Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21

LII DeC you a lOX scarf Ryan ulOI .
steal those pearls" said Doll.
We've been on the case week now, -
Hector reminded her. II guess that
gives us right to an opinion 1t must
have been well cooked plot, getting that
$3.50 900 string out of the best guarded jewelry
store on Fifth avenue. And I won't say the
Brownings were there for nothing"
You're never really told me about II, - said
Doll.
Hector proceeded to outline the Fontelle
pearl robbery. 1t happened about 10 in the
morning Out back, where Fontele kept his
very precious gems. loudly dressed couple
argued as they paved over strings OF pearls
which Mr.. Ryan had laid out on a velvet
cushion. MRS. Browning, fox faced, seemed
indifferent.
Suddenly, Mrs. Brownings face went chalky
white, her lips blue; she fell against the show
case and as she sank to the floor her husband
cried out. shes got bad hearth"
"And when she came to, one string was
gone" Hector continued. They were known as
the Dewchester pearls. Fontelle ordered the
doors closed and called our ONCE. u Brown
ings put up an awful kick but we tsidn't find
O pearl on EN-"
Weren't there any other people there?"
asked Doll
Eyes. There, were two very prominent people
back in the pearl department. Judge Landseer
you know-the big law firm, LandSeer, BOWL
and IAndseer. He came in with an elderly LADY
who's just about as prominent as he Is MRS.
Nathan rockingham"
"Oh, you mean the one who makes speeches
for the Milk Fund and organizes day nurseries
and"
GGCHE'S the widow Of Supreme Court Justice
rockingham. She's been dealing with
Fontelle's now for over 80 years. But she and
the judge were all for being searched. She
said 1t wouldn't be fair to the Brownings, If
hay Ralf
such thing"
so you think poor Mr.. Ryan did it?"
why shouldn't ~" Haven't had our best
men trailing him? Haven't our ropers sat in
at his poker games and night club blowouts?
When man trusted with great wealth starts
hitting the night life, gambling. getting into
debt, he's going to default or steal before he
gets through with it."
what makes you feel so sure the Brownings
didn't take the pearls?" insisted Doll.
People don't do things without a motive"
replied Hec. I'VE have evidence that Browning
has just cleaned up fortune on the Street
and promised his wife a present. And her
doctor told us she really has heart attacks"
Just the same" said Doll, I'm bet Mr..
Ryan didn't do it."
Doll was demonstrating to the cook that
grease and soup are not identical when she
suddenly dropped a graniteware spoon. For
she had been thinking about Ehe Dewchester
pearls. and her reasoning had progressed like
this: It's fairly safe to bet it isn't Mr.. Ryan,
but maybe it is. Then there are the Brownings.
II Mr.. Browning is really rich and Mrs. Brown
ing has chronic fainting spells-well that ought
to let them out. And Judge Landseer. OF
course, Judge Landseer's a public man and
public men don't steai-not in that crude way,
anyhow.
But who's the most improbable person Of all?
Mrs. rockingham. Her high family connec-
tons and tireless doing Of good deeds put her
way above suspicion. And, reasoned Doll, IL
this MRS. rockingham is as nice as they think
she is she'll do lot to help. If she's not,
she'll bear watching.
Doll looked her up in the telephone book. 1t
would have been safe to telephone and make
some sort of fictitious appointment but Doll
decided to walk and consider expedients on her
way When she reached the tall brick build
ing, a stroke of luck saved her from announcing
herself as an organizer of immigrant girls
homes. Are you the lady wishing TO look at
Mrs. Frothingham's apartment" asked uni
formed man as soon she mentioned Mrs.
FTothingham's name.
why, yes, am" This was too good to be
true She had herself announced as Mrs.
Case"
So MRS. rockingham had suddenly decided
to move! An apple-faeed German woman
opened the door of &c and showed Doll into
wide room.
"Mys Case?" A warmth in the question
seemed 10 breathe . Wholesome air into the