The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-04
Who Stole
The Jewels?
By EUNIcE BLAKE


tain Jewels belonging to Mrs. Follans-
bee were missing. They had not all
disappeared ut once, but one at time.
This indicated that they were being
taken by some one within the house.
Mr.. FoIansbee had talk with his
son Ned about the matter and accused
Miss Winters, the governess. Ned IN
dignantly denied the charge on behalf
of the girl He did not make scene,
for he realized that since Miss Winters
was suspected she must be exculpated.
After the first hot words between IA
Their and son II was agreed between
them that neither should say anything
about her being suspected.
This conversation occurred after
valuable bracelet had been missed from
safe built into the wall for the stor-
age of silver plate and jewels. Inc
only persons in the house who had nc
cess to the key Of the safe were Mr.
and Mrs. Follansbee. Mr.. Follansbee
was a nervous man and occupied
sleeping room by himself. When the
Jewels began to disappear he was
keeping the key and suspected that
some one had stolen 1t from bis room
when he was asleep, for he put 1t I'M
der his pillow with his watch every
night when he went to bed.
1t was agreed between the father and
son that they should watch alternate
nights for awhile with view to SOW
ing the mystery; but, finding this more
wearisome than dividing the night be-
tween them. they changed to the latter
plan. Mr.. Follansbee watched from
bedtime till 2 in the morning and Ned
from till daylight
Meanwhile they were both very care
full to conceal their vigils from the
rest OF the family, especially MISS
Winters. Ned had perfect confidence
in her innocence and had no difficulty
In treating her as he had always done.
AS for Mr.. Follansbee, he saw very
little of her, and there seemed to be
no occasion for his betraying his sus-
picions.
There were several servants in the
house-a cook. housemald and a
chauffeur Ned suspected the house
maid, she having access to every part
OF the house at all times. He had ey-
cry confidence that by careful watch
ing she would turn out TO be the thief.
The only puzzling feature to him was
how she opened the safe. But he ac-
counted for this on the supposition that
she had taken away wax impression
of the lock and had pal who had
made key from II. For the safe was
a very old fashioned AFFAIR put in be-
fore the day OF combination locks.
The watchfulness OF the two Fol-
lansbees was not attended with sue
cess. one night the maid was discov-
cred by Follansbee Junior In the kiteh-
en- at 3 o'clock in the morning. Ned
was sure this gave him a clew. He
kept I'm the dark and watched. The
girl lit the gas range and put on some
water TO be heated. then. dipping
cloth In IL, held the cloth to her cheek.
Evidently IL was case OF toothache.
Not long after this the maid returned
10 her room.
The incident put a damper on Nefs
suspicious OF her, and a pang shot
through him as he remembered that
Miss Winters was the only other per
son, besides the members Of the fam
fly. that had the run Of the house.
The watch had continued ten days.
and the mystery was still unsolyed.
No Jewels had disappeared during this
interval. Mr.. Follansbee was sure that
Miss Winters was the thief because
she was a very bright woman and
there was no one else about who had
the ability 10 steal the Jewels and es-
cape detection. Ned was respondent
because he could not prove Miss Win
tiers 20 be innocent The father gave
up his watch. while Ned concluded 20
keep up bis for a few days longer be
tween bedtime and daylight. which.
since Il was spring, came early.
one night between y and ] O'Clock
be was sitting IN the library, where he
could hear a sound IN any part Of the
house. Ellis vigils had deprived him OF
a good deal OF sleep. and be was IN
able to keep awake. There was no
light IN the room. A. he was dropping
on into a doze he felt a hand grasp bis
arm. Opening his eyes. by the light Of
q street lamp he saw Miss Winters.
Come quickf~ she said. and without
waiting FOR a reply led him 20 the hail
on the second story. where she stopped
and listened.
Ned beard some one moving 81 the
other end o. the hall Presently there
vas q sound ike something striking
metal Then Miss Winters. stin hold.
inr his wrist. led him toward the other
end o. the hail He could see nothing.
but beard tire safe door Open. Miss
winters reached above her bed and
turned On an electric light
Tbe-e before the open safe stood Mr..
Folisustee
Miss winters. feeling q SILVER run
through the arm she bed. Whispered.
Hes ssipepf-
TIE ruvNterr YES solved ans ~ ire
saraan vh8 vas suETlscted - baiEE the
ihlsf. Miss winters haf seen fhrouTh
ne rs1 nat her lover taf fhrewn ever
ffruau1f end hsa dans mere vsfeblnz
~ - lefst 90 better eFert thtr fhs
ransrrf.ars she he'd flscrfnreH NJ
rauaust.es w-nuirr in Ms sisan sus
uuvnaas~s hir,. fut sria uofhlnn pre
sar~anr e. clbch her Statement ~