Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-03-17

went into the stewards room
and had my supper as usual, and l
also paid q visit to MIR. Bloor's bed
room and borrowed certain trifies
which 1 proposed to use later on.
happened to know that both he and
Mrs. Trumpertou-Smith were en-
gagged to play bridge after dinner at
a neighboring hotel.
I contrived to leave open the con.
Meeting door between the bedroom
and the sltting-room, and to be In the
former when they returned for their
coffee. Madam had cone in for her
cloak. and they were on the point Of
starting out again, when her escort
at last gave me the cue for which
had been waiting.
~ say. Mimi" he drawled-he
called her Mimi although she
weighed fourteen stone-"I don't
feel comfortable walking along the
front with you in those diamonds.
Leave them behind. there's dear"
Just as you like. dear" she as.
scented meekly. Perhaps you're right.
especially if we go on to supper
afterward. Here, Janetg'
hurried out. Esis I'd
"Yes, MADAME"
Take these off-aIl Of Them" she
directed, extending her arms and
posing her neck. 81 am going out
and may be late"
i relieved her of the jewels. All
the time Mr.. Bloor was watching
with CLEAN in his eyes.
"If you will give me your KEY. ma.
dam, 1 viii lock them up" / sug-
gested.
"Oh. that Will do when ] get
back" she said. Put them in one
Of the drawers, Janet"
They went off together. ] did ex-
actly as ] had been hidden, and after
ward fingered in the sitting."oOm
While ! completed my plans. / had
just come TO decision when there
was sharp knock at the door. The
manager of the hotel-a Mr.. leon
Grant-made his appearance. lila
looked around the empty sitting
room.
II understood that Mrs. Trumpe
ton-Smith WAS up here" he 50 x
courteously.
Mrs. Trumpertaa-SmI;h went out
some little time sgc." told him.
What time do you expect your
mistress back =" he inquired.
She did not say, SIR" / replied.
The last time she went out to play
bridge. it was about che o'clock
when she returned. Mr.. Bloor is
with. her. i"
The manager nodded and turned
away.
Can give her any message, slr?"
/ added.
He hesitated. closed the door and
came back again.
II should imagine" he said, look.
ing at me attenc.vely. that you are
a trusted servant"
II was engaged as companion.
lady's-maid. sir" 1 told him. II be.
lieve that my mistress has every
in me-" ai|a
He nodded. #fa.
TO tell you the truth" he ex.
planned, 81 am a little worried abou.
your mistress jewels. There was a
small robbery last night at hotel in
the neighborhood, and have had an
indirect sort of warning from the
police that there are thieves about.
Mrs. Trumperton-Smith has the
reputation of being very careless.
came to ask her if she would allow
me to keep her jewels in the hotel
safe"
II should be very glad If you
could persuade her to do So" l as
sured him. 81 suggested it when
we arrived. but Madam likes to take
them out and look at them When she
is alone"
at is scarcely fair upon any no.
tel" the manager pointed out lit.
tie ENORMOUSLY. "Will you be so
kind as to tell me where she keeps
them?"
showed him the case, although I
said nothing of the diamonds in the
drawer. He frowned severely.
1T is placing temptation 10 PEG.
pies way" he declared.
THE door of the bedroom is al.
ways locked" l reminded him, and
you have a night-watchman. Then,
too, we are on the fourth story"
MY dear young woman" he in
terrupted irritably, those things are
nothing to an experienced thief. The
hotel safe is the only place for such
jewelry as Mrs. Trumperton Smith
possesses"
Continued in Our Next Tssue)
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