The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-08-18
.fIlNEaN MONEY zs:::siI|


 1 turn at the sound. They were alone
 in the house except for the ser7 wants on the top floor. Mona, aa aiways. had disnnissed her maid be- cause it seemed 90 ally to keep
 her about just to lay out night
 gown.
 The windows looked out on a tiny, irOn-fenced balcony. The cur
 tains were moving ana. instantly alert, the two girls held their 1 breath.
 The flowing silk parted and a
 man, young rather and not bad looking, appeared. Don't get scared! Don't get scare6." he said. T ain't here to
 hurt anybody. I'm here to get the Townsend jewels" His tone was almost friendly.
 "And don't try ringing for a ser- want, either," he advised. taking a step nearer. Nobody will answer.
 They're all out" The young man was entirely at his ease. Inviting Mona to be seated, he took an easy chair.
 elf you know so much about the household" Mona began, "then you
 know haven't any jewels to speak
 of. You know" He grinned broadly. "Give me the ones you don't talk about then" He removed a silver cigaret case from his pocket and Tipped it open. Smoke" The girls declined. The stranger selected cigaret, lighted 1t and puffed as if he were there for the evening.
 But he was in rather more of a hurry than had at first appeared.
 Now then," he said briskly, where's the safer" Without speaking Mona moved to f the wall, pushed aside tapestry, twirled dial and flung open a
 small door. The safe was empty. II told you had no jewels," she
 said. My husband is saving them
 for the opera"
 The man eyed her. Are you sure
 of that?"
 She nodded coolly.
 Well, where does he keep
 them?"
 "In safe deposit vault, I sup pose down town. I've never seen them. I've nveer been interested" "No?" It was difficult to believe l this young man was a thief. He
 surveyed the situation as though 1t were humorous. Ut appears we're both new at the game--you at owning gems and me at ac- quiring them. Bad racket for both
 of us. maybe. We'll. if you haven't got them, that's that. But where is the chain you were wearing
 when I looked through the win-
 Lottie threw an astonished gazes at Mona's throat where an instant
 Defore Steve's diamonds had gleamed.
 "There!" Mona indicated jewel
 case on the dressing table. The man opened the box, held up a string of imitation pearls. dear to Mona's heart, a ring or two she had owned for years, and then the thin diamond chain. "If you wanted to hide 1t why didn't you do a better job?" he asked. Have you got thes Enipress?v The words were like a bomb. Mona stared back at him.. Steve sold the Empress" she
 said quickly. 'tYou must know that
 if you follow the market" ."Sure, he sold 1t. Don't you know who bought it?" Lottie and Mona. looked at him
 blankly. The man seemed delighted with the effect of his words. Well" he said, your husband
 bought it. He bought it for you. to
 show how kind-hearted he is and
 to make his nephew sore. The deal
 went through yesterday and we
 thought you'd be playing with the sparkler." He turned toward the window. Don't move. don't move," he said | smoothly as the girls started to- ward him. 'I'll let myself out,
 thanks. No trouble! And thanks
 again for these little trinkets.
 They'll be a help. You won't miss
 them with the Empress to play with"
 As his head disappeared through the curtains he grinned again. I'll
 be seein' you!' Instantly he was gone. "Mona," Lottie whispered, "he
 can't be real crook! Why didn't you stall him? You didn't have to give him those diamonds!" The other girl put a finger to her lips and shook her head fnysteri-
 ously.. What's the difference if I am to have the Empress?" she
 asked. I'm tired now. I'm going to bed"
 Half trembling, the girls un- dressed swiftly, loath to put out the i lights. ,"You didn't need to give him Steve's diamonds, Min." 'Lottie re- i peated a little later. Mona squeezed hef hand. You
 goose!" She kissed Lottie affec- tionately. didn't. But I'm going to give them to you. When that
 burglar came in I dropped the chain and rolled it up with pair
 of stockings. He went away with the paste chain I had made last week."