Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1916-01-27

had admitted Craig. take Professor
Ashleigh's servant into the kitchen
and see that he has something before
he leaves for home. Now. professor,
IL you will come this way"
They reached a little room in the
far corner Of the house. Mrs. Rhein-
holdt apologized as she switched on
the electric lights.
1T is a queer little place to bring
you to- she said. but my husband
used to spend many hours here. and
he would never allow anything to be
moved. You see. the specimens are in
these cases"
The professor nodded. His general
attitude toward the forthcoming eX.
hibition was merely II OF politeness.
AS the first case opened, however, his
amer completely changed. Without
taking the slightest further notice OF
his hostess, he adjusted a 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 a little
stream OF eulogies, not a word OF
which she understood. concerning a
green beetle with yellow spots.
II am so glad you are interested.
professor" she said. IF you don't
mind, l will rejoin my guests. You
will find a shorter way back II you
keep along the passage straight ahead
and come through the conservatory"
Certainly! With pleasure!" the
professor agreed, without %glancing up.
Mrs. Rheinholdt's reception. not.
withstanding the temporary absence
of its presiding spirit, was without
doubt an unqualified success. In n
Of the distant rooms the younger peo'
Pile were dancing. Philip Rheinholdt,
with a pretty young d%ebutante upon
his arm, came out from the dancing
room and looked around amongst the
little knots of people.
II wonder where mother Isl" 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 a sud
den thrill almost of horror at the
sound which rang without warning
upon their ears-a woman's cry. a
cry of fear and horror. Mrs. Rhein-
holdt. her hands clasping her neck,
her splendid composure a thing OF
the past. a 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 jewels" she cried. "idy dia'
monds!"
What do you mean. nother?' Phil
lip Rheinholdt asked quickly. "Have
you lost them?"
"Stolen," Mrs. Rheinholdt shrieked,
"Stolen there in the conservatory!"
They gazed at her open-mouthed. in
credulous. Then a still. quiet voice
from the outside of the little circle
interviewed.
Instruct 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"
81 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
inc some specimens OF beetles. l
thought that I would come back
through the conservatory. which Is
the quickest way. ] was about halr
way across it when suddenly l heard
the switch 20 behind me and all the
electric lights were turned out. |
couldn't imagine what had happened.
While I hesitated I saw
She broke down again. There was
no doubt about the genuineness OF her
terror.
II saw a pair Of hands-just hands
no arms-nothing but hands-come
out Of the darkness! They gripped
me by the throat. I suppose it was
lust for a second. I Think lost con-
seriousness for a moment, although I
was still standing up. The next thing
I remember is that I found myself
shrieking and running here-and the
Jewels are gone!"
you saw no one?" her son asked
incredulously. "You heard nothing?"
II heard no footsteps. I saw no one"
Mrs. Rheinholdt repeated. The pro-
fessor turned away.
"If you will allow me-" he begged,
81 am going to telephone to my friend,
Mr.. Sanford Quest, the c~riminologist.