The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1918-01-10
Telling It
To Mary
The Story Of a Lost Neck.
lace.
By CT LARISSA MACkIE

By CLARISSA MACKIE
Jim Haswell and I stared at each
other across the polished top OF the
library table. Between us lay an
open cash box showing a neatly tied
packet labeled "Mary's Bonds" In
my extended hand was a leather
jewel case-yawning- empty.
"The necklace is gone," 1 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. '1 merely
want to remind you both that to-
morrow is my birthday-you haven't
forgotten that I shall be twenty-five
years of age and that at last l am
to have Aunt Bethiah's necklace?"
"Of course we haven't forgotten" "
said with dignity.
T believe l shall claim it tonight,
boys! At midnight I shall be Of age,
and you may deliver it to me then"
every well, DEAR" 1 said drearily:
"What is the matter" entreated
Mary tearfully. "You both look so
worried. You-you haven't been
speculating%
"Lord, no! Didn't I promise you
never would again."
She drew herself away, smiling.
'1'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
home" And she left.
"What do YOU say to my calling
headquarters and have detective
sent up here?" said Jim.
"Let FER GO" l said grufly, and
while Jim talked at some length over
the telephone 1 rearranged the safe.
We sat in melancholy silence for
an hour; then the doorbell rang and
Stihins ushered in a small, stupid
looking little man. He rendered a
printed card.
"Ah, Mr.. Bump-be seated" I
said, after introducing the detective
to Jim.
Briefly 1 related the circum-
stances: That Jim Haswell and
myself were executors of the es-
tate of the late Miss Bethiah Has
well (own aunt to Mary and Jim),
who had died eight years ago and
left among other bequests one to my
wife; this bequest consisted Of sew
eral listed securities valued at per-
haps $4,000 and a handsome dia-
mond necklace, estimated to be
worth at least $4,000. These we're
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.
'1'n look around" he said in a
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.
Inside job" he said tersely.
"You mean the servants?" de-
manded Jim.
'1 didn't say so"
We leaned against the mantel-
piece while the detective stared at
the safe. "You didn't ought to KEEP
'em in the house." he said severely.
eve are aware of that fact
now," remarked Jim impatiently.
"Give US fresh information if you
cam"
'G can," snapped Mr.. Bump omi-
nously. Then his voice went on rap
idly, without pause: 'There was
two men on the job; they knew the
combination, had keys to the cup
board and cash box; it was a cinch
for 'em, gents! One man was tall
and fair, with scar on his temple
like Mr.. Haswell here, and the other
feller was the very spit of yourself,
Mr.. Drsyton." He smiled impudent-