The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-04-26

geStiOn of "Reminiscences. She listened
to the few words with which 1 intro
duced myself, and smiled deprecatins-
ly.
TT is true that am very foolish, "
she admitted, but then L have al
ways been a person of superstituons.
I have owned my necklace for some
years, and I have had it with me in
quite lawless places. 1 have never,
however, felt just the same amount of
apprehension as do at the pres
ent moment"
She came over TO my side, and with
out unclasping the necklace, let it
rest in my hands. The pearls We're
all mervelously matched, all Of con-
siderable size, and with that milky
softness which she pointed out to me
as being a proof of their great perfeo-
ton. As we stood there, necessarily
close together. a wisp of her hair
touched my forehead. Something IN
the timbre Of her low laugh as she
brushed it back induced me to look up.
There were qualities about her smile
and the peculiar expression Of her
eyes which gave me a momentary
thrill
DO you admire my pearls?'' she
asked softly.
They are very wonderful I ad-
mitted
She moved slowly away. I breathed
more easily as the distance increased
between us. She looked over her
shoulder unexpectedly, and I believe
that she realized my sensation. The
slight frown passed from her fore
head. She was obviously more con
tent.
Tell me how you propose to guard
my treasures, Sir Norman" she in
quired as she sank into an easy-chair.
Shall you stand behind my chair at
dinner, disguised as a waiter, and lie
on my mat at night? 1t gives one quite
a shivery sensation to think Of such
espionager'
Believe me" I assured her, Il shall
not be in the least obtrusive. I IN
derstand that you send your pearls
down every night to the hotel safe
Il have always done So" she an
better to keep them up here? VIII
you promise to set in this easy-chalr,
with a revolver on your knee, all
night, II I do?"
Not for the world I declared.
The hotel safe is much the better
place"
I am glad to hear your decision. ="
she said with a slight smile Il
should sleep very little If I thought
that my pearls We're near me-and
that you We're sitting here, on guard.
The idea would be disturbing"
"One cannot guard against mir.
acles.' I observed. but I think you
can make your mind quite easy about
the necklace. II you should need me
at any time the number OF my room
is 1872"
on this hoorY'
"On this floor"
Tell me, she asked little alb
ruptly as L rose to take my leave.
who was the man with whom you
were talking last night in the lounge
"A slim, middle-aged man with a very
hard face? I am always seeing him
in the lift. -
"A man I know scarcely anything
OF, I replied. His name, I believe,
is Stanheld. l once played golf with
him down at Working"
"Stanfield7" she repeated. Was it
in his grounds near Working that a
murder was committed-a policeman
was found shot there?"
[ nodded. II was playing with Mr.
Standeld ut the time, I told her.
And the murderer was never dis
covered?''
Never
L wonder YOU didn't take an in
terest in the case yourself" she re-
marked.
'I did" told her.
She made a little grimace
My fears for my necklace are re-
awakened" she declared. Surely 1t
ought to have been an easy task for
a clever man like you, one who used
to be called a really great detective,
to discover the murderer"
1T is beyond my powers to bring
him to justice, at any rate" I re
piled. There are many criminals
walking about today Of whose guilt
the police are perfectly we'll aware.
They cannot be arrested. however, for
lack Of evidence"
How thrillingr' she murmured.
"Will you ask me to dine with you
some night and tell me of your ad-
ventures?"
"I shall be happy to do So re-
piled. Meanwhile
She accepted my departure a little
Unwillingly. I am not a vain. man, and
I felt inclined to wonder at a certain
graciousness Of attitude on her part
which more than once during our in
terview had forced itself upon my no
tice.
Later about O'Clock q note was
brought into my room.
Dear Sir Norman,
A lady and her husband who were
dining. have disappointed me. Can
you. by any chance. be my guest? If
so, let us meet at o'clock in the
lounge. Hopefully yours,
BLANCHE DE MENDOZA.
I scrubbed a line Of acceptance. I
felt, as 1 descended into the lounge
that evening, a premonition that life
for the next few hours was going to
to be very interesting indeed.
At O'Clock, precisely, Mrs De Men
doza came into the lounge. She was
wearing a white lace evening dress.
with an errnine wrap which hung
loosely around her, disclosing the
pearls underneath. Her entrance
made a mild sensation. Mr.. Stanfield
who was seated in his accustomed cor
ner, drinking his cocktail. watched our