Eleanor H. Porter

“ Marjorie, in spite of her twenty-four years and accredited dignity, was a bit of a child at heart, and this aggregation of many-shaped, many-sized packages to greet her waking eyes was the nearest approach to her childhood's dearly-loved stocking-hanging that she could devise.
Upon this particular Christmas morning the table was crowded with boxes, and the boxes were crowded with good things; yet all faded into colorless insignificance when Marjorie's pink thumb pressed the spring on the round, leather-covered box and disclosed the diamond necklace. ”

“ Aunt Helen—a maiden aunt, whose millions it was supposed would one day fall to Marjorie—replied at once with a stilted little note. Its words merely told Marjorie that no diamond necklace had been sent from “The Maples”; but its air of distinct disapproval told more that, in the writer's opinion, a young woman who was so overjoyed at the acquisition of frivolous gewgaws was scarcely a fit young person to have charge of great wealth. Certain it is that Marjorie, after reading the note, cast about in her mind for the names of her cousins—now possible heirs to her aunt's money. ”

“ The necklace had been made to order from a very peculiar design, and was thus the more easily recognized if seen. A private detective of the jewelry firm, while at the opera, discovered the gems on the neck of a young and beautiful woman—a member of one of New York's most exclusive families. Inquiry disclosed the fact that the necklace had been received among other Christmas presents, and that the fair recipient had been for weeks vainly searching for some one to thank for her princely gift. ”

“ On the other hand, if he had sent it, it must be returned at once, of course, and——
“Well,” suggested the man, with an elaborate air of patience, “evidently it's a weighty matter.”
“It is,” she retorted; then, a little hysterically: “I'll tell you, we'll play it's a game! I'll guess it. You shall describe it by answers to my questions. Is it pretty?” ”