The San Francisco call., 1910-09-25

I'm Being Followed, Tel You," he shouted.
~ HE was handsome middle aged woman of
evident taste and refinement and that decided
~ something Of air and which inevitably
indicates the wealthy American to the calcu-
latng eye of the European shop keeper. glimpse
of her as she moved slowly down the jewelry section
of the Rue de Ia Paix in company with her slender,
fresh faced daughter, enough to start futter
behind each glittering store front.
Suave, frock coated proprietors, smiling, buxom
propretresses along that famous beyond Cooks
watched her eagerly, sometimes even going so far as
to murrnur respectful invitation from the doorway
as she paused moment before wondrous dis
play. To them she the legitimate summer prey
one OF the annual fight of the gold laden from the
golden republic across the seas For such they
accustomed TO spread their nets and prepare their
lures.
''Will madame be pleased to enter? Madame is
not obliged to purchase"
But madame gave no answer, intent singly upon
the windows and pursuing her way like who
knows her mind until she stopped before GER
tain shop near the end Of the row.
This is the place." she announced.
"Yes" nodded her er'daughter 'We saw it here and
you remember he asked hundred francs less than
the woman in the Plaza Spagna, in Rome, wanted for
hers which 10 stones shorter and awfully skinny
On, mother, do hope he hasn't sold itF
They entered, to the despair of neighboring rival
dealers and the delight Of the question brought
relief for ct" had not been sod and the proprietor
shrewd, named the former price to centime
sYeB-
lace of pearls and diamonds, and the two women
presently embarked upon the operation dear to the
feminine soul, of allowing clever salesman to sell
them something they already had decided to buy
While they engaged In examining the gor-
geous rope of jewels comparing 1t with other inferior
pieces laid for background. listening to the sooh
ing patter of the proprietor and proongng the nego
tiaton in divers pleasant ways, man sauntered in
from the street
He was dressed in respectable but unobtrusye
style A casual observer would have set him down
Unfortunately as a German, Hungarian or a con-
tinental travelled Englishman of moderate meansand
would have forgotten him the next moment The one
definite note in his appearance was the absence of
any. He eminently ordinary, retired and color
less-exoept as to his eyes. close observer might
have dwelt upon those eyes, which were habitually
lowered. They were small, clear and sharp as flashes
from polished steel The face in repose was common
place behind its trim Van Dyke With the eyes open
and work it was wonderfully alert, nervous and
ferretlike
MAKING THE BARGAIN
The assistant in the shop left the fascinating game
in progress with sigh OF regret and came forward
TO attend the new customer 1t appeared that he de-
sired watch charm, something novel and not too
expensive The assistant produced tray of trinkets
and the stranger took the further end of the
counter where he began deliberate and silent selec-
ton. The assistant, scenting long sale and small
one gave him only perfunctory attention. absorbed
in the mastery tactics Of the proprietor
mo, madame, I could not make it less than 10000
francs. But remark. the saving. / give you bill
OF sale for half the which, 90 per cent will
mean a payment of only $4,000 in duty Thus the
necklace will cost you trife more than $4,000 and