The Argosy — page 304: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Missing Rubies. 285 her husband about it, night and day. When his health failed, he began to desire a little peace. And at last he gave her the supposed necklace just before he died.” ‘Then it was not the real thing?” You shall hear. I accompanied the Countess and her daughter to her old home in Fairbridge, and a duller time I never spent. Her sisters, a couple of innocent old ladies, succumbed to her imperious temper without even a struggle. No one fought with her ; no one contradicted her. Saints! It was a life that made the blood stagnate in the veins! You know her nephew, that unfortunate Earle? You are interested in him?” ‘‘ Deeply interested.” «She detested him. She always wanted Canon Earle to alter his will, and leave Meadow House to herself. Somehow she had found out that he had left it to Godwin, and that was enough to make her the young man’s enemy. Looking back on the events of that time, I am inclined to believe that she entrusted him with the necklace because she hated him. Anyhow, she bragged about the rubies till her sisters were afraid for them to remain in her keeping. And then Godwin took charge of them.” Pauline paused, and took a flask of eau de Cologne from the table near. She poured some upon her handkerchief, and bathed her face before she proceeded with her story. ‘When he had taken the thing into his care, I conceived the idea of stealing it. I had always had a passion for jewels, and I argued that there was no sin in taking from the Countess that which her husband had stolen from a countryman of mine. Poor Godwin, who trusted everybody in the house, had told the aunts in my hearing that he had locked up the necklace in a strong box in his room. I watched my opportunity, and it came. I think the opportunities for doing ‘evil are just those that are sure to come !” Again she paused, and pressed her hands to the cheeks that were now deeply flushed. “In those days Godwin Earle was in love with a certain Alma Lindrick, a near neighbour. In the beginning it was a bread-and- butter love, I think, and must have begun when they were both in pinafores. She was the kind of girl that I, as a woman, detest ; and I am convinced that I should have detested her quite as much if I had been a man. Cold—intensely correct—exceedingly common- place! Well, he loved her then; and one evening, his aunt Jane contrived that the two should be alone together in the back drawing- room. Of course, the lover was absorbed in his sweetheart! It was my business to pour out coffee after dinner; and, as I knew something of the use of drugs, I put into Godwin’s cup enough to ensure him a night’s sound sleep.” Vordenberg was silent, and she went on: “It is surprising what anybody may do in a confiding English comicoooKks (SO) an