The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-01
Who Stole It?

Z Who Stole II? {
Is By QARISSA MACKIE !
NN~NN~~~NNNNNr>>>>N>>>>~>1
Mr.. william Donnay sat In his study
reading. He was an old gentleman
very rich and lived in elegant style
All his immediate family had died and
left him alone In his old age. There
was but one person to inherit his
wealth. a grandson. and the young man
found 1t irlksome to wait until he
should step into his grandfather's shoes
Mr.. Donnay. senior, had a fad which
interested him at time Of life when
activity did not In the upper part Of
his house was a large room in which
were stored many and varied curios.
There were relics Of war. pottery that
had been dug up by archaeologists
after having been buried some 1000 or
5000 years. There were Egyptian Or
naments and one mummy. Jewels that
had decorated the person Of some an
Gent princess were in cases. and even
those intrinsically valuable were ex.
posed to the clutches Of any one who
might take a fancy to them.
On this particular morning when Mr..
William Donnay sat reading in his
study there was a knock at the door
and his valet, Simpson, entered. Mr..
Donnay looked up inquiringly.
There's been more stealing, Mr..
Donnay," said Simpson. '"The amber
necklace has been taken from its case
in the museum
Mr.. Donnay's brow darkened.
"And the diamond pendant has gone
with It."
Mr.. Donnay did not hasten to reply,
but when he did he said: well, Eimp-
son, l presume l must investigate
these thefts. I'll see my lawyers and
learn what can be DONE"
Gerald Donnay had seen the valet
enter his grandfather's study and fol-
lowed him, stopping near enough to
the door, that had been left partly
open. to hear what was said When
he had heard It he hurried away to
his grandfather's attorneys.
It was 2 o'clock In the afternoon
when an Office boy admitted the young
man to the law Offices Of Harley &
Rogers, but 1t was long after 3 when
George Harley hurried in from court.
When the lawyer entered with a
brief nod Of greeting to the stranger
the youth came forward eagerly.
"Mr. Harley?" he inquired.
YES" returned the lawyer, admit.
ting the client to his private Office and
scanning the card which he found on
his desk. "You wished to see me, Mr..
DonnayT
1T Is very pressing matter" said
the other, drawing a chair close to
the desk and sitting down, "a matter
of the utmost secrecy"
"A case of private inquiry"
Something Of the sort. You see,
Mr.. Harley, live with my GRANDPA
Their, Colonel Donnay, and the old gen.
tleman is-er-rather eccentric-dread-
fully penurious, don't you known" He
laughed In an embarrassed manner.
Doesn't like to see young fellow
enjoy life, ehT questioned Harley.
That's It! Growls every time ask
for a check, and he seems to forget
that some day all the money will be
mine-unless he changes his will, and
he's apt to do that any moment"
"And the matter. about which you
wished to consult me?" suggested Har-
ley.
The young man grew paler, and his
voice dropped almost to a whisper.
tits about neckhce-an amber neck
lace Of great value 1t has been In
the Donnay family for many genera.
tons. and. aside from the fact that It
is made up of 100 carved beads Of pure
amber, there is a pendant which is a.
most priceless; it is a large canary
diamond" He paused and moistened
his dry lips.
"And the necklace has been stolen"
Gerald Donnay started violently, and
his tight blue eyes wore a frightened
expression.
'Who cold you thatT he demanded.
II surmised 1t. Please 60 on with
your story, Mr.. Donnay."
"Pardon me. Mr.. Harley; am much
upset by the whole occurrence. My
grandfather keeps the necklace In his
museum on the top floor Ct the house.
Last night It was intact in its case.
This morning my grandfather appeared
at the breakfast table much agitated.
saying that the amber necklace had
disappeared and there was no sign Of
burglary. You see, It places me in q
very unpleasant position"
Whyr
Because only yesterday had asked
my grandfather to help me out Of q
grave financial difncuity. He refused.
His natural inference Is that helped
myself to the necklace"
HE cannot have high opinion Of
your integrity" remarked the lawyer
bluntly.
HE hasn't In fact, he has more
than once unjustly accused me Of help
ing myself to various articles Of value
about the place"
"And what ia your theory?p asked