The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-02
CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHAPTER XIX

CHATTER XIX
 It was a curious assembly of the Empress passengers in the main lounge. They still wore their ridicu- lous costumes, but with the mirth gone from their faces, the spectacle was depressing. In a beWildering moment, the atmosphere of light hearted friyolity had been dispersed like smoke before the wind; now the air was heavy with concern. People squirmed uneasily in their seats and looked at each other with yelled suspicion in their eyes.
 Captain Boyer stood behind a small flat-top desk at the en- trance to the lounge and fumbled nervously among some papers, while the purser standing along side of him checked on a long list the names of passengers as they entered the room. Mrs. OHara sat directly in front of the table, white-faced and trembling with grim indignation. By her side sat her husband, obviously worried and ill at ease.
 Satisfied that every passenger was present and accounted for, Captain Boyer rapped for atten- tion. He did it unnecessarily, for every eye in the room was upon him.
 Ladies and gentlemen" he be- gan. T deeply regret the neceS- sity for demanding your presence here, but very serious loss has been reported by one of our pas sengers. Upon returning to her stateroom a few minutes ago, Mrs. O'Hara discovered that all of her jewels, which she estimates at some thirty thousand dollars, had disappeared.
 There were gasps of astoniSh- ment, then a moment of lncredu- lous silence. Thirty thousand dol lars! Captain Boyer paused, to let the importance of this fact sink in,
 Why the devil should she bring such load of jewelry along with her?" Dick whispered irritably.
 By getting together lmme- diately," the captain went on, T hope that we may hear something of interest while the events of tEN evening are still fresh in our minds He spoke slowly, hesitat- ing a bit after every few words, as if he were playing for time.
 Presently, as Joyce glanced through the doorway, she under stood why. Down the long corrl- dor on "A" deck she could see the stewards slipping quietly and cautiously from one stateroom to another. Now, while all the pas sengers were gathered in the lounge, their rooms were being searched!
 Mrs. OHara. will you please tell us exactly when you last saw your jewelry, and when you dis covered the loss?"
 She stood up and spoke with viz orous anger. Her face was picture of outraged fury, framed in an ab- surd mass of bobbing curls, and oyershadowed by wilted gardenla.
 My jewels were in a brown alli- gator bag, she reported, and Joyce remembered seeing her carry 1t as she came up the gangWay that first night q locked it securely when we left our stateroom to come to the lounge. It was exactly quar- ter past nine at that time. Half an hour ago, at ten minutes to ten, when I returned to the room for something, the bag was gone!"
 The captain coughed discreetly, q am curious to know, Mrs. O'Hara, why you left so valuable a collection unguarded in your cabin. You know that we ask the passengers to deposit such things with the purser, to be locked in the safe"
 T planned originally to wear my jewels this evening"" Mrs. O'Hara replied pompously. When I changed my mind and went back to the pursers office, found it closed for the night"
 "When you went back to the room this last time, did you sec anybody in the corridor? Anyone who might have been in your room?
 An instant later he was to re- gret the question.
 The woman took a long, deep breath; she pursed her lips in the grim manner of one who flndS an inner glory in revealing some ter rible fact. Not then" she said. But only few minutes before I saw a young woman hurryln9 to the ladies lounge, very sus- piciously, and she was hiding something in the folds of her cos tune"
 Joyce felt her heart contract
 Mrs. O'Hara's black eyes were darting among the passengers seeking her out. There she IS noW!" she announced. pointing to Joyce. That person over there dressed like a Salem Witch!'
 Dick was on his feet in an in stant. q beg your pardon, Cap tain Boyer" he shouted in qulcE resentment. This is going too far ."
 "Of course, MT Hamilton. The captains voice was weary. Mrs, O'Hara is making no accusations If the young lady will eXplan-
 Joyce stood up, her cheeks fam ing and so unnerved that she thought her legs would not sustain her weight. But she held her chin up, and her voice carried bravely and clearly across the lounge, as she tried to explain. Her costume had come apart; she was hurrying to fix it. She was holding it together, ------------------------
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