Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-30
GEORGE
BARTON

NerHfH ebrated Versailles sapphires set
AAisAS in a splendid necklace had
been stolen; the second was a notification
that Bill Snyder, smuggler, had sailed
from Cherbourg on the sylvanla. Natu-
rally the chief had put the two shreds
together and expected to pull off the trick
without struggle
But the Sylvania had arrived and Sny-
der was not on the passenger list. No
sapDhires had been declared, and the ex-
animation Of the baggage, now almost
completed disclosed no gems. Barnes bit
his lips vexatlously. The Versailles sap
phlres were numbered among the worlds
greatest gems. The thought of permitting
them to slip through his fingers was mad
dening. At one time they had ranked
with the state Jewels OF France Their
distinction came not so much through
their value-although that was more than
20,OO0-as from their perfection. The cut
was the finest ever turned out by n lap
diary They were known TO gem experts
as the blue corndower. The cut OF each
stone made an opalcscent star Of six rays.
which. held in certain light. gllttered
like pure diamonds. There were forty per-
feet stones in the necklace, none less than
a carat and half
Barnes determined to, make a second
tour of the boat. and in the course OF
his wanderings came within the rays Of a
pair of piercing black eyes. The owner
of the bright orbs raised a small white
manicured hand, very much beringed. and
drew il across narrow forehead. The
next moment the same hand YEARLY
stroked a luxurlant black mustache, be-
traying by the movement two rows OF
even, white, glistening teeth He one
of a little group which, besides himself.
Cd nd n
and an elderly person who might have
been-as she was--the aunt Of the girl.
Barnes quickly learned through the cap
tain of the boat that the stout elderly
person was Mrs. Harrington, a widow,
with comfortable income, whose consum-
ing ambition was to wed her niece, Elsie.
to a title. The young man was John Has
son. a strong-limbed, clcan-faced Ameri-
can lawyer. The man with the piercing
black eyes was addressed as the Count de
Vontain.
Sea voyages are conducive to quick in
tlmacies. Hence the captain OF the syl-
vanla was able to tell many things to the
chief of the customs. The most enter
tanning was the fact that the nobeman
and the lawyer were keen rivals for the
affections of Elsie Harrington. 1t did not
require a second sight to discover that the
girl loved the American, and that the
count was the aunt's choice. Indeed she
had taken the girl abroad a year before
in the hope of breaking off the attach
ment with Hasson but fate or the per-
sistence ana ingenuity of "A love smltton
young man had decreed that the two should
return to the United States on the same
vessel
After learning these things, Barnes de-
voted his attention exclusively to the little
party. The girl was Enthusiastically beauu-
full She was tall and slender. with great
brown eyes and whimsical droop of the
mouth which looked as II it might in
simultaneously. turn either to sadness or to
laughter Hasson gazed at her with look
of alteration. The older woman and the
count stepped aside for a moment Inn
medately the young man grasped the girl
by the hand.
'Elsie!" he exclaimed, with significant
squeeze.
Her white face crimsoned; the dropping
mouth suggested joy.
please don't, John; not here!" she cried.
Mrs. Harrington returned with the
count, Elsie ard J I'm dlscreotly gazed
into space. The count looked Hurried. He
wore the fashionaby trimmed cloak and
the high silk hat with fiat brm popularity
associated with Frenchmen of the higher
animated tones. In the meantime Barnes
had been attending to routine business
keeping the group in sight always. Pres
entity he summoned Con Clancy, his assist
ant. TO his side.
"Have the count and the ladies made out
their papers?'
Eyes"
did they declare any gems?"
mo"
'Make the investigation of their baggage
rigid. After that make a careful examina-
ton of the counts stateroom."
The buzz of expectation everywhere
The thought of home caused the travellers
10 bubble over with eager good humor.
The ships officers ran about hurriedly,
performing the last civilities to those who
had been their guests for more than six
days. The chief was standing on a little
platform directing the disposition OF the
luggage. when someone grasped the sleeve
OF his coat. He looked around. The count
was by his side. his small eyes exuding
indignation.
''You are the chief Inspector" he
queried in marveously good English.
II have that honor" was the bland
reply
''weIl." continued theother hurriedly,
''your men are fiinging the things out of
our trunks"
mot finging EN- out"
''Well, emptying 'em out"
That's why they're here" was the good
natured rejoinder.
But" protestingly, this sort OF exam
ination Is most unusual; the baggage is al
ways examined without taking it out of the
trunks"
mot always" corrected the chief. I'm
this instance we hope TO expedite your
landing by finishing the work in a sys-
tematic manner"
"Oh" said the count, disappointedy
''Then the men have been ordered to do
thisg'
res" said Barnes, with a queer look
Then very slowly, Count this isn't your
first voyage over"
How do you known angrily asked the
man. his face flushing.
Because" ironically, you're so well
posted on American customs business"
The count made no reply to this thrust
but irritaby stalked away.
The SyRania's dock was crowded with
friends and relatives OF the returning tour
ists Waving handkerchiefs frightened the
scene; shouts OF recognition hoated across
the roped on portion OF the pier.