The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-09-18

trivet. But madame Is not dressed
for her Journey"
mo, monsieur. have postponed (
-" slight pause prefaced one more
word-"indefinitely.
At this confirmation OF the fears
which had been haunting him, Duche-
min nodded slightly.
Yes" she said thoughtfully, when
Duchemin had explained his presence
in the drawing room: Il, too, found
it not easy to sleep. But heard
nothing till that chair crashed"
You came down here-alone?"
but naturally, monsieur"
u don't believe" said Duchemin
sincerely. the world holds a woman
your peer for courage"
"Or curiosity?" she laughed. at
all events. I found you. but could
do nothing to rouse you. So l called
Jean. and he helped mo get you up
stairs again.
Well. you see e" It was broad
daylight before I noticed that tho
screen which stands in front OF my
safe was out Of place. The safe Is
built into the solid wall. you know.
got up then. and found the safe
door an inch or so ajar. Whoever
opened It last night, closed it hastily
and neglected 10 shoot the bolts"
And your jewels. OF COURSE
She pronounced with unbroken
composure: They have left me moth
ing, monsieur"
Duchemin groaned and hung his
head.
II wanted to consult you first,
and " She broke Off sharply to
ask: Yes. Jean: What is it?"
The footman had entered to bring
her cards. over which Eve dc Mon.
talais arched her brows.
SHOW the gentlemen IN. please"
The servant retired.
1.-THE men from Paris. madame7"
Yes. You viii excuse me-"
She went to meet the men IN the
middle Of the room. Duchemin
turned back to tho window and was
grateful for that moment OF respite in
which to compose and prepare him
self Within an hour, he knew,
within a day or 80 at most. he must
be under arrest. charged with the
theft Of the Montalais jewels, damned
by his yesterday as much as by every
turn Of circumstantial evidence
The men whom Jean ushered In
proved to be, outwardly, what Duche-
min had expected; Of n class only too
well-known to him, plain men Of the
people, unassuming, well-trained and
informed skeptical; not improbably
shrewd hands in the game of thief
taking.
Saluting Madame dc Montalais with
calculated ceremony, one acting as
spokesman offered to present their
credentials.
1T is not necessary, unessieurs," she
said. Il regret very much to havb
Inconvenience you, although of
course il will make no difference in
your bill; but have brought you here
to no purpose. The necessity for my
contemplated journey no longer ex-
ists.'
There were expressions Of surprise
to which she put an end with the
words, accompanied by charming
smile: Frankly, messieurs. I have
simply changed my mind"
There was nothing more to be said.
Openly more than a little mystified,
the men withdrew.
The smile with which she dismissed
them fingered. delightful and enig.
matte. as Eve recognized the stupe
faction with which Duchemin moved
to demonstrate with her.
"Madame!" he cried in a low voice
Of wonder and protest-"why did you
do that? Why let them go without
telling them-2"
Possibly that is my wish, mon
sieur." He gave gesture of bewil-
derment. Perhaps" she continued,
meeting his blank stare with eyes in
which amusement gave place to look
almost Apologize yet utterly kind
perhaps have more faith in
Won ."
Duchemin bowed his head over
hands so tightly knitted that the
knuckles were white with strain.
you would not have faith" he said
In a low voice, "if you knew"
She interrupted in a gentle voice;
Are you sure?'
What 1 must tell your
MY friend" she said: tell me
nothing that would distress you"
IF you had tod those detectives,