holdt, to lock and bar all the doors o.
the house." the professor suggested
mo one must leave 1t until We have
heard your mothers story"
81 had Just taken the professor into
the little room my husband used t.
call the museum" Mrs. Rheinhold'
explained, her voice still shaking witt
agitation. II left him there to exam
inc some specimens of beetles.
thought that ! would come bacl
through the conservatory, which II
the quickest way. ! was about hal
way across 1t when suddenly ! heard
the switch go behind me and all thu
electric lights were turned out
couldn't imagine what had happened
While hesitated / saw"
She broke down again. There wa!
no doubt about the genuineness of hel
| terror.
81 saw a pair of hands-just hands
no arms-nothing but hands-com'
out of the darkness! They grippet
me by the throat, suppose 1t wal
Just for a second. think-I lost con
seriousness for a moment, although
was still standing up. The next thint
I remember Is that found mysel
shrieking and running here-and thu
jewels are gone!"
"You saw no one?" her son aske'
incredulously. You heard nothing?
81 heard no footsteps, ! saw no one,
Mrs. Rheinholdt repeated. The pro
fessor turned away.
"If you will allow me-" he begged
81 am going to telephone to my friend
Mr.. Sanford Quest, the criminologist