Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-11
Magazine Section


it was full second before l could
move. Then fairly ran into the house.
When picked up the phone, my hand
trembled, but managed fairly COM
posed Hello"
His voice came back instantly, low
pitched and strained Chris, some
thing rather bad has happened" he
said. You know that ruby pendant,
the one we were talking about? Well,
it was stolen last night" he went on.
II wanted you to know, so that you
can keep a good poker face when it
comes out. It's just as well not to
advertise our having been in that
room"
Obj l said family WAS it taken
from the room"
so my aunt says" he replied. "She
had left it on the dressing table. and
when she came upstairs to look for it,
it was gone"
But how about the person who
came in!' cried. THE one who took
the money!"
What money!"
when we came in," l explained,
there was some money - noticed it
and when we left. it was gone. The
person who -"
That was my aunt" he interrupted
me. II saw her going down the hall
Just as | opened the door for you. No.
the jewel was stolen earlier, because
that was when she missed it."
I'm terribly sorry! said. What
are you going to do"
Turn the place upside down" he
said grimly. ITS not like an ordinary
loss, as you know. I'm going into the
investigation thoroughly myself, and
may be tied up all day. But you'll
understand, won't you? I'll call you
again later if anything develops. and
see you tomorrow sure"
For several moments after had
hung up the receiver, sat in daze.
The yellow feather, the three thousand
dollars, the fiat refusal of the Duchess
to sell Marcia the pendant all linked
themselves into a chain of thought
which was neither pleasant nor loyal.
buried my face in my hands trying
to shake off this puzzle whose pieces
fitted together so readily, and as did
so Marcia herself came in and closed
the door behind her. Something in her
attitude got me to my feet, instinc-
.tively on the defensive.
"Christophiner she said sharply.
This has gone far enough. You've
got to stop it, or you and I are
through"
Stop what?" asked.
Exactly what you've been doing
just now" said she, going behind my
back and dating up my friends.
thought hired you to help me marry
title and ever since we've been here,
all you've done is make things diff
ficult for me. won't have it,"
you didn't hire me to do any such
thing. l came with you to be your
companion and to help safeguard you,
at the request of an old man whom l
loved and respected"
Don't stall around" she flashed.
"You know perfectly we'll what Pm
, talking about. You're spelling my
chances with Prince Mario and MAX
ing fool of yourself. doing it. You
needn't be such an idiot as to think
you'll get anywhere with him, because
his aunt and have practically come
to an understanding about the
settlement"
AS I said nothing to this, Marcia
took a turn about the room. putting
viciously at her cigarette and then,
stopping directly in front of me, blazed
out at me again: II want Mario, and
I'm going to have him. AS long as you
are around, I'm handicapped. I'm
honest enough to admit that. How far
has it gone - has he said anything?"
No." l admitted.
Then that's THAR she declared,