Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-06

ever and then you blaze up simply because everybody
isn't inclined to take your protested reformation at face
valueand at that with everything going to prove the
said face value worth about three the doar
"Then you believe it too, eh?"
@Dont ask me: l might tell you
"And your Mrs. Merrlees demanded holly of the
Dowager Dragon.
a don't think you above anything I'd stoop to-if
you want the truth, my dear myself wasted several
hours today trying make the customs look foolish,
and-how shall 1 say it, Peter9'
@Didnt get away with it.
"Much as l disapprove of slang-thank you,
Peter"
$50 all three of YOU are against mel Mrs Merrilees
ounged more deeply in her chair swept their faces with
insolent eyes, and laughed unpeasantly. "Well, I've
been spelling for all day. and now I'm going to
have or know the reason why"
MAKE your mind easy about that" Peter advised
gravely. "As tidy young dsturber of the peace,
Betty you show class"
"Shut up, Peter!7 Again her glance challenged the
three. whats up?' she demanded in sudden
picion @You didn't call me here just to tell
you believed me capable of smuggling that collar
you know you didn't
mo, my DEAR" Mrs. Beggarstaff replied; @but
did want to talk with you about it,
"Welo"
IT'S this way, Mrs. Merrilees,' Quoin volunteered:
"Were all your friends and all my interest in this
matter is purely unprofessional far you per-
sonally involved"
Mrs. Merrilees nodded bruskly, but focused an in
terested regard the face of the detective Proceed
she said sweetly.
"Wed like to have your personal word of honor that
you didn't turn this trick
Betty laughed staccato. @But if say ddo'
Quoin shrugged. 3That would end my interest
"And if it turns out didn't-eh?'
"Then l may be able to tell you something to your
advantage"
Betty sat up sharply @You you know where
my necklace is?'
@Did you smuggle t?' Quoin counterquestioned.
A note of unimpeachable candor informed the wo-
mans voice. Il give you my word of honor did not.
I know nothing about it. Beyond the fact that my
self placed genuine necklace in that case, and
paste necklace come out of it
@There!' Mrs. Beggarstaff exclaimed with a look of
triumph at Trait.
The face of this last suddenly assumed a most unbe
coming briclred hue @Thats all very WE'LL he grt,
bled, 3and I'm not doubling Betty little Bit but"
he stammered and gulp21, 4but tell you now can't
believe it Of Tad, and Tor Lydia" He made
asperated gesture. 4Quoin's crazy-that's all!'
whats this?' Betty put in quickly. aTad and
Lydia2" She waited instant her color waning.
what have they to do with my necklace?"
"Ill tell you, said Quoin gently 3Craven gave his
daughter your necklace hidden in Chinese puzzle
box, to bring through the customs, counting her
emption as alien, from rigid inspection
Mrs. Merrlees rose from her chair, staring xedly at
Quoin @You know this to be fact?"
II it in Miss Cravens possession. The rest is in
ference from contrbutory circumstances"
The detective endured her stare without fnching;
though the color of his dark face deepened and his
breath trace quickly. Convinced at length
of his sincerity, she turned away moved to window,
and stood there with her back to the room, gazing
thoughtfuly into the misty charoscuro of the plaza
"That's why we wanted your word you were on the
level before told you," Peter explained.
Il see," said the woman in gentler voice. "You
didn't want to seem to imply that Tad"
Exactly" the Dowager Dragon affirmed
"Please tell me about it."
aVery we'll" Ouoin responded with the story from