Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-06-16
THE RIDDLE OF THE SILVA STONES

the Gl0SSOpS. a suite OF rooms was
placed at her disposal, and since, UNI
like most feminine friendships. this
one grew warmer and closer every
day, she appears to have been per-
fectly comfortable and happy for the
first time In many years.
Good. Let us have the story of
last night now, please. How did the
duchess come to have the silva stones
in her personal possession at that
time? Surely she was not insane
enough to keep the gems in the house
with herr"
always in the strong rooms at her
bankers. She hadn't even seen them.
much less worn them, for years until,
on her order. they Were brought to
her from the bank yesterday morning
SO that she might appear in them last
night, for last night was an eXcep-
tional occasion"
I'm what particular way?"
ut was to be Mrs. Glossop's last at
home for q long, long time. Her
health not being very good OF late, the
doctors had ordered voyage to the
cape. and everything has long been IN
readiness for her departure next We'd
nesday fortnight. AS last nights at
fair was in the nature of sort OF
leave taking. the duchess resolved TO
come out Of her recent retirement and
to wear the famous silva stones. She
did so. hear from Capt. Glossop that
she made her appearance so covered
with jewels that she appeared like
jewelers. windo. in the midst OF which
shone the two amazing diamonds. sus-
neck, and putting every other jewel
she wore to shame by their gorgeous
magnificence."
II can we'll imagine that they
would, Mr.. Narkom. They produced
sensation, of course?"
T1n$ tot tn10 h of
they fairly took away his breath. 1t
was the first time either he or his
wife had ever seen them; indeed, 1t
appears that 1t was the first time the
young Duke Of Netherlands himself.
who, with his bride. was present. had
set eyes upon the appallingly mag
nifcent things. He was heard to say
to his young duchess that it was not
only beastly vulgar, but beastly rough
-Heatherland Court with ton
weight of mortgages upon it. you
without SO much as q decent bracelet.
useless, when a tenth of it would put
baby and us in clover"
He was right there. Mr.. Narkom:
it was rough. He. with a wife and
little son. and loaded down with debts
and cares at Internationally, and
the duchess with millions lying idle
and unheeded at eighty-three! Well,
go on, please; what folloWed?"
after remaining 'on exhibition I'M
til half-past H." resumed the su-
perintendent, "the duchess took leave
Of the other guests. kissed Mrs.
Giossop good night. and retired to her
own rooms with the avowed intention
of going to bed. About twelve min
utes later the young Duke of Heather
lands. too. left the room, and went up
after her"
"Hm-m-m! What for?"
HE says for the purpose of making
one final appeal to her, to what wom-
anhood was in her, by showing her
the miniature his wife wore o their
little son and heir. The old duchess
maid says that she met him on the
stairs as she was coming down and
told him that her mistress was sitting
in her tea gown taking her regular
glass of hot whisky and water before
getting into bed. so he would have to
be quick if he wished to speak to her.
for as soon as she had finished that
she would lock and bolt the door and
go to bed forthwith.
"He says. however, that when he got
to the room the door was already
locked, that in answer to his knock
had merely told him to go about his
business. She said she paid her rates
and taxes to support unions and
warehouses; for paupers and that she
wasn't going to support any on the
outside.
after that. he says. he came away,
knowing that it was hopeless, went
down and rejoined his wife, and in
five or ten minutes time they said
good night to their host and hostess
and went home. That was the very
last interview, SO far as anybody has
been able to discover, that any one
had with the Dowager Duchess of
Netherlands. On account of the
weak state Of Mrs. Glossap's health,
the entertainment broke up early.
At half-past II the final guest
took his departure; at l Capt, Clos
sop's man helped his master to I'M
dress and get into bed. At the
same moment Mrs Glossop's maid
performed a like office for her mis-
tress. saw her in hers, put out the
light and in another ten minutes
every soul in the house was between
sheets and asleep.
Eat 8 o'clock. however, star
Ting thing occurred. Goodwin, the
cook, waking thirsty and finding her
water bottle empty. rose and went
in panic to rouse the housekeeper,
Mrs. Condiment; and tell her that
there was a light burning in the old
clearly visible under the door and
through the keyhole. She, the cook
had knocked on the door to inquire
IL anything was wanted, as she knew
the dichess' maid was ASLEEP in
another part of the house. But she
had been unable to get any sort of
response.
well. to make long story short,
my dear Cleek," went on Markham