New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-06-02
Z
The Window
at the
White Cat
By MARY ROBERTS
RiNEHART
Copyright, 1910, by Bobbs-Mer-
:
rill Co.

Aue luedl was over uudlly, DuC III i
had hoped for another word alone with
Margery Fleming that evening. l was
foredOomed to disappointment. Letitia
sent the girl, not urgently, to bed and
ordered Jane out of the room with a
single curt gesture toward the door.
you'd better wash those cups your
self. Jane" she said. Il don't see any
sense anyhow in getting out the best
china unless there's real company. Be-
sides, I'm going to talk business"
When the door had closed behind
her. Miss -Letitia listened for a mo-
ment, got up suddenly and, crossing
the room with amazing swiftness for
her years. bounced on the knob and
threw it open again. But the passage
was empty: Miss James slim little fig
ure was disappearing into the kitchen.
Il didn't want to see you about the
will, Mr.. Knox," the older sister began.
1.-THE will can wait. l amt going to
die just yet-not if l know anything.
But although l think you'd look a
heap better and more responsible if
you wore some hair on your face. still
in most things think you're man Of
sense. And you're not too young.
That's why l didn't send for Harry
Wardrop. He's too young"
l WINGED at that. Miss Letitia leaned
forward and put her bony hand on my
knee.
1--WE been robbed" she announced in
a half whisper.
"Indeed!' l said. properly thunder
struck. had always believed that only
the use of the fourth dimension in
space would enable any one not de-
sired to gain access to the Maitland
house.
mot the pearls?" asked
She answered my question with an
other. -
when you had those pearls ap-
praised for me at the jewelers. last
year. how many were there?"
~ mot quite a hundred. l think-yes.
ninety-eight."
Exactly" she corroborated,. in tri,
umph. "They belonged to my mother.
Margery's mother got some of them.
That's a good many years ago, young
man. They are worth more than they
were then-a great deal more"
- "Twenty-two thousand dollars" re-
peated. "You remember, Miss Letitia.
that I protested vigorously at the time
against your keeping them in the
house." IT, /, F:gsssxsss7ssr--.- :
: Miss 1etitia ignored this, but before
she went on she repeated again her
catlike bouncing at the door, only to
find the hall empty. as before.
r esterday morning." she said grave
1y. ~ got down the box-they have al
ways been kept in the small safe in the
top Of my closet. When Jane found a
picture of my niece, Margery Fleming.
in Harry's room l thought it likely
there was some truth in the gossip
Jane heard about the two; and, if
there was going to be wedding, why
the pearls were to go to Margery any
how. But found the door of the safe
unlocked and a little bit open. and ten
of the pearls were gonev' =
"Gone!' echoed. IF ten, why not
the WQOle n1nety-elghtV'
How do know?" she replied. with
asperity. That's what 1 keep a law
yer for"
But you need a detective" cried.
Il will not have the police" she per-
sisted infexibly. "They will come
around asking impertinent questions
and telling the newspapers that fool
fish old woman had got what she de-
served"
Then you are going to send them to
a bank"
You have less sense than thought, -
she snapped. II am going to leave
them where they are and watch. Who.
ever took the ten will be back for
more. mark my words"
II don't advise it." said decidedly.
''Stuff and nonsensev' the old lady
said, with spirit.
'Then-what do you want me to do p
asked. Have Bella arrested and her
trunk searched?"
Her trunk" she said scornfully. II
turned it inside out this morning. I
want you to stay here for three or four
nights. When catch the thief I want
my lawyers right BY"
1t ended by my consenting, of course.
Miss Letitia was seldom refused. Lit.
tie Miss Jane lighted me to the door OF
the guest room. Her thin gray curls
bobbed as she examined tie water
pitcher, saw to the towels and felt the
bed linen for dampnessi At the door
she turned around timidly.
"Has-anything happened to disturb
my sister" she asked. "She-has been
almost irritable all day."
'She is worried about her colored
orphans" I evaded "She does not ap.
prove Of fireworks for them on the
Fourth Of July"
put out the light and sat down
near the window, With my cigar and
my thoughts. r had finished my sec.
oad cigar. There was q sound Of FUN.
bling at one Of the shutters { below
With Miss Letitia's story 81 Tie n3eafil