The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-17


staying as guests in the house. with
the less valued part of Mrs. Harbord's
jewels. That idea OF splitting up the
booty was very cute 1t directed the
hue and cry after wrayson. In the
meantime the others very ingeniously
concealed the Sharon"
But although you knew that Hilda
Bassett was in the scheme. yet you
allowed her to see that you suspected
the others-her confederates?"
True. L did not want her to think
me altogether a fool. Besides, was
playing with her. It had its amusing
side"
Good heavenskS could only repeat.
"It also helped me to beat her." went
on my friend with a chuckie. ct is
more than likely. too. that she meant
me to suspect wFayson had been
duped. She knew that that would send
me to the house at Hampstead. For
she badly wanted me to go there. That
was part OF the game she was playing
with the tenants there"
But why did they want you there?-
"A leading question, Francie. why7
In the first place, rather think that
they must have some grudge against
me. Possibly I have been thorn IN
one of their sides before now. and they
needed revenge. went because
wanted to be sure of my birds: and
then found the situation trimming
with fascination. In the second place.
they wanted me out of my rooms here
for short time They wanted to
spend some uninterrupted minutes here
| or one OF their agents did. So they
sent a man named Bennett. II you had
| admitted him you might have Jared
very badly at his hands. He called,
found you in the way. and telephoned
| to my charming host and hostess at
the Hamstead house. They remon-
strated with me. They demonstrated
by placing the business end OF pistol
| against my head I was compelled by
that gentle persuasion to send you the
telegram, adding that detail OF the blue
i envelope to allay your suspicious. Still
you held out. I had to make the mes
sage natural. to urge you to go. because
the pistol barrel tcds pressing into my
left temple. Would you be deceived?
That was the question. Admirable
Francie! You played bold stroke. In
spector Reddish did the rest. Our birds
are Gagged. There remain Arthur wray-
, son and Miss Hilda Bassett. Even
now I suspect they are Off"
But what did they want in your
rooms?" I questioned as Tredways
became so silent that I feared he was
asleep.
"Ah!" said he, sitting bolt upright.
, THAT is the gist the crux OF the whole
matter. While I was listening to
;; Hilda's story I felt that there was yet
something at the back OF her visit
which needed explanation. watched
her more closely than I have ever
watched anybody. do believe. ard
1 n Tod ola o4 hat
beautiful example of Andres Bulbs
. work which I purchased for you a few
days back. That merely seemed to
show. however, that despite the role
she was filling she could yet spare some
interest in fine iniaid work. Presently.
as you may remember, she removed
her macintosh and lightly dropped 1t
across the antique table at her ride.
She kept her left hand underneath the
garment, and observed that it re-
peatedly strained at something there.
1t was not due to nervous agitation,
because it directly affected her con-
centration upon her tale.
II began to feel that 7 had to ind
some connection between the story and
my recent purchase. That appeared
: absurd As had bought the article at
, an auction sale she might well know
I had secured it: but why-why should
she come with primary reason OF
seeing it, OF furtively handling It'll It
was not until she and you had left me
: that suspicion Of the facts fitted into
! my mind.
'That suspicion ELECTED speedy in
quiry into the tables history. Prior to
the sale it had belonged to Lady
Dressler, of Lancaster Gate. Before
then. to the Hotel Mansard in Dover
Street. Before then. to Mrs. Hartford.
of Hampstead The latter lady parted
with a few Of her effects before going
|. to Italy, and the buhi table was amongst
E them. That sent the truth in q fame
to my perception. You penetrate the
I mystery? On the night when our trio
Il Of Jewel crooks made their haul. and
: probably after wrayson's departure
n the famous Sharon diamond was hid
II den by the two others-f1 that tdbtcfN
/ looked at It, open-mouthed.
: You win ask why they permitted
Il two years to pass without getting it,
continued -Tredways. rising. They
- were in no hurry. Still. when the table
- was in others possession they fell
rather nervous. That's proved by ths
! facts OF the two attempts to get at it.
I THAT they did not outbid me at thu
auction sale can only be explained by
an assumption that they were short OF
q ready cash at the time.
There remains but one more point
e the Sharon. have not attempted Il
get at it before, for wanted to see tht
E. AFFAIR right through first. and 1 wanted
you to be with me. Judging from tbs
e movement OF our charming lady visi
l. tors hand believe / know where i
is-and a most weil-chosen depository
II too
y With fascinated eyes watched Tired
e ways take small cll.sei from a tool
e chest in a cupboard. The buhi tabi,
: had single drawer underneath I'll
costly inlaid top. The handle 20 thi,
drawer was secured by a small bras
/ plate fastened by three screws. Tired
+ ways had the screws out IN less than