The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1917-11-15
Telling It
To Mary
The Story of a Lost Neck
lace.
By cLARIssA MAcKIR

library table. Between US lay an
open cash box showing neatly tied
packet labeled ssMary's Bonds" In
my extended hand was a leather
Jewel case-yawning-empty
sThe necklace is gone" gasped
at last.
MARY must not be told-yet, "
painted Jim, resting back ON his
heels, dusty and disheveled. NO
telling what might happen to her
weak heart if she became excited"
There was light tap on the door
and my wife's voice. Il merely
want to remind you both that to-
morrow is my birthday-you haven't
forgotten that / shall be twenty-five
years Of age and that at last / am
to have Aunt Bethiah's necklace?"
s0f course We haven't forgotten "
I said with dignity.
Il believe l shall claim it tonight,
boysl At midnight I shall be of age,
and Won NAV deliver it to me then."
Every well, DEAR" said drearily.
'sWhat is the matter ?" entreated
Mary tearfully. tYOu both look so
worried. You-you haven't been
speculating?"
Lord, MOI Didn't I promise you
I never would again ?"
She drew herself away, smiling.
sI'm glad Of that, Peter-it's a great
temptation-to obtain money quick
ly-but it's risky and worrisome.
Goodby, dears. Cheer up and be
sweeter tempered when I come
hoIne.7 And she left.
sSWhat do you say to my calling
headquarters and have a detective
sent up here ?" said jim
@Let FER co. / said grufiy, and
while Jim talked at some length over
the telephone l rearranged the safe.
We sat In melancholy silence for
an hour; then the doorbell rang and
Stiffns ushered IN a small, stupid
looking little man. He rendered a
printed card.
'sAh, Mr. Bump-be seated, I
said, after introducing the detective
to jim
Briefly / related the circum-
stances: That Jim Haswen and
myself were executors Of the es-
tate of the late Miss Bethiah Has
well Town aunt to Mary and Jim),
who had died eight years ago and
left among other requests one to my
wife; this bequest consisted of sew
eral listed securities valued at per-
haps $4,000 and a handsome dia-
m0nd necklace, estimated to be /
worth at least $50, 900. These were
not to be given to Mary until she
reached the age Of twenty-five,
which would happen on the morrow.
This afternoon we opened the safe
to check off the bonds and arrange
for their transfer to my wife, and we
had discovered the jewel case to be
empty.
Mr.. Bumps eyes darted from
Jim's distressed face to my own and
he spoke for the first time.
@I'H look around" he said in
dry, husky voice.
He examined the safe, the cash
box, the locks and keys, the combi-
nation to the safe, the rugs on the
floor and looked up the chimney.
AInside job" he said tersely.
"You mean the servants ?" de-
Jim.
Il didn't say so"
We leaned against the mantel-
piece while the detective stared at
The safe. 'fYou didn't ought to KEEP I
EN- in the house," he said severely.
eve are aware Of that fact
now" remarked Jim impatiently. I
Give us fresh information if you {
amp II
q can" snapped Mr.. Bump omi-~
lously. Then his voice went on rap
dly, without pause: 'sThere was
.Wo men on the job; they knew the '
combination, had keys to the cup (
BOARD and cash box; it was a cinch
or 'em, gentsl One man was tall i
md fair, with scar on his temple
Ike Mr.. Haswell here, and the other t
'eller was the very spit of yourself,
dr. Drayton." He smiled impudent-
y into our astonished faces.
@What do you mean 2" sputtered a
Jimmy threateningly. n
Il mean when firm of architects v
8 pressed for $40, 900 and they hold 0
is worth in trust for relative it's a
n easy matter to raise the money 0
md call in the central Office to cook 1
Up a robbery yarn" he said brutalIy. d
Now, gents, III give you till tomor- r
ow afternoon to produce that neck
ace"
The door closed behind his
drinking form, and Jim and / tot u
cred into opposite chairs and stared e
ghast at each other. "
eFool idea, that, your calling up "
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