The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-28
CHAPTER xxxvfII.. fm Asaareaa fin Fifth, AyRnue.

 never sent their linen to the, pubic laundry. and the domestic cataciysm attending the disaster was a secret confined to themselves and their household. The servants naturally knew all about the recent loss, but nothing was dtvulged to their French assocfates---the honor of their rEiaster's house was the bulwark of their own importance. s7
 Pedro, who adored his employer. was deeply concerned on his account; the once gay, Marquis looked care- worn and distrait--no wonder; he was the diplomatic agent between el Duque and la Duquesa, and much of his time was occupied in dispatching letters and teiegrams. or holding alternate interviews with his parents. As Pedro moved about his dulles. he muttered a proverb, in order to cheer his own gloomy mind he had a habit of talk ing to himself. As he lail out shirt he murmured: Tn hundred years we shall all be bald!" when he pnfolded a dinner-ceat, he repeated: Tn hun dred years we shall all be baldt" again as he poked up the logfire. he said aloud: This will pass--and in a hun. drei years we shall all be bald" ] ~After all, it is merely a question of IuOnGys c@lQ lHG nudEQdAS uG 2dl0@Ah to himself. as he entered the premfses of the well-known jewellers in the Gale AlcaIa; three, four. or even five thousand pounds-of course Carvalho must make his profit--and profit by his silence"
 Carlo Carvalho. a distinguished. looking old man. with fine manners and keen eye. received the Marquis de Sarazin in his private office with considerable ceremony. The visitor sat down. took off his hat, and. plac- ing 1t on the table before him, in- stantly opened the subject.
 T am sure you know what has brought me here, Senor." he said. "I come in quest of our heirloom, the ago. as understand, passed into your hands,.
 'That is true" assented carvalho. with a bow.
 'srhis loss was discovered but re- gently. My father the Duke has re- quested me to see you. and arrange to repurchase the jewel without a single days delay"
 A pause ensued: then CarvaIho, with a gesture of deprecation. replied
 Certainly. 1t Swould be so-lf the power lay with me: but, unfortunate ly the necklace is sold"
 ''sold!" exclaimed Paul. and he drew in his breath hard. But you can trace it, of course?"
 '1 fear 1t will be difficult. illustris- simo."
 .DIos de mi Almar' rising to his feet and surveying Carvalhe with a pair of naughty eyes; 'is the Sarazin heirloom 50 small a thing. that 1t is lost sight of like a boot-lace?'
 Your Excellency knows that we will io all that is possible, since you wish to recover it."s
 wish tol'' echoed Paul. "T tell you. Carvalho. we must recover itr'
 "Our house served your honor's noble family for nearly two hundred years; the de Sarazins have bought many jewels-aye-and I speak with all proper respeet-have sold them here"
 Sold jewels-you are mad!"
 La Duquesa. your gracious mother. has. like many noble ladies' parted with her pearls-aye. and her dia- rsonds. What the illustrissima now wears are" and he gave a little dry cough.
 Not paste?", with a motion of in- diRnant contempt.
 "Paste-yes. the best imitation" re- piled Carvaiho. with obvious reluc- tanRe. T myself arranged for the models, which are admirable. have done this on several occasions; but when la Duquesa brought me the great heirloom-ahi that was another affair and I. knowing the traditions of the family. held back for many days However. Senor Marques, ask you if 1t was for me to withstand la Duquesa de San Telmo? No" with a shruE and 8 gesture with both hands, Tt was in- possiblel Of course there were condi- tions-to which I agreed: and I paid two thousand. eight hundred pounds for the necklace-much less than half its value;~ but money was scarce Nevertheless. I kept the jewel locked up for months. I waited for a word wrote to Her Excelleney-there was no answer. Then a collector of antiquities called here-an American. He saw the necklace. and raved over