The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-12

keyed lIllI0OQeTdIely us IT.
evitable backswings of dullness.
''AIiramar" after the Obden- Belpont
wedding, at any rate. reminded me that
excessive glory is only too apt to be fol-
lowed by excessive WEAKNESS. We were
a small but plainly bored group at
dinner that night.
Winlie was there, and Rear-Admiral
Trevor Ferris was there, and Gwendo-
lyn de Haven and Miss Blanchan and the
taciturn Obden- Belpont himself, with
Reserve written across his front as
plainly as "Miramar" was written across
his caterpillar. They all seemed rather
tired and -immured and just a little
relieved. And shared that feeling. for
my work. I knew, was over. Mrs.
Obden- Belpont, finally released from the
calls of generalship, had taken bro
mide and a hot bath and had gone to
bed, though a residuary scattering OF
workmen, both out on the terrace and
in the house itself, were quietly yet in
dustriously removing the last OF the
decorations.
The only occupied person in our own
group I noticed. as Il sat back and
studied them. was Miss Blanchan. From
the city afternoon papers she was care
fully clipping and pinning together SEN
sationally labeled photographs and in
great wedding and its gifts, descriptions
by the way, which had appeared in print
a considerable time before the cere-
mony itself had even started. Indeed.
as sat there idly watching the woman
with those garnered sheaves of recorded
glory, I couldn't help Specializing as to
what other eyes might be perusing the
same unabashed explorations OF SPLEEN
dor. Among them. I told myself, there
would be some that were covetous, and
some that were designing, and some
that were rebellious. I couldn't help
remembering that the gentry who make
profession Of jewel stealing had the
habit of watching the society pages as
closely as does the latest climber trying
to enfllade the Social Register. I
couldn't help wondering II this stood as
an explanation of why the reticent
William Obden- Belpont had ofThandedly
suggested that stay over for day or
two. For I remembered that these same
Jewels had yet to be transferred from
'Miramar" to the safety-deposit vaults
where they would be duly stored to
await the return of their owner.
I had plenty Of time to do my think
ing, since there was little else to do.
SO sat there, as impersonally idle as
the rest of them.
As sat there abstractedly watching
the last of the workmen dismantling
the glories Of that monday spectacle, I
let my eyes dwell on what had ac-
cepted as a florists assistant quietly
engaged in removing the last Of a bank
of orchid-tinted hydranEeas and wind
ing UP the ultimate yards Of what had
once seemed endless bolts of cream-coI-
ored ribbon. AS he crossed the terrace
and stepped into the house itself his
g.
me. 1t was at the exact moment I
caught glimpse Of those features, lit
up by the bunch-light swung out over
the close-clipped turf. that the flash
had struck out of the grayness of
things, like a nTinnie1odter over a No
Mans Land, sending a tingle along my
nerve-ends and a warning message back
from the observation-posts of instinct
For in that sedentary workman, so
monotonously winding up the last of
his weary days work. I saw CITRATE
Sam, alias Sad Sam Everson, one OF
the trickiest and most audacious gem
thieves outside OF Jail walls.
I got up languidly from my chair
crossed the huge room, and began a
surreptitious survey Of the ground-fioor
OF the house.
wandered on, with apparent aim
AGn1AAGoSs
study OF Obden-Belpont, at one end OF
which the wall-safe stood There ]
came to stop, listening for a moment
or two. Then I switched on the lights
| looked carefully about, and crossed "a
the panel Of heavily carved mahogany
which screened the front of the wall
safe itself. 1 released this panel by the
secret spring which held it in place
swung 1t back, and examined the safe
front.
Everything there was in order. II
wasn't until stopped down and looked
over the ntaSs-mat which had wired
and connected with the buzzer in my
bedroom that anything in any way dis.
concerning presented itself. Then ]
made the somewhat disturbing discov.
cry that this mat had been cut loose
from its carefully hidden wires.
| stood there for some time, ponder.
ing this discovery. Then crossed to
bell-button and pushed It. I waited two
full minutes, and rang again. As Their,
was still no answer to that summons,
finally concluded that the circuit lead
ing to the servants quarters had alsC
been tempered with. This prompted
me to try the ground-fioor telephones
only to ind the wires dead And tina
persuaded me that it was about time t,
get busy.
But stiIl kept perfect control OF m,
movements. I sauntered leisurely bacl
until I found Evans, the footman
quietly closing and locking the lonl
French windows.
Are there any strangers In thi
house tonight" casually inquired. L
there any new servant. mean, or evei
= workman"
~None whatever, madam" he sal
with decision.
win that be all. madam" asked tn
plainly wearied. Evans. still mechan
ically polite.
That will be all" said as I turne
and LETT him TO switch out the light,
But I went straight Up through tn
silent house to my room. where locke
myself in. There I nrst tried my ex
subscriptions. but, as I expected, wa
unable to get any answer. Remember
ing ] might have to ant alone I un