You have heard of the great robbery and of my dreadful fright. But
there is no use crying about it. It is one of those dreadful
things, I suppose, that simply _have_ to happen. The burglar was
smooth-shaven. How awful that this should have to happen in Aiken
of all cities. In Aiken where we never have felt hitherto that it
was ever necessary to lock the door. I suppose Mr. Powell's nice
hardware store will do an enormous business now in patent bolts.
Papa is going to offer five thousand dollars' reward for the return
of my jewels, and no questions asked. Do you know, I have a
feeling that you are going to be instrumental in finding the stolen
goods. I have a feeling that the thief (if he has any sense at all)
will negotiate through you for their return. And I am sure the
thief would never have taken them if he had known how badly it
would make me feel, and what a blow he was striking at the good
name of Aiken.