Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-21

an instant to see what that something was
So cunningly had the man placed himself that
not only could he see her back fully from where
he stood, but by her reflection in the mirror he
could see every movement OF those deft, supple
fingers in front.
It was situation that was trying. But Ier.
tha's little shiver passed as soon as IL came, and
| In its place came determination. She would
balk him yet. II was determination that hard.
ened every muscle in her body.
She drew off her gloves with gusto By keep
! ing the palm of her left hand downward and
partially closed, there was possibility of the
detectives seeing the six diamonds, which rested
! in the feshy angle at the base of each finger and
thumb. Still, it was nerve-racking work. She
must pick up one Of the glass stones, pretend to
fit it in the brooch, and then releasing one of
the diamonds from between the fingers of her
left hand, tuck the false one back into the for
mer's place
And all the while the eyes of the detective
were burning into her back from the man himself
behind, and into her bosom from the reflected
eyes in front. glance at either of those pair
of eyes would have shattered her self-control
She restrained herself only by continual mean
ingess CALCULATIONS to the jewelry of "Oh isn't
that GEM" "What beauty" or "Isnt this
a dear| 1t gave certain vent to the feelings
that would otherwise have cost her self-posses.
sion.
But at last every stone was replaced. She per-
mtted herself the luxury of sigh of relief.
STILL there were three things she must do She
must rid herself of those six incrimnating glass
stones, she must throw the detective off her
track; and, last she must satisfy the jeweler for
not leaving her brooch to be reset For the
brooch was souvenir from another jewelry
house, too valuable to leave behind even to be
revenged upon private detective.
The three tasks she accomplished at stroke
She waited until the detective had stepped
pace forward-he was he had caught her
and the jeweler was reaching for the brooch,
when she gave little gasp Of dismay. Her
knees swayed beneath her; her right hand went
convulsively to her heart, and her eft-as the de-
tective leaped forward to catch her--caught in
the pocket of his coat. The detective was only
gallant enough 10 her to full length upon the
floor. But the jeweer more so.
"Quick some water" he exclaimed.
"Shut up, you fool" commanded the detective,
Fastening to the showcase; 'look at your dia-
monds"
The jewelers. chivalry vanished on the instant.
They're all here" he exclaimed, glancing fur
lively at the tray-"just eighteen"
"Fooll" Missed the detective, "look at them;
they've been changed.
Nervously excitedly both men examined every
stone Each one was genuine The detective
dropped back, darkening frown on his face.
The jewelers. chivalry returned
"Quick, now, get some water. Help me with
this lady. She's customer"
But the help appeared unnecessary. Bertha
appeared to have anticipated it, and sitting
up glancing about in dazed manner.
Tf you will kindly help me to my carriage,
she said family, "I'll drive home. The air will
revive me-.
"I beg of you not to- protested the diamond
merchant, assisting her to rise. you must stay
here. I will call doctor. will get you some
thing to take"
"No, no." insisted Bertha 81 am all right
now. 1t was only dizzy feeling. Just take me
to my carriage"
The jeweler had become inoculated with too
much good breeding to persist He helped her
to the cushioned seat and closed the door. The
carriage drove away.
The detective, ON the merchants return, was
brooding heavily, and deep frown shadowed his
brow. He was deeply perturbed, apparently in
brown study. His face was dark with frowns.
Finally, he thrust his clenched fists into his coat
pockets, and started, as if to pace about.
He had taken but few steps when he stopped.
Something hard had pricked the clenched
knuckles in his right coat pocket He scooped
the something up, and extended the open palm
before the astonished eyes of both himself and
the jeweler. There were six seeming diamonds.
The jeweler almost jumped In fact, he did
jump-at conclusions.
$50 that's your camel" he exclaimed, with
sudden, convincing suspicion.
There was burglar alarm at the front of the
shop. He started towards it, There was also
an open door at the front. The detective started
towards that. Before the little lever which rang
the bell at the police station could be pulled
down the detective outside the door. He
swung on a car that passing nearly at full
speed
OF course, he could explain to the jeweler and
the police. But what would be the use? There
was nothing to ncriminate the girl. And he
he had been seen with the goods on him.