Evening star., 1913-06-22


stateroom door closed
NO he's carrying anything, Mr. Strong, he said.
"Very well, Jim. Now, Mr.. Marino, will you help
find those pates9 Strong seated himself the leather
covered and waited In fact he waited so long
that he had to encourage Narino with suggestion, and
at that the foreigner with effort drew OFT his coat
and waistcoat Both of these carefully examined
by Strong and the inspector, even to the ripping OF
lining seam which, to Narino, must have appeared odd
in search for steel plate, he smiled and shrugged
again. These American officials certainly strange
lott They such extremists!
AS NIarino drew off garment after garment Strong
noted that he studousy avoided turning his back SO
last the Treasury agent with apparent a1mlesS
ness and passed behind him. Strongs eyes cleaned as,
between Marno's shoulder blades and stuck tight to
him, he saw the porous plaster
"Oh lame back, Mr.. Narino?" Strong asked. "Too
bad, too bad!"
Instantly the foreigner wheeled about ayes, quite
lame" he replied with the merest indication of hes
fancy II have suffered many days The plaster was
suggested to by American gentleman in Paris.
1t has he ped me very much.
Strong offered comment Marino continued,
now with slightly different tone
II feel quite sure have demonstrated to you that
have no steel plates anything else hidden about me-,
he smiled down at himself $50 should like to be per-
mitted to dress myself and leave"
Mr.. MARINO" Strong tone had changed too, "be
A'A fore you go let me say that did not bring you
here to search for counterfetng plates My purpose
to examine that plaster your back. think you
understand now, don't yOu!
Marino's eyes and lips narrowed. "What is this folly,
Sir?" he demanded. Are you making sport OF me!
What does all this mean?"
AS Marno faced Strong his back toward the in
spector Strong nodded the foreigners shoulder,
and with one forward step the inspector had caught
Marnos wrists, drawn his behind him, and locked
them with painful upthrust. Struggling was out OF
the question. Strong placed his hand upon the plaster
and encountered there number OF Slight elevations
upon it's surface. There ten of them, such eleva
tons would be made by small beans peas stuck to
the adhesive side of the plaster before its application to
the body.
tho, Mari tho cai6 We yyere
tipped off about you It's scheme, and not bad
that it has failed I'm sorry for your lame
back Marno, but intend stripping that plaster OFT you
l want to know what's under it. Now hold him tight,
Jim"
The futility of protest was evidently clear to Marno.
He uttered word did he give any token of the
discomfort he must have experienced when Strong with
slow and careful pull drew the plaster from his back
Then the inspector released Marnos arm, and all
three turned to regard what was lying in Strongs
hand the foreigners only comment
81 you have found the-Steel plates, Mr.. Strong.
There really very little necessity for comment of
any kind. The plaster spoke eoquently for itself. Ad-
herring to its sticky side fifteen brilliantly cut dia
monds not of them less than carat and half and
several weighing at least two and half. They gttered
wonderfully in the overhead lights. Strong scrutnzed
them intently for moment counted them again, and
as he folded the plaster and its and placed
in his pocketbook he said Marno, "You and have
never before; but shall know you next time and
the foreigner inclined his head without word.
TT with keen and not undue satisfaction that
Strong reported his capture, because Richards COM
munications from Paris had not failed give Marno
credit as being of the most astute workers in
more less crowded field. The department we'll
satisfied too, and word sent to Richards prasing
him for his share in the affair. Marino the only
one who did appear in the least eated He seemed
to himself with stroking the end of his thin
mustache.
In due season Marino taken before the United
States Commissioner. There surrounded by newspaper
men, with the staff photographers and their flashlights
awaiting him in the corridor, he was held in five thousand
dollars bail. In reply to the inquiry of the United