The Ordway new era., 1922-01-27

rs, threatened to disru
England.
he night Of the Devon ball.
& big old-fashiOned house In
of the Devon estate. AS
to be expected, the list Of
"a like a section from Burke's
Ia fact which made Inspector
work distinctly more diff
the loss Of the famous neck
Devonshire was reported to
Yard.
1n the evening Lady Alberta
lssed her maid with the state
she would complete her tot
elf, but, just as she was about
her necklace-an heirloom
ID greatly increased in value
OF Its historic connections
ght 1t would be well to secure
sed opinion as to the effect
own, which had just arrived
Els. When she returned from
rs room few minutes later
he'd for the necklace, only to
that 1t had vanished!
ge that she had had 1t In her
Is than ten minutes before, She
the room and then summoned
band, whom she told Of the
bus loss.
Is only one thing to do" de-
Is lordship, after verifying his
katement that the jewels were
"and that Is to notify the po-
ctor Sweeney reached the Devon
hortly after midnight, while the
is still In progress, and secured
n6ager details OF the case directly
her ladyshlp.
I'D you notice any one in the hall
oii passed through on the way to
sisters room?" Sweeney asked.
10 one at ALL"
low long has your maid been with
esB than two months-but she
! We'll recommended"
n11ly, In spite of protests, the OPP
IA from Scotland Yard gave Or
Nat no one was to leave the
of the Devon estate without
mission, and, as the ball formed
a weeks festivities. 1t was pos
arrange this without mention
reason for the request to the
Armed with list of those
with their servants. Sweeney
)paired to Lady DevOn's bOudolr
mence active investigations.
knowledge of London society
lfiicient to inform him that at
hree OF the guests, despite their
might easily have been guilty Of
the necklace If the opportunity
Resented itself.
question Is" mused Sweeney.
could have known that Lady
would have been out of the
br just those few moments? She
summoned by any message and
I'D therefore appear that som.
Is hiding In the hope that an op-
bity would present itself. That
seem to eliminate the guests
>t the servants"
king along this line, Sweeney
a careful examination of the
articles on the dressing table
the diamonds had been placed.
a thorough scrutiny of the per-
bottles. pieces of silver and other
IS which were highly polished,
Receive made his way downstairs
ent word to Lady Devon that he
like to speak to her for a mo-
ur ladyship." he said, will you
! press the tips Of your fingers
on this" and he held out one of
hand mirrors from the boudOir.
he added, Pm not suspecting
Pf making away with your own
pnds-I merely wish to discover
fnger-prlnts are yours"
Zen. a moment later, "Thank you.
nght as much"
pw," he continued, 81 want you to
Pct your butler-whOm l under
has been with you for number
ars-tO secure the prints of all
|ervants under your roof. Tell him
axe any excuse for 1t that he
p to, but l must secure a complete
ftion. Kindly have them sent to
pom the first thing In the morning.
Pwhile, don't worry. If my in
(tions are rigldly carried out. your
ace should be discovered before
O'clock"
y Sweeney underestimated by
two hours. 1t was eleven O'Clock
Pc following morning before he re-
(d the complete set Of finger
[s' and ten minutes later pair Of
!cuffs was dangling from the wrists
lillian Sinclair. valet Of one Of the