New-York tribune., 1906-10-21

on it 1t wasn't any half hearted insist
ence either Tor IN the words OF Herbert Conway
one OF the Yards chief operators he was smooth
so smooth that he made ice feel like sandpaper"
Leighton went everywhere. At those functions
where the highest IN the social world met there was
LelShlon. lie was on every matron 5 selected list
OF guests, a charming addition to any gathering
Scotland Yard knew this OF course. 1t may have
been only the mereSt chance that he always
present at those functions where valuable Jewels
had been lost or mislad' Yet Scotland Yard
did not regard il as chance That it did not was
another compliment TO Leighton.
From deep down in its innermost conscience.
Scotland Yard looked up to Leighton the master
mind, II not the actual vital instrument in long
series OF battling jewel robberies. There was a
1nesse and delIcaCy, not to mention regularity
about these robberles that annoyed Scotland Yard.
! et believing all this. Scotland Yard had never
been so ndiscreet to mention the matter to Leigh
ton. As matter of fact, Scotland Yard had never
seen its way clear to mentioning anyone
Conway, perhaps, more nearly expressed the opin-
ion OF Scotland Yard in few brief remarks than
could at greater length He's d crook, and the
enthusiastically. He got the Hemingway Jewels.
the Cheltenham bracelet, and the Quex sinners all
any good merely knowing II. | can't put a finger
on him. because he's too blooming smooth. | think
I've got him, and then-I haven't"
This was before the Narron necklace affair.
When that remarkable episode came to be known
to Scotland Yard. COnWayS admiration for Leighton
increased imneas,lrablv He knew that LEIGHTON
the responsible one-he knew it in his head
and heart-but that was all. He gnaWed his scrubby
ustache tercey and set to work to prove it, feeling
beforehand that il a vain task
The absolute simplicity of the thing-and in this
it was ike the others-was its most pulling feature.
Lady NarrOn had rendered reception to one of the
foreign Ambassadors at her London house. On this
occasion she wore the famous Varron necklace It's
intrinsic value said to be forty thousand
pounds; associations made 1t priceless. She was
dancing with the visiting Ambassador when she
slipped the smooth floor and fell, dragging him
down with her. Leighton chanced be of
those nearest, and rushed to her assistance. In
instant Lady Narron and the Ambassador the
center of a little group. 1t was Leighton who lifted
Lady Narron TO her feet
= is nothing" she assured him smiling uncer-
tainly. 4 little awkward that all
Leighton turned to assist the Ambassador, but
found him standing again and putting inordinately,
then turned back to Lady Narron You dropped
your necklace he remarked blandly.
Lady Narrons white hand flew her bare .
throat, and She paled a little Leighton and
Others of the group stood back to look for the :
ornament. 1t was not to be seen.
Lady Earron controlled herself admirably. 1t
must have fallen somewhere, she said finally.
Are YOU sure YOU had it on asked another
guest SOICitOusly.
Oh, yes" she replied positively; but l may
have dropped it somewhere else"
90 | noticed il just before you've fell, said the
Ambassador. 1t must be here
But it wasn't. In that respect-that is, visible
rlon-existence- resenbled the Cheltenham brace
let. Leighton had, on that OCCASION strolied Out
On the lawn at night with the Hon Miss Chelten-
ham and she had dropped the bracelet. That was
all. 1t was never found.
In this Varron affair it would be useless go into
details OF what Immediately followed the loss OF the
necklace 1t IS sufficient to say that It was not
found. that and women stared at each other
IN beWildered embarrassment and mutual suSplconi
and that finally Leighton Int1mated courteousy,
tactiully that personal search OF her guests would
Leighton was seconded heartily by the Ambassa-
dor, but the search not made and the reception
proceeded.
H.. IL, N.-yI yI,s-as