The Golden Rose by Fred M. White — Read

Lethbridge's first impulse was to call to the girl and ask her where the flower came from and how it was in her possession. But his prudence had not entirely deserted him, and when he was removed from the glamour of those dark eyes his common sense began to assert itself again. The discovery was in the nature of a shock. It didn't take him long to agree that the girl must be innocent, or she would never have displayed the beautiful flower in so unconcerned a fashion. She made no secret of it, for she had opened the door sufficiently wide for Lethbridge or anyone else to see into the caravan, a thing she would never have done in suspicious circumstances. In all probability, scores of persons must be aware of the existence of that splendid blossom, which so far as Lethbridge knew to the contrary was the only specimen of the kind in Europe. It was possible, of course, that Jasper Payn's Rose still bloomed in some secluded corner, but it was not to be supposed that this was the same plant.

Nevertheless, Lethbridge had his doubts. He began to wonder why it was that Vava was so anxious to get Murshee out of the way. Was she too in the conspiracy to obtain the Golden Rose? Was she also one of the daring, expert thieves, prepared to take any risks to secure the precious object? On the face of it the facts were against her, but, on the other hand, she was making no effort to conceal the unique flower which had in the last few days cost a human life in the person of Jasper Payn.