The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-13

OF! It isn't everyone who can wear such for.
tune al that around her neckF
Perhaps everyone doesn't want TO-" said
Mary, icily.
And her eyes went back to the Jewels time
and again, throughout the dinner, and later, when
dancing began The great main saloon had en-.
closed part of the deck. too, for those who
wanted air. And in the brilliant confusion of the
scene no one Mona stealthily appropriate
tiara from one dancer; a jeweled ornament OF an.
other sort from another.
Here" said Mona. She had come straight
from the dancing floor with her booty wrapped in
q handkerchief; she handed it to Jones, who was
waiting for her in the empty and deserted cor.
ridor near the stateroom in which he was sup
posed to be trying to find relief from his head
ache in sleep.
Good grill" said Jones, taking it eagerly.
That's the part that has worried me most I
was afraid would be caught in the act-and we
would have had frightfully difficult time in ex.
planning that"
I was frightened myself. said Mona "But
] failed with Mr.. Xw
Hurry back--you> mustn't risk any delay,
said Jones. "I'l be waiting anxiously."
AS Mona went back she unfastened her neck.
lace and held it in her hand. Her brief absence
had not been noticed she found a partner wait
ing eagerly for her, and swept into the maze
OF dancers at once. As she passed Mary, dancing
with the purser. she nodded slightly, and mo.
against her. In the momentary contact Mona
slipped her necklace into Mary's corsage.
And five minutes later, as she passed mir
TOR, she screamed suddenly
Instantly every in the room felt for
her own 1ewelry. and two more added their out.
cry to Mona's.
"Ladies-be calmw said the captain. He had
stopped the music; he spoke quietly, but sternly.
REST assured that IL is impossible for you to lose
your property on this ship The thief cannot get
away shall ask everyone present te sahn,,., tea
search-suspecting one, but thus giving the
innocent certain way to prove their innocence I.
No one objected; to do would have seemed
like confession of guilt. Men and women di.
vided to submit to the search. And Mona's neck.
lace was found when Mary's turn came!
"There-theres some horrible mistaken
gasped Mary. II never took il How can anyone
suspect me of such a thing?"
She burst into historical sobbing. Shelley
Indignantly took her part some one, he insisted,
must have played trick on Mary. But the cap
tain brushed aside their protests he spoke sterniy
and with the weight of authority. to the purser
Il cannot go behind the evidence" he said,
gravely. The young woman must be confined in
her cabin until we land; it will then be matter
for the attention of the shore police"
This is my necklace-but where arc the
other jewels that were taken?" asked Mona. She
was following the captain and Shelley, who were
escorting Mary to her cabin.
And then, in the corridor. they encountered
Jones, who appeared. coatless, and showing evil
dence OF having been asleep He demanded
PLANTATION OF the oud scene from shelley. And
when he had it he looked grave.
Perhaps may be able to throw some light
on this terrible affair, captSn" he said. Il think
s.o1 have made r. terrible Missy KEY %
Il cannot admit that, Mr. Jones - said the
captain. But ! shall be glad to hear what you
have to tell"
1T will not take long. captain. As you know,
] was unable to attend the dinner on account OF
n severe headache-which is only just beginning
to yield to the doctors medicine. During the
evening l lay in my berth. with my door open,
and my light out l Mr. Armstrong, as he
calls himself, go into his room-frst looking about
TO make sure that he not observed This
aroused my curiosity and looked in upon him
He thought, suppose, that my room empty
/ saw him take some jewels-a tiara and some
other ornaments-from his pocket and place them
in his safe !"
II knew 1t !" cried Mary, historically HE
must have placed that necklace on me to throw
suspicion against mel"
THAT is very serious charge" said the
captain.
You prove its truth by having the safe
opened-the f>urser, here. has the combination /
understand" said Jones. "Captain-suppose you
stay here with Miss Barnett. Let Mr.. Shelley and
Miss Hartley, of the victims. examine tho
safe. I will undertake to keep Mr.. Armstrong
away"
The captain hesitated, but yielded. in the
end. And now Jones co,ertly returned the Jewels
to Mona, and she held them as she went with the
purser to the of Mr. X. He knelt by the
safe; just as she heard the tumblers fall at the
opening Mona cried out
Someone is coming-Mr. Armstrong, I'm
afraid :"
Shelly rushed to the door, and peered out. In
moment Mona reached the safe, drew out
package OF papers and threw in the jewels. And
when the purser came back only the jewels were
in the safe HIS delight knew no bounds. He
rushed OFF at once to carry the good news to
Mary And Mona, at Jones' door, knocked. At
once he reached out his hand and took the plans
and she heard the striking of match. A
minute would be enough to burn the drawing
that. in the hands OF hostile power, might have
worked incalculable injury to the United Statesi
Tie captain was profuse in his apologies "a
Mary. And she assailed Mr. X, for whom
steward had been sent, with the uttermost bitter.
ness.
This is-madnessw he burst out angrily
ITO accuse me OF crime-of vulgar theft
You say the jewels were placed in my safei
will dsprove that by opening it before your
eyes!" @
1T has been opened already, sir" said thu
captain THE jewels were found!"
by whom" asked Mr.. X, his face pale z--7-
by my purser, strand by this lady, one Of
your intended victims"
And then. as he looked at Mona. a look Of