The Press., 1916-11-09

was dressing for a function calling for her most resplendent adornments she sent Lizette for her jewels. They were kept in safe set into the wall Mrs. Darlington and LiZette were the only two persons who knew this com 5ination. Lizette went to the safe. opened it, but when she looked in the box containing the jewels they were not there.
 Mrs. Darlington. hearing something fall and Lizette not returning with the jewels. went into the hallway and saw the girl lying in heap before the safe. Running to her, she picked up Lizette. who at the same time came to herself and looked with terrible distress at the empty jewel box lying on the floor beside her. Mrs. Darlington took iu the situation at once.
 The lady on this occasion exhibited great presence of mind. She closed the safe door and turned the combina- tion to lock it. Then she raised Lizette and supported her, taking the jewel box with her, to her own SDom and. locking the door. placed her on a lounge. No suspicion of Lizette was entertained, for she had evidently met with a surprise. She said that she had never given the combination of the safe to any one.
 Mrs. Darlington went to a telephone booth and rang up a detective agency, giving the chief brief statement of the case. He advised that the loss of the jewels be kept secret, and it was arranged that Mrs. Darlington should add to her staff of language in- structOrs a German. who should really be a detective. < household that she had become sud denly indisposed and kept her room, LiZette remaining with her. The next morning the mistress was relieved to learn that none of her servants had disappeared. After breakfast Profes-. sor SweitZer appeared, and 1t was an nounced that he would remain a short time in the house to ground Mrs. Car rington in the rudiments of the Ger man language.
 He bad private conversation with Lizette, and after it was finished told her mistress that she knew who had taken the jewels, but would not peach. The next item of news he gave his em- plOyer was that Blanca was man.
 Mrs. Darlington, as soon as she had recovered from her astOnishment, saw through the strange status between her two maids. The man had doubtless revealed himself to Lizette and had very likely made love to her. Both she and the detective felt sure that the so called Blanca had stolen the jewels, and the question was how to prevent his knowing that the theft had been discovered and his slipping away be fore he could be secured. He showed apprehension on the introduction of but no sign of intended flight.
 The practiced eye of the detective was not deceived in the Italians make up, though it had deceived every one in the house. Of course, this fact be-. ing known, no other evidence was re- quired that he was the thief. The pro- lessor not only kept his Knowledge from the household, but disarmed any suspicion the rascal might have that his sex was suspected. This he did because he wished to recover the stolen jewels as well as the criminal.
 However, no time was lost. Calling for couple of assistants the detective arrested Blanca. Of course the Italian knew that his game was discovered, and it was all up with him. Without putting his accusers to the trouble of making an examination he confessed that he was man; that ne had learn cd Of Mrs. Carrington's desire for an Italian maid and had disguised him. self for the purpose of securing the situation and plunder. He had got Lizette under his influence and con- cealed himself behind her when she opened the safe, thus learning the com bination. He had taken the jewels dur ing the night before the loss was dis covered and was watching for an op- portunity to get away with them. They were concealed where they would not be easily found, and Mrs. Darlington decided not to prosecute him if he would give them up. This he did, and. so far as she was concerned he was not troubled.
 When Mrs. Darlington went abroad
 .s took LiZette with her, having for given her for having been captivatetl by the Italian. which was her only sin. for she was not suspected of any complicity with his dishonesty. Her mistress was enabled to call for what she wanted in Italy and understand. in 8 measure. what was said to her. She priyed the little Italian she had learned from Blanca" inasmuch as it had nearl, r,st her her jewels ""