The Detroit times., 1908-05-21
CHAPTER .xiV.-continued.

l
lV tainly shall be there: but
W. suppose you have seen the
papers and heard all about the
rumpus? | suppose you know all
about Lady Stapletons jewels being
dug up in the King Of Balkania's-
that is to say, Mr.. Jones's-place at
Cookham? And l suppose you have
heard" the detective continued. low
ering his voice to confidential whis-
per, about the corpse-a foreigner
! by all accounts mean the dead
man."
Strong looked at O'Gorman almost
reproachfully.
Really" he said. you are almost
tiresome. Why. don't you know, that
my bungalow Is right opposite Mr..
Joness place at Cookham. and that
got the news first hand? The next
thing you will be saying Is that ]
stole the Jewels"
"Oh. come now" said Mr.. O'Gorman.
We'll, | did not" said Strong, lying
calmly and with a frank eye. but I
have got a theory about them, and II
you could only look after me at the
King OF Bahamas tonight, l might
mind you, | only said l might-be
able to assist you toward making a
coup which would simply leave you
rolling in gold before the weeks out"
Yes, but what do you want me- TO
do?"
We'll. all I want you to do Is just
this-pass me In. Let me be your as
sistant Meet me at the front door at.
say, 1890, shake me by the hand. and
II any or wants to know who l am
simply explain that l am Mr.. Smith.
who is with you at Park House on
duty"
Mr.. O'Gorman whistled. But that
Is a risk" he said.
MY dear fellow" said Strong.
there's not the faintest risk In the
world. / don't ask you TO leave my
side for moment. In fact. Id much
rather you did not. because IL his
Majesty should happen TO stumble up
against me. am afraid, to put the
matter frankly, should be put out
side"
Mr.. O'Gorman leaned his massive
back against the mantel-piece, pulled
out his chest, and looked important.
I'D like to know what you are up
to. I'll wager that you have been
playing the private detective down at
Cookham and got yourself into a
fix"
mo, have not" said Strong.
laughing. 1T is much more serious
than that"
rs it?" said Mr.. O'Gorman. pursuing
up his mouth.
Eyes. Look here. have you ever
teen in love"
Mr.. O'Gorman smiled a wide smile
beneath his bristled mustache. He
had visited as many ports as most
sailors do, and being possessed OF an
amorous disposition was commonly re-
puted to have found q sweetheart la
every port.
"Ah," he said. and smoothed his
mustache.
We'll, then, IL you have" said
Strong, you will understand. ! have
committed a hideous indfscretion-
fallen in love with the lady knew as
Miss Jones. only to find she is Prin-
cess. There you have the whole thing
In a nutshell.
Mr.. O'Gorman whistled. 80 you
are going accounting" he said. I'm
spite OF stern papa"
THAT is IT," said Strong. provided
can get your help"
well, / Will pass you In" Mr.. o.
German answered. Il will certainly
do that. seeing how the land lies.
Only" he went on. gazing narrowly
at Strong's clean-shaven mouth. you
will have TO alter yourself just little
bit. will make you up for the part.
No silly nonsense, mind you. no false
boards, nor anything amateurtsh like
that. That gives the thing away at
once. Just a neat little military mus
tache. What do you say 10 II"
Sounds attractive" said Strong.
laughing. s"but where do | get it?"
Mr.. O'Gorman walked over to side
table and opened a cigar box. within
which was jumbled number Of hir-
suite articles. He stirred them around
and fshed out something from the bot
tom OF the cedarwood receptacle.