The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-08-15

voice had risen almost to scream.
"Stolen from her neck as she
danced-a very skillful piece of
work" said flanagan, casually.
The French maid leaned breath
lessly against the door. The French
maid, be it remembered, had not
as yet been interviewed by police
OR reporters. Leslie was appar-
emily satisfied that he would work
out his clue thru Chappie Carol
and Masters. He had the very
direct police suspicious.
What do you thing about the
strength of the necklace--how
strong a pull would it have taken
to break it," asked flanagan.
quite strong. 1t caught as Miss
Constance stopped over the dress
ing table; the loose, hanging loop
caught, you know, and she gave it
quite sharp tug"
"Did either of you examine it to
see whether the string might not
have been drawn so that 1t may
possibly have broken later of itself
and dropped to the floor?"
I'VE looked at tit seemed to
be all right"
Before flanagan could ask an
other question an animated group
came down the corridor. Miss ALI
son was the center figure and Lam
agan in a swift glance saw that the
other three we're her father, Mrs.
Haubert, her aunt, and Masters.
well, SIR" came from the heir
ess, a trifle haughtily, what
brings you here interrogating my
maid?"
flanagan bowed. 1--WE news
papermen have no alternative in
matters of this sort save to begin
at the beginning and endeavor to
unravel them" he answered. "Mr
Allison has had sufficient expe-
rience with newspapermen to
know that"
flanagan knew that Allison and
Colonel Younger, publisher of the
Enquirer" were very friendly,
and he was maneuvering to play
upon that friendship.
Certainly, sir, certainly" re-
piled the many times millionaire.
Don't worry, my dear" to his
daughter. II would trust these
young men of the papers sooner
than the police, who are just as
apt to divide the loot with the thief
as not. Isn't that correct, Mr.. Lam
again."
flanagan laughed. 81 presume it
has happened" he said. Miss ALI
son. would you and Mr.. Masters
mind taking, as nearly as you can
remember, the positions you had
when the pearls-from all we can
learn now we're taken. Please
place Mr.. Haubert where Miss Cad
ogan was, as you remember; and
your father where Winkeppner
stood"
flanagan was indulging in one
of his procedures of taking full
charge of a situation merely by
force of personal magnetism and
aggressiveness. Whatever astonish-
ment the request may have caused
was forgotten in his brisk, decisive
imperativeness. The party went
into the apartments and the tab
leaux was quickly placed in posi-
ton by Miss Allison.
From a respectful distance the
French maid looked on, curiously.
flanagan studied the group a
moment.
About how low from your neck
would the pearls have hung when
you we're bent over in that man
ner. Miss Allison?" he asked.
II should say about here" she
replied. indicating a point several
inches below her chin.
The group again Strengthened
up puzzled and expectant. But in
to Lanagan's eyes a sparkle OF
quick excitement had come.
when I need you l will call
you," said Miss Allison, a trifle
sharply, noticing for the first time
that the maid still lowered in the
doorway. The maid, dropping an
apologize courtesy. disappeared
to the inner room.
| CONTINUED I'm Our Next Issue.)