The Washington herald., 1914-01-11

with q newer note that made me look
up sharply.
As did so I was conscious of the fg-
ure 30 close behind me. so near my chair
that even while l had already felt his
presence there. / had for the moment
taken him for my scrupulously attentive
waiter. But as i turned about and
locked up at this figure 1 saw that / was
mistaken. My glance fell on a wide
shouldered and rather portly man with
quiet and very deep-set gray eyes. Wha:
disturbed me even more than his pres
ence there at my shoulder was the sense
% power, Of unparaded superiority. on
that impassive yet undeniably intelligent
face.
Il want to see you he said. with an
Unconditional matter-of-factness that in
another would have verged on insolence.
about what?' 1 demanded, trying to
match his impassivity with my own.
He nodded toward the necklace in my
hand.
About that" he replied.
What about that?" 1 languidly in.
ouired.
The portly man at my shoulder did not
answer me. Instead, he turned and nod
ded toward a second man, a man stand
ing half a dozen PAGES behind him, in =
damp overcoat and sadly, crumpled
shirt front.
felt my heart beat faster, of a sud-
den. for ii took no second glance to tell
me that this second figure was the Jewel
thief whom had trailed and cornered in
the musty-smelling cab.
1 felt the larger mans sudden grip
on my shoulder-and his hand seemed
to have the strength of a vise-as the
smaller man, still pale and disheveled.
stepped up to the table. His face was
not a pleasant. one.
Benny Churchill. whose solicitous eyes
bent for a moment on his sisters star
tied face, suddenly rose to his feet.
sit downi" / told him. For heavens
sake sit down, all OF you, There's moth
ing to be gained by heroics. And IL
we've anything to say, We may as well
say II decently!"
The two men exchanged glances as
ordered the two chairs for them.
BE so good" continued, motionins
them toward these chairs. And since
We have a problem to discuss. there's no
reason We can't discuss II in semi
civilized manner"
Its not a problem" said the man at
my shoulder, with something disagree
ably like a sneer.
The man, behind me was the first to
drop into the empty seat on my left. The
other man crossed to the farther side OF
the table. still watching me closely. Then
ne lett IoT tne CndiT SlONly sdHh
into it; but not once did he take his eyes
from my face.
THAT mans armed. remember" the
jewel thief suddenly cried to the stranger
on my left. He spoke both warningly
and Indignantly. His flash o. anger. in
fact, seemed an uncomfortable one.
where's your sun?" said the quiet
eyed man at my side. His own hano
was in his pocket 1 noticed, and there
was a certain malignant line Of purpose
about his mouth which 1 did not at all
like.
Yet / was able to laugh a little as
I put the magazine revolver down on the
table; it had memories which were
amusing.
"where'd you get that gum" he in
auired
I nodded my head toward the white
faced man opposite me.
.T took II away from your friend
there" was my answer.
.'And what else did you take?"
There was something impressive about
the mans sheer impersonality.
This pearl necklace with the ruby
clasp" / answered.
"why?' demanded my interlocutor.
Because he stole IT. was my prompt
retort
who from
From the lady you have the honor Of
facing" ANSWERED.
Where" was his next question
i told him where. He was again silent
for a second or two.