The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-12
Who Stole It?
By CLARISSA MACKIE

left him alone in his old age. There
was but one person to inherit his
/ wealth. grandson. and the young man
found it irksome to wait until he
should step into his grandfather's shoes.
Mr.. Donnay. senior, had fad which
interested him at time of life when
activity did not In the upper part Of
his house was 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..
I, Donnay." said Simpson. 1.-THE amber
necklace has been taken from its case
In the museum"
Mr.. Donnays brow darkened
And the diamond pendant has gone
with it,
Mr.. Donnay did not hasten to reply.
but when he did he said: "Well, Simp-
son, 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.
1t was 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 u
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..
Donnay?"
1T is very pressing matter" said
the other. drawing 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 know?" He
laughed in an embarrassed manner.
Doesn't like to see young fellow
enjoy life, eh?" 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 whisper
"It's about q necklace-an amber neck
lace of great value. 1t has been in
the Donnay family for many genera
lions, and, aside from the fact that II
is made up of 100 carved beads of pure
amber. there Is a pendant which is al
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 light blue eyes wore a frightened
expression.
"Who told you that?' he demanded.
Il surmised It. Please go 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 of the house
Last night 1t was intact in its case
This morning my grandfather appeared
at the breakfast table much agitated
saving that the amber necklace had
disappeared and there was no sign OF
burglary. You see. it places me In
very unpleasant position"
"WhyT
Because only yesterday had asked
nv grandfather to help me out OF a
grave financial difficulty. He refused
His natural inference is that | helped
myself to the necklace
"He cannot have a 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 is your theoryT" asked
George Harley. fastening his keen eyes
on the others face. do you believe
II was an inside jobT"
Eyes; l am sure that | can lay my
hand on the guilty man. 1t is grand
fathers valet. Simpson. an Englishman
who has been with him for many years
"a sly rascal. believe me, sirg' Young
Donnay spoke vindictively.
..c.s.,,neo,, &c still In the h0uSpy'