Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-24
BYH g.. BAILEY
of tn
OF the EmeadS

what do you mean?" Jimmy Mer.
ton stood over the little man.
He shook his head. Its a pity.
Jimmy, such a pity. I'm sorry.
What do you think Of the evidence,
Fortune?"
Curious features" Reggie mum.
bled. Every curious features"
'"They are. aren't they? don't
want to make a fuss. Jimmy. but you
see how it's gone. What do you mean
to do about it?''
do nothing"
Think again." said Gilrea gently
enough. while you and your sister
were out of the drawing room a
the jewel case. The empty case was
found in her room. Nobody wants a
fuss. But madam wants her jewels"
Madam started up. Jimmy Mer.
ton! All, Hilda" She made a ira gic
gesture. Miserable! 1t Is you.
Give me my jewels. Give me zem,
wretched. I do no more zen. 1 for.
give you"
That's the best way, Jimmy" said
Gilrea quietly.
"Begad, madam. that's very hand
some," the admiral cried. Come on,
sir. It's better luck than you de.
serve"
Yes, indeed. How splendid of you,
madam. Oh, Hilda, how dreadful of
you. Do tell him to so and get them"
"I:'s a lie," Hilda cried. Il know
nothing about her Jewels" She looked
at her brother anxiously.
Jimmy Merton stood there. flushed
and scowling. II never saw the case
till Fortune found it," he said.
Nine. Catalani flung up her hands
and called upon her saint.
I'm sorry" said Gilrea gravely.
IF you will have the police, I sup.
pose you must"
But we've got EN-" event cried.
"Mr. Fortune, forward. I say. you're
being bit coy. Fortune"
Eyes. I'm not official, you know.
I'm only friend of the family"
How nice OF you." Lady Marsh.
balloon beamed.
you don't deal with this sort of
thing, OF course" Gilrea agreed
Better telephone for the police. Ell?
The room will have to be searched
won't it?"
Yes. 1t is indicated" Mr.. Fortune
said slowly. But we've no right,
you know"
Quite so. Well. better get on the
telephone, Lady M. It's late enough
already" Gilrea was brisk.
Mr.. Fortune can search my room,
II he likes" said Hilda, staring de.
fiance at him.
Reggie shook his head smiling.
"Oh, no, no. Not me. I'm under
suspicion. I was the fellow who had
key to the room. I'll stay here.
Wen all stay here, while some blame.
less folks search. What about Gwent.
Miss Merton?"
II don't mind"
Il say, go easy" event flushed.
"Lady's job, what?'
Nine. Ia Generate rose. II will
go with you. II mademoiselle per-
mits."
Thanks very much, said Hilda.
Better search my things. too.
"Righto."
"One moment" said Mr.. Fortune.
1.-THE key" Gwent took it, found II
an ordinary bedroom key, and stared
at him. Yes. Quite So" Mr.. For.
tune smiled and opened the door for
Nine. la Generate. And that's that"
he murmured. as he sat down again.
THEY were a constrained company.
Even Lady Marshbaldon could
not talk. Mr.. Fortune turned his
chair to one Of the abandoned bridge
tables. took up the cards, began to
build house with them.
1t was house Of many stories be.
fore the searchers came back.
Nothing. Nothing at ALL" said
Nine. la Generate. a little flushed.
She swept across the room to Hilda
II was not surprised, mademoiselle,
/" and sat down beside her.
mot a sparkle" Gwent confirmed
her. Absolutely not"
Nine. Catalani lifted up her voice
and walled. But it was Gilrea who
was most surprised. He glared at
Gwent. he glared at Nine. La Generate,
he looked for somebody else to glare
at and found Lady Vera.
The card house fell with a futter.
Mr.. Fortune rose. Yes. You'll want
a new theory. won't you?" he said.
Gilrea took no notice. He stared
at Lady Vera. You were up there
alone" he said stridently. who was
it went into that room?'
Lady Vera gaZed at him with Won
der and fear in her big blue eyes.
1T was a man." she breathed.
That's all right. what?" Gwent
cried. Johnny pops in there with
the jewel case. locks the door. stuffs
the swag in his pockets. and skips
by the window. What about It,,
Fortune?"
"And locked the empty case before
he went?" said Reggie. you think
so?"
"Well. hang it, whoever pinched
the jewels did lock the case"
Eyes. Yes. That's what I've
pointed out" said Reggie patiently.
but it's most unprofessional."
What do you mean?" Gilrea cried.