New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-06-07

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haps for several days. But whichever
it may be, during one of the meals
always the last If they're having more
than O~ne-every piece of jewelry
they may be wearing, and all the
money in their pockets and purses
except small silver and copper-disap-
pear mysteriously."
"Perhaps not mysteriously," sug-
grsted Christopher. "fOu mentioned
having engaged new servants. One of
them may be an expert thief"
"Of course that was our first idca,"
said the girl. "But it would be i'm
possible for the most expert thief, ever
Il conjurer, to pull ladies' rings from
their fingers, unfasten clasps Of
pearl d~og-collars, take off brooches
and bracelets or belts with gold
buckles, and remove studs from shirt
fronts or sleeve-links from cuffs. with
out the knowledge Of the persons
wearing the things"
"Yes, that would be impossible"
Christopher admitted.
"Well, that is what happens at
Wood House every day, and has been
happening for the last fortnight. PeO-
pie sit at the table, and apparently
everything goes IN in the most order
ly way; yet at the end of the meal
their %valuables are gone. 81 wouldn't
let you come to Wood House until I'd
told you the story. Whatever it Is
that works the mischief they mustn't
know that you are different from any
other tourist. You're prepared now.
| want you to watch, to set your wits
to work. You'll motor over this eve
ming, won't you, and say you wish to
Il room?'
with pleasure" said Christopher.
"And I'll do my best to help"
'Thanks for taking IN interest.
Then I'll go now. l shall just be able
to ride home in time for dinner"
"lIave you lost no valuables your
selvcs!" asked Christopher-"you and
your mother?"
mo, we have o n to lose, in the
way of jewelry," answered the girl.
AS for the money that comes in, we
bank everything Immediately, and pay
all we buy with cheques. The
haven't been robbed, and none
If our old silver has been taken. But
our cousins, Mr.. and Mrs. Morley
who have come to stay with
is and manage the house-InOther and
are too unbusinesSlike to do that
,urselves-have lost their jewelry, and
/ little money"
Christopher went on to inquire
whether he had understood Alright
hat the vanishing of jewels and money
invariably taken place in certain
'oOmS. b
always at meals, and, therefore, it
'ould happen only in three rooms"
said Sidney Chester; "the big dining
lall and two small rooms which we've
There are some who have no v%aluubles
md are not touched by the mysterious
influence, whatever it may be, yet they
lon't know what is happening to the
"Nobody is robbed in the nightT
mo. Nothing has been missed from
he bedrooms"
Something will have to be DONE"
aid Christopher-puzzled, but anxious
D be encouraging. "Have you no guest
has been with you several
;eeks?"
"One," the girl returned, half reluc-
unity, as if she guessed his reason
putting this question. "It's-Sir
alter Raven, the man I'm engaged
marry. When l wrote him about
ur scheme he didn't like the idea, but
Don l let him know what a success
was proving. He was so excited
the letter that he left his ranch
charge of his partner and came over
once. 1t was a great surprise to
,e him, butt was u very agreeable
lie. He's been my one cOmfOrt-ex-
'pt, of course, u dear cousins
nee the evil days began"
HE hasn't been able to throw any {
yht on the problem?" !
mo, though he's tried in every /
ay."
What servants are in the rooms
here these robberies occurY" t
1.-THE butler, Nelson, in the dining /
I'll, or one Of the fOOtmen if the meal
being served in a private sitting 4
"Only those, except the guests?" f
"Since the mystery began I've some f
mes been there to watch and superin-
nd, and n Of my cousins. either II
orley or his wife. And in the dining v
III Sir Walter Raven is kind enough {
keep an eye on what gOeS on, while b
to be engaged with his
or dinner" n
yet the robberies take place just 1
e same under your very eves?" G
YES. That is the mysterious part.
lie whole thing is like q dream" I,
Five minutes later, standing at the G.
ndow, he saw her ride off on a fine
inter-. c
The road from the Sandboy and Owl, 81
rough Ringhurst and on to Wood Ii
'use, vas beautiful. Christopher had II
ssee over 4 before, and, coming to d
: gateway nd lodge of the place he
light, he remembered having re- NJ
both, though he had not then a
the name of the estate. a