Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-29
GEORGE:
BARTON
w

-, stolen, the second was notiflca-
,,on that Bill Snyder, smuggler, had
called from Cherhourg on the Syl-
yania, Naturally the chief had put the
,u,o shreds together and expected to
null off the trick without struggle.
But the sylvania had arrived ana
SNYDER was not on the passenger list.
no sapphires had been declared, and
,ne examination of the baggage, now
almost completed, disclosed no gems
barnes bit his lips vexatiously. The
Versailles sapphires were numbered
among the wrold's greatest gems. The
thought of permitting them to SLIP
through his fingers was maddenng. AT
one time they had ranked with the state
levels Of France. Their distinction
came not so much through their value
although that was more than $4,000
.-as from their perfection. The cut
was the finest ever turned out by
Iapdary. They were known to gem
experts as the Blue Corniower. The
cut Of each stone made an opalescent
star of six rays, which, held IN a GER
tain light, glittered like pure dla-
monds. There were forty perfect
stones In the necklace, none less than a
carat and Il half.
Barnes determined TO make a second
tour Of the boat, and in the course OF
his wanderngs came within the rays
of pair OF piercing black eyes. The
owner Of the bright orbs raised "a small
white manicured hand. very much be-
rlnged and drew II across narrow
forehead The next moment the same
hand YEARLY stroked luxurlant black
mustache betraying by the move
ment, two rows of even, white gllsten-
ing teeth. He was one of a little
group. which, besides himself, included
a young man and young woman and
an elderly person who might have been
AS she was--the aunt of the girl
Barnes quickly learned, through the
captain Of the boat, that the stout,
elderly person was Mrs. Harrington
a widow, with comfortable income,
whose consuming ambition was 10 wed
her niece, Elsie, to a title. The young
man was John Hasson. a strong limbed,
clean faced American lawyer The
man with the piercing black eyes was
addressed as the Count de Vontain.
Sea voyages are conducive to quick
intimacies. Hence the captain Of the
Syvania was able to tell many things
10 the chief of the customs. The most
entertaining was the fact that the mo-
bleman and the lawyer were keen RI
walls for the affections Of Elsie Har-
rington. 1t did not require second
sight to discover that the girl loved
the American, and that the count was
the aunts choice. Indeed she had
taken the girl abroad year betors
in the hope OF breaking on the attach
ment with Hasson, but fate or the per-
sistence and ingenuity OF love sinlt-
ten young man had decreed that the
two should return TO the United states
on the same vessel
After learning these things Barnes
devoted his attention exclusively to the
little party. The girl was unmistak-
ahlv beautiful she was tall ana
slender. with great brown eyes and q
whimsical droop Of the mouth, which
looked as IL II might, instantaneously,
turn either to sadness or to laughter.
Hasson gazed al her with a look or
alteration. The older woman and the
count stepped aside for a moment. I'M
rnedlately the young man grasped the
girl by the hand.
"Elsie." he exclaimed. with sigrllh-
cant squeeze.
Her white face crimsoned; the droop-
ing mouth suggested JOY.
cried.
Mrs. Harrington returned with the
count. Elsie and John discreetiy
gazed into space. The count looked
furrIed. He wore the fashionable
trimmed cloak and the high silk hat
with fat brim popularity associated with
Frenchmen of the higher class. lie be-
gan to talk with the aunt In animated
tones. In the meantime Barnes had
been attending to routine business
keeping the group In sight, always.
Presently he summoned Con clancy,
his assistant. to his side.
Have the count and the ladies made
out their papers,?
yes"
did they declare any gems?
"No."
Make the investigation OF their bag
gage rigid. After that make care
full examination Of the counts state
room"
The buzz OF expectation was every
where. This thought OF home caused
the travellers to bubble over with eager
good humor. The ships officers ran
about hurriedly, performing the last
civillties to those who had been their
guests for more than six days Inc
chief was standing on little pat
form directing the disposition OF the
luggage, when some one grasped inc
sIeeve OF his coat. He looked around.
The count was by his side, his small
eyes exuding Indignation.
You are the chief Inspector ne
querled In marvellously good English;
II have that honor was the piahd
reply, 49, r,,d
81 q
out OF our trunks u.,>
Not Ringing, surely WIN ii'''e
laugh.
We'll. emptying 'em out"
That's why they're here, was the
good natured rejoinder. :,
but" protestingly, this sort OF exl
animation is most unusual the bag
gage Is always examined without TAX
ing It out OF the trunks
mot always" corrected the cnlel'
"In this instance we hope TO expedite
your landing by finishing the WORK Ia
n systematic manner
"Oh," said the count disappointed,
ly. "Then the men have been ordereu
yes" said Barnes, with queer
look. Then very slowly, Count 'hls
isn't your first voyage over. .s
How do you know? angrlly asNe''
the man, his face Gushing. ~
because" ironically, you're 50 Wen !.
posted on American customs business;
The count made no reply 10 this
thrust. but irritably stalked away u,
The sylvania's deck was crowded
with friends and relatives OF me mere. re-
turning tourists waving handler r,
chiefs frightened the scene, SHOUTS VI
fecopnition floated across the roped
of portion of the pier.
Clancy approached the chief, VINO was !.
absently listening TO the complaint Oh y
passenger who could NOT locs'e i ~
trunk. Barnes instantly stepped aslue
to hear from his assistant. Clancy
wasted no time In prellminaries.
IT'S no use" he exclaimed IN WINS
nered voice II can't find the sap
phlres I'VE searched everywhere
And the stateroom; you didn't Tor.
get that" reminded the chief. speakirs
10 the INSPECTOR, but gazing IN tent'y ,i
the direction OF Count de Vontaine ana
IN. iadiaq