The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-10-09

| Copyrisht b. Little. Brown and C.
ZION see lhat:' he exclaimed trag-
ically. THAT belonged to Pauline
to Mademoiselle de Poniere And that
marquise ring below am perfectly
certain her aunt was wearing. Wait
a moment, old fellow
Gerald entered the shop hastily. A
very suave Frenchman came forward
to meet him.
Can you tell me anything about
that pearl necklace and the rings be-
iow?" Gerald inquired.
But certainly. SIR the man replied.
'One moment"
He unfasiened the window and
brought ont the stand on which the
necElace rested. The color of the
pearls was wonderful They were not
large. hut they had an almost pink
glow.
Il have no doubt monsieur is
judge and ] need say little about these
pearls. the shopman began II would
point out to you, however. that they
were matched for royalty itself, and
the quality of each one Is superIative.
If monsieur is a purchaser. could
quote him seven thousand pounds, and
for that sum there is not such another
necklace in the world"
Il recognize the necklace" Gerald
admitted. ~ might. under certain cir.
cumstances, he induced 10 buy Il. I
came I'm, however 30 as.; ron how you
obtained possession of il. and the rings
below?"
The mans manner changed.
Monsieur" he said II am not able
to explain exactly how this jeweiry
came into our hands. There are GER
tain condolences which, In the interests
or our clients, We are forced to re-
spect."
Quite So" Gerald agreed, .'but can
assure you that am not an imperti-
neni inquirer. This ID my name"-he
handed the man a card-"and I was
an acquaintance of Mademoiselle de
Poniere. from whom you must have OBJ
tanned this necklace. last saw Ma
dame and Mademoiselle de Poniere
under very tragfcal circumstances, and
understand that they have now left
Monte Carlo. am most anxious to
obtain word as TO their whereabouts"
Il regret deeply that ! am entirely
powerless In the matter. Milford" the
man replied.
Gerald held up the pearls and let
them slip through his fingers. He re-
membered something which Pauline
had once said to hin-"Pearls are the
maidens' children. They love and care
for them as such.''
Il have reason to surmise." Gerald
went on. "thai misfortune has be-
fallen these ladies. If they had confid-
ed in me, il would have given me the
greatest pleasure to have offered them
assistance"
The jeweler smiled inscrutably.
Il fear that II would have been use
less. MILFORD" he said. 81 have had the
privilege Of knowing the elder of these
ladies for some thirty years and sup
piled the arst string OF pearls which
the younger lady ever wore. at the
time Of her confirmation. I would WILL
ingly have undertaken the payment Of
such debts as were owing In Monte
Carlo. without security. but I should
never have had the courage to suggest
It, You will see an announcement In
the evening paper. Milford, that Ill
claims against the ladies' Will be set
tied by me on demand"
If L buy the necklace" Gerald pro-
nnAAA h1nnf1vy sSvsye11
and where to find Mademoiselle de Pc
niere?"
The jewelers. bow was almost frigid.
MY word is passed to these two
ladies, Milford. ! have no information
to give you.' y.
You cannot even tell me what rela-
ton they were to Monsieur Zubin?"
"There Is no question of relationship.
Milford. Monsieur Zubin was. I under
stand. the steward entrusted with the
realisation Of certain properties be-
longing to mademoiselle. I do not
know whether ! have u right even to 1
say 30 much" he continued. after q
moments hesitation, but II suggests
Itself that 1t was owing to Monsieur
Zubin's embezzlements-he Is reported
to have lost several millions at the
tables here-that the ladies whom we
have been discussing found themselves
temporarily embarrassed
Gerald laid down tire pearls.
III you care to keep these for me
for a week." he proposed. "until get
the money from London. will have
them"
The man bowed
Milford can take them with him."
he said. "Or permit me to send them
to the hofei. Payment can he as de-
sired"
~ have committed an extrava.
gance, Gerald confessed. as the two
young men continued their stroll. II
have given seven thousand pounds for
a pearl necklace"
"Great Scottl Why?"
Because I was right In my sur.
mise. II was Pauline's necklace. left
there so that they could pay their