Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-15
The Diamond Tiara

Since the miscarriage Of his matri-
monial plans Lord Jocelyn had rather
lost touch with his former associates.
Self-abnegation is frequently misun-
derstood and he found the role OF jilt-
ed sutton to be both unsatisfactory and
homogeneous His father had received
the news with considerable disgust
and urged him in frequent communi-
cations 10 look around for wealthy
bride. But Jocelyn withdrew from so
cial life and spent the best part Of
his leisure at home in his apartment
on Madison avenue, where he found
; the company of his valet Talbot sufn-
cient for his requirements.
Talbot" he said, Il am going TO de-
vote myself henceforward to the pur-
suit Of adventure. I am convinced
that New York city affords opportu-
mites such as are uncommon in our
staider London"
b which you're right. sir" answered
Talbot. why. sir, the women here
has what I'd call a go about 'em
b that"
! element Of the population. Talbot" re-
piled Lord Jocelyn severely.
T Yet il is undeniable that the pre-
mature termination of his engagement
Ito Miss Squires had not rendered him
permanently immune against feminine
ATTRACTIONS. Otherwise, why should
! he have fingered in the vicinity Of the
girl in sables?
They we're real sables, too, and
Jocelyn was a connoisseur of furs.
. Nothing. he was wont to say, adds that
finishing touch TO a girl that hand
some furs will. But in this case there
was the element OF curiosity that
came 70 complete the spell. For why
had this richcly clad girl entered a
pawn shop at the lower end OF Sixth
avenue az six O'Clock in the evening
.and come out again without the sa-
bles7 Was II a sudden need for
.money 70 pay her dressnaker?
Keeping q discreet distance. so that
he might not be under suspicion of an
;uugcntlemanly pursuit. he followed
ialOng the north side OF Washington
!square. She paused at the entrance
Ito a large, old-fashioned apartment
ihouse. one OF those that had been
constructed before The days Of eleva-
tors, and opening the door. disap-
poarcd within. As she passed out Of
sight Jocelyn heard something chink
upon the sidewalk He hurried for
ward. stopped. and picked up a mag
nincent diamond tiara
His first impulse was to hasten into
the building and inform the girl of her
loss His second was 10 remain out
sside until she missed the ornament
:and came out in search OF it, But, see
Sing several men upon the opposite cor
:ner Of the square, looking TO his
mind. suspiciously like detectives in
plain clothes. pointing in his direction
and evidently observing him, he de-
cided to yield 70 the first impulse, and
entered. He hurried through dark
hall and up a number of flights
reaching the top story I'm time to hear
q door close softly. Which door had
she entered? He was sure It was the
door upon the left He looked and saw
that It had not closed; the lock pro
truded against the framework. He
Knocked and, receiving no answer, en-
tered.
Lord Jocelyn found himself IN 6
large. sparsely furnished room, evi
IDENTIFY both bedroom and sitting room
although the exceedingly dirty condi
ton Of the windows. which were hall
covered with q tattered shade. appar
emily indicated n condition OF poverty
wholly at variance with the attir,
which the unknown had worn. From
this room a door led apparently int
the second OF the suite, but IL wal
locked Jocelyn retreated TO the doc,
by which he had entered, with the oh
ject OF making further search for the
owner OF the tiara But this wa
locked. too. In some way It haC
automatically fastened Itself; he wa
prisoner.
The position in which he now fount
himself was certainly an awkward
one Standing irresolutely in the cen
ter Of the floor. holding the tiara, h,
felt the guilty consciousness o
burglary Undue itself into HIS brain
II the girl entered and found hin
there-what would she do, what shoul,
he say?
AS he revolved his predicament Il
his mind he heard the lock click, an,
q man came softly IN. He was o
about Jocelyn's age, though certain
lines OF dissipation that had stampe'
themselves upon his face, as well as
furtiveness IN his eyes, revealed tn
fact that his life had not been who'll.
open 10 the inspection Of his fellow
men. Seeing Jocelyn there. he stoot
stock still. as though stunned by SUI
prise, then suddenly whipped a reyol
yer out OF his inner breast pocket an
levelcd il at him.
You'll break that mirror behin'
me II you FIRE." said Jocelyn. observing
that the weapon trembled in his Wis
itor's fingers. Not that it's my mil
ror: I'm only advising you"
The man lowered the revolver an,
turned an intensely penetrating Loo
upon Lord Jocelyn.
What do you want? What are yor
doing hereG" he demanded.
IT is a curious story" began Joce
I'm easily. ITO begin with"
Whom do you want7" interrupte,
the man again, with almost a SHREK