Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1915-05-14

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 a word OF
which she understood concerning a
green beetle with yellow spots.
81 am SO glad you are interested,
professor" she said III you don't
mind, will reioin 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 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.
II 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 womans cry, a
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 into
an easy chair.
my ieweIs," she cried. my dla-
monds!"
"What do YOU mean. mother" Phil
lin Rheinholdt asked quickly. Have
you lost them"
stolen" Mrs Rheinholdt shrieked
"StoIen there in the conservatory
They gazcd at her openmouthed, in
credulous Then still, quiet voice
from the outside of the little circle
interviewed
"Instrnct your servants, Mr. Rhein-
holdt, to lock and bar all the doors OF
the house" the professor suggested
mo one must leave 1t until we have
heard your mothers story"
Il had Just taken the professor into
the little room my husband used to
call the museum Mrs. Rheinholdt
explained, her voice still shaking with
agitation. 81 left him there to exam
iue some specimens Of beetles. |
thought that | would come back
through the conservatory, which is
the quickest way ! was about half
way across It when suddenly ] heard
the switch go behind me and all the
electric lights were turned ont !
couldn't imagine what had happened.
While | hesitated | saw"
She broke down again There was
no doubt about the genuneness OF her
terror.
81 saw pair of hands Just hands
nc arms nothing but hands come
out Of the darkness They gripped
me by the throat, suppose 1t was
inst for a second | Think lost con-
seriousness for a moment, although
WA still standing up. The next thing
| 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?
Il heard no footsteps, saw no one,
Mrs Rheinholdt repeated. The pro
lessor turned away.
III you will allow me" he begged
~ am going to telephone to my friend
Mr.. Sanford Quest. the criminologist
An affair So unusual as this might at
tract him. You will excuse ne.
The professor met the great Grimm
Ologist and his assistant In the hal
upon their arrival He took the for
mer at once by the arm.
.n, o....u - L.,.., 49, a papaf