The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-06-15
CHAPTER V.
Necklace or RuckIe-Whlch7

Rutherford started gniltily, then
Strengthened up and faced the door.
He had recognized the voice of Mr..
Henry Talcott, and momentarily wait
ed for him to enter and create a scene.
Mr. Henry Talcott, however, did not
choose to appear.
''You are. not alone in the house,
them" Craig half asked. half asserted
"Will you be good enough to give
me the buckle? That is why l asked
you in"
What buclIle?' he asked in amaze
ment.
"The blue buckle" she answered;
"the one you saw me wear on board
ship"
"Give you the buckle, Mrs Talcott?
How can I? You know haven't had
it,"
81 think you will find 1t in your
pocket, if you try" she insisted.
He thrust his han Is into the pockets
of the light top-coat he wore
Not there," she said: sin your
other coat, please"
He reached sceptically into the left
pocket of his coat, and an expression
of complete bewilderment crept over
his face. The girl smiled at his dis
may "Out with it," she said jest
ingly
Slowly he drew forth his hand and
offered her its contents.
It was diamond necklaee-a gorge
Gus strand of stones, worth at least
$5e 0O0.
''No, no! l don't want thati want
the buckle, please, quick!" she begged
Cbedient to the wlims Of this as
tnnishing nersoa, he felt in his other
po .et. Tie sharp corners of the blue
buckle priel.e1 lis fingers. He drew
it out, and with rapturous joy which
would seemingly have welcomed the
necklace, she extended both hands for
this simple trinket.
"May l examine it?" he asked quiet
ly, retaining possession Of the buckle.
She clasped and unclasped. her
fingers nervously and watched him
with manifest concern, while he leis-
urely scrutinized the object.
1t proved to be more interesting
than he had thought. 1t was ancient
and battered and scared. It's work
manship, by hand, was that of day
when metal smiths were less accom-.
plished Its chief distinction, however,
and one that added to the mystery
which seemed to surround this girl,
lay in an inscription scratched deeply
into the steel and running across the
upper and lower edge of the oblong
buckle. Craig traced the puzzling let
ters with an effort:
OXB W ESAF IPSE
'What does it mean?" he asked.
''Ah, if only knew!" she exclaimc I
"How often have l puzzled over ii
It may mean something-a great deal
to both of us. 1t may mean nothing
at ALL And if 1t means nothing-I-I
don't think can bear itl"
Suddenly she stood alert, looking
wildly about.
"a vehicle has stopped In front of
the door. Do you think we could have
been followed from the pier?"
Il don OF think so. / saw no one,"
he replied.
Look out and see who 1t is, she
whispered, drawing insensibly closer
to him, Don't let them see you!'
Craig went to the window, pulled
aside the hangings tri1e, and peeped
out.
TITS a woman with big leather
bag he announced "She's young,
and she looks harmless. Come and
see"
She came and their heads almost
touched as she peered out. One glance
and she gave little cry of delight:
the next moment she was speeding
across the room and down the stair.
Sophie! Sophie! am so glad! |
thought you were not coming!" her
voice was heard exclaiming, in the
lower hall.
Rutherford guessed from the hum
bly, delighted manner of the young
woman who now entered, that she was
the maid to whom Mrs Talcott had
previously alluded,
"Mademoiselle. when they fight
your dear"
"Yes, yes, Sophie. you may tell me
later! 1t is enough that I have you
again!" her mistress interrupted, evi-
IDENTIFY not desiring any further dis
closures at this time.
The maid followed her mistress up
to the second floor, and as she passed
Rutherford size gave quick, sidewise
glance at him. Rutherford knew that
1t was one of those keen, inquiring
looks by which clever observer gains
much information.
Presently Mrs. Talcott returned to
the study.
you cannot imagine how relieved
| feel to have my maid with me
again!" she said.
Rutherford picked up the gems and
handed them to her
Aren't these diamonds yours?' he
asked pointedly.