The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-03-01

turn TO tho nft Suddenly the farth-
est door was opened, softly but not
ytealthlly A figure appeared, and
leaning down. threw pair Of shoes
upon tho mat suppose that ] was
dlmly visible In tho semi gloom. for
tho man suddenly left or whiBtling
and turned In my direction.
Huiio. thoroi" no called out
! drew from my pocket the little
electric torch which had been keep
Ing IN readiness. and flashed Il upon
him. II was my friend m. STAN
field, IN striped yellow and white pa
lumas, ciEaret between his teeth.
his feet cncascd Ia comfortable slip
pera
What the devil are you doing out
thCre7' ho demanded. And who's
turned tho lights outg''
Better turn them on and you may
ser," I replied There's a switch
cloac to your door"
He found Il after a moments FUN
bling and stared al US in amaze
ment Tho maid. with her fingers
stu 10 her throat. had recovered
sufficiently 10 sit up, and was lean
Ing with her back 20 tho wall. ghnst-
iy white and moaning 10 herself The
empty jcwci-caso told it's own story.
'Jerusalcml" SIR. Etanfieid cx-
claimed breaihlessly. ~ robbery"
Ring your bell" directed.
Ho disappeared into his room for
moment, leaving tho door open.
Presently no reappcarrd
I've rung oil three he an
nouneed
Then the wires have been cut"
answered. pointing 10 tho register
lower down, which had not moved.
Go to the llft and SEQ II you can got
anyone"
lie wns gone for about half a min
uto. ] leaned down toward the GIRL,
who waA beginning 20 cry.
Did you SEQ who attacked your" !
asked.
mol" she Eobbed. AN tho lights
went out suddenly. Someone came
UP from behind ] never heard a
sound-Just the clutch at my throat
and the choking"
why did you not wait for me or
20 by the MR. | demanded.
Size looked n little puzzled. II
never 20 by the lift" she replied.
why not2'
Fred, the Hccnnd-floor valet. gem
orally meets mo on Che floor below"
sho explained reluctantly. and"
II Sec" l interrupted. But didn't
your mistress tell you TO wait and 90
down with me-"
Tho girl seemed surprised.
My head IL queer" she admitted.
"and ] can't remember much; but
Madame said nothing to me except
to tell me 10 hurry down"
The silence OF the corridor was
suddenly broken. Mr.. stanfield re-
appeared. followed by little army OF
servants and the manager.
Send everyone away except two
men whom you can trust" | begged
the latter. Mrs. De Mcndozas neck
lace mas been stolen.
There was a nurmur Of constcrnn-
ton and excitement The manager
selected two Of the servants and dis
missed tho rest. He posted one by
the INT and ono by the staircase.
DO you think the thief has got
nway7" he asked.
"One cannot toll" / replied ~
want 10 know about these three
rooms"
He glanced Mt the numbers.
The farthest one ia occupied by
Mr.. stanfield." no announced. THE
other two are empty"
you are sure that this one" |
asked, pointing 10 the door close to
whore we stood. rs unoccupied9"
Certain" was the confident reply.
Take my keys and sec for yourself"
was on the point OF doing 10
when Mrs. Dc Mendoza appeared.
She was clad In n wonderful light
blue wrapper. and the touch OF ex-
element seemed TO add 10 her beauty.
MY nccldaccl" she gasped. Don't
tell me that II IL goneN'
Madam" the manager began. ~
regret to say"
what were you doing, then7" she
cried. turning TO me. "Do you moan
to say that Il was stolen while An
nette was with your"
Annette was never with me-" 7
replied. she left your bedroom with
tho Iewcl-cnsc. without coming near
the slttlnE-room."
rs this true, Annctte7" her mis-
trcss demanded.
But why not, Madame?" Annette
faltered you said nothing 10 me
about going Into the slttlnE-room. ]
did not know that Monsieur was TO
accompany me-"
Tho girl IL telling n tnlsehood"
Mrs. DO Mendoza declared nnrrlly.
could these matters wait for n
moment" interviewed "Our I'M
mediate task Ia to try and recover
the necklace. I wish everyone TO
leave this place except you, sir"
added, addressing the manager, "and
myself"
Mr. Stnnflcld reluctantly withdrew
We first OF all entered the room op-
posite to us. II was empty and mp