South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-03
WHY BIADGE SAID TO DICKY,
THAT WOMAN Is PLANNING
TO STEAL THOSE
PAINTINGS"
PAINTINGS"
Fifty thousand dollarsi"

AS the words fell from Dickys
lips they were echoed in varying
gasps By the members OF the group
gathered IN the COsgrove farmhouse
in the Catskiu mountains where
Dicky and 1 had come for a weeks
outing.
We appeared. Dicl1y and I. to
have tumbled right into an adven-
ture. At our first supper at the
farmhouse L had scented a mystery
in Mrs. Cosgroves's apparent terror
at my assertion that ] could tell
ner twin sons apart. and had be-
come suspicious that Mrs Allis. a
fellow boarder, had some Interior
motive IN coming 10 the farmhouse.
Then after supper our big, jovial
host had led us into the farmhouse
parlor 20 look at some pictures Of
the CatskiI mountain scenery which
his wife's brother had painted.
Dicky. expecting TO be bored, had
at once recognized the paintings as
the work of a genius. Robert Sa-
varin. and had announced that the
collection was worth $4,000.
There was genuine Amusement in
every voice save one. schOOled
myself too long in the study Of
voices and shades OF expression in
my teaching days not 10 recognize
the false note in the afected little
squeaI that Mrs. Ailis gave.
Fifty thousand dollars! Why il
is a fortune, Are you not glad you
didn't sell me a picture now for so
or $152 But then. even if You had,
7 should have returned IL when
had found out its value"
Her words were too honeyed, her
smile too fixed 70 ring true. But
1 had no time TO study her. The
extraordinary behavior OF Mrs. COS
grove riveted my attention.
Her face pale, but her eyes glow
ing like live Goals. she tottered to-
ward her husband and clasped his
arm
Are These Paintings Insured?"
"Oh, John. did 1 hear him say
S5O,OOO?" she gasped. her face
working pitifuIly. rs 1t really
true? Think what it will mean to
Robert
steady. mother!" her husband
admonished her. and there was a
district note OF warning in his voice,
while the twin boys sprang toward
her with a look of lively fright in
their faces we know what II will
mean 10 Roberts sister-to have
these pictures so honOred.
He caught and held her look. and
the woman shrank back into the
cabin. emotiOnIess manner that had
been hers from my first sight Of
her.
But my mind-pondered her IN
finished sentence. That she had not
meant to say Roberts sister" but
Robert" I was very sure.
What mystery was here? Both
Dicky and Mr.. Cosgrove had spoken
OF the artist in the past tense. as IL
he were dead. And yet Robert
Savarin's sister had welcomed the
news OF the value Of her brother
paintings as IL It meant much 10
him.
DicSy was speaking again, and by
his tone and manner knew that he
was intensely interested in this rO-
mantle development of our outing.
Have you these paintings insured
against fire and theft Pile direct
ed his question toward Mr.. Cos
grove, whose jOvial rudy face be
came suddenly Overspread with
anxiety.
only in the general insurance on
my household goods $500 in all. /"
he returned.
''NO Danger SO Far"
Then 1 should advise you TO lose
no time in taking out heavy in
surance upon them" Dfcky said
quietly. There probably is not
much danger against FIRE, but II a
certain gang Of picture thieves in
New York knew OF these pictures
I wouldn't give you much for their
safety"
TIL see about it tomorrow"
Mr.. Cosgrove promised fervently.
Luckily. there's no danger so far.
Nobody sees these pictures but the
people who come here TO board, and
you're the first artist I've had in
years. Most OF them go farther up
into the mountains, and as for the
people whc've seen them, they're
All AlAe MIS- <AllAc lt4 " ulQll 7
know a genuine from an imitation.
The little woman pouted at him
coquettishly.
Aren't YOU horrid? o. she asked
playfully. TO make me out such a
Ounce? But think this IS awfully
thrilling. Just like something you
see on the stage I shall sit up
nights and wait for the villains 70
appear"
ITO make Z really melodramatic.
there should be some person in their
pay who gains the confidence OF
the family and admits the thieves, -
I put IN with assumed gayety.
As spoke 7 watched Mrs. Allis
carefully. I think she was aware Of
my scrutiny. for she Gid not finch
or change color. but into her eyes
crept a hard. murderous little look.
she took up the challenge. how
ever. without a tremor
"Ah. yes. the disguised advea-
turess." she exclaimed with a tink-
ling laugh. THAT must be either
YOU OF me. Miss Graham. How