The Raymer enterprise., 1912-03-28
The Diamond Tiara

derstood, and he found the role OF tilt-
ed suitor to be both unsatisfactory and
incongruous. His father had received
the news with considerable disgust
and urged him In frequent communi.
cations to 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 SUN.
cient for his requirements.
Talbot" he said. ~ am going to de-
vote myself henceforward to the pur-
suit Of adventure. ! am convinced
that New York city affords opportu-
mites such as are uncommon In our
staider London"
which you're right. SIR" answered
Talbot. why, sir, the women here
has what I'd call a go about 'em
that"
Il was not referring to the female
element Of the population. Talbot" re.
piled Lord Jocelyn severely.
Yet 1t Is undeniable that the pre-
mature termination Of his engagement
to 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 were real sables, too, and
Jocelyn was connoisseur OF furs.
Nothing, he was wont to say, adds that
finishing touch to girl that hand.
some furs will. But In this case there
was the element OF curiosity that
came to complete the spell. For why
had this richcly clad girl entered a
pawn shop at the lower end Of Sixth
avenue at six o'clock In the evening
and come out again without the sa-
bles? Was 1t sudden need for
money to pay her dressmaker?
Keeping discreet distance, so that
he might not be under suspicion of an
ungentlemanly pursuit. he followed
along the north side OF Washington
square. She paused at the entrance
to a large, oldiashioned apartment
house. one OF those that had been
constructed before the days OF eleva-
tors. and opening the door. dlsap.
peared within. As she passed out OF
sight Jocelyn heard something chink
upon the sidewalk. He hurried for
ward. STOPPED, and picked up a mag.
nificent diamond tiara.
His first impulse was to hasten Into
the building and inform the girl of her
loss. His second was to remain out
side until she missed the ornament
and came out In search OF It. But. see.
Ing several men upon the opposite cor.
ner OF the square. looking. to his
mind. susplciously like detectives in
plain clothes. pointing in his direction
and evidently observing him, he de-
cided to yield to the first Impulse, and
entered. He hurried through n dark
hall and up n number OF flights.
reaching the top story In time to hear
door close softly. Which door had
she entered? He was sure II was the
door upon the left He looked and saw
that II had not closed: the lock pro.
truded against the framework. He
knocked and. receiving no answer, en-.
tered.
Lord Jocelyn found himself In
large. sparsely furnished room. evl.
IDENTIFY both bedroom and sitting room,
although the exceedingly dirty condl.
ton OF the windows, which were half
covered with n tat.ered shade, appar.
entity indicated a condition OF poverty
wholly at variance with the attire
which the unknown had worn. From
this room a door led apparently into
the second OF the suite, but II was
locked Jocelyn retreated to the door
by which he had entered. with the OBJ.
Iect Of making further search for the
owner OF the tiara. But this was
locked, too. In some way It had
automatically fastened ITSELF he was
prisoner
The position In which he now found
himself was certainly an awkward
one. Standing irresolutely In the cen.
ter OF the floor. holding the tiara. he
felt the guilty consciousness OF
burglary imbue itself into his brain.
II the girl entered and found him
there-what would she do. what should
he say?
As he revolyed his predicament In
his mind he heard the lock click. and
a man came softly In. He was OF
about Jocelyn's age. though certain
lines OF dissipation that had stamped
themselves upon his face, as well Us
furtiveness In his eyes, revealed the
fact that his life had not been wholly
open to the inspection Of his fellow
men. Seeing Jocelyn there, he stood
stock still. as though stunned by sur.
prise. then suddenly whipped reyol.
yer out OF his inner breast pocket and
leveled II at him.
you'll break that mirror behind
me II you Hrc." said Jocelyn. observing
that the weapon tremblea In his Wis.
ltor's fingers. mot that It's my mir.
:ror; I'm only advising you"
The man lowered tho revolver and
turned an intensely penetrating look