Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-03-13

of light and gave them back In a
golden shower.
Roger confessed his adventure Of the
afternoon, and the two marveled at
the peculiar circumstances Of the case
the odd behavior of the dealer in
antiques and the surprising value of
the trinket as appraised by the jewelry
salesman.
Dorothy was dressed for the theater,
and presently the two set forth. quite
unconscious that they were followed
from the house to the theater.
As they were leaving the playhouse
a man touched Roger on the arm.
"Come with me, sir" he said in a
low tone. 81 will explain what l wish
with you in a very few Words,
But" objected Roger. cant you
wait? l have a lady with me-
ut is necessary that the lady should
be present Also said the other In a
tone of authority.
"Do you mind. dear?" asked Roger
of his iancee.
Certainly not, Roger. Let us go
with him by all means and see what
he wants." said Dorothy in her quick
decisive manner.
The man led the way to a nearby
drug store and placed a chair for Dor
othy and another for her companion.
"You are Mr.. Roger Holden y asked
the man quietly.
Eyes"
"You bought a topaz from Moses. the
antique dealer. this afternoon"
Roger was surprised. but he nodded
AN affirmative.
"In connection with this topaz / am
about to ask you If you will not call
at u certain address this evening-with
the lady, who | see wears the jewel on
her chain"
"Why all this concern e a paltry
topaz cat?" demanded Roger impa-
tiently.
at is of immense Importance to my
client returned the stranger.
''And the name of your client ISL"
The man leaned forward and whis-
pered a name that was so well known
throughout the world that Roger and
his sweetheart stared incredulously.
"But," he added, my client prefers to
be known as MIR. Brathwait.' Now,
Mr.. Holden, will you go and do a great
service to a grief stricken old man?'
eff your credentials are satisfactory"
was Rogers cautious reply.
Mr.. Brathwait's private secretary,
for such he proved to be, produced
documents that satisfactorily estab-
lished his identity. and without further
demur Roger and Dorothy entered a
taxicab with Mr.. Linn and were driven
to a certain address on Fifth avenue.
Although it was on the stroke of
midnight when they entered the great
mansion. the windows were brilliantly
lighted. and they were evidently ex-
pected, for the mar servant who ad
mitted them conducted them at once
to a handsome library on the second
floor.
'If you will sit down ! will summon
Mr.. Brathwait," said Linn pleasantly
as he left the room.
The two young people so unexnect-
eddy occupying comfortable chairs in
the library of the great magnate looked
at each other with rueful smiles.
81 am afraid that you are about to
lose YOU topaz cat" remarked Roger.
"Who knows!" nodded Dorothy wise
~. perhaps the topaz cat has brought
us good luck, Roger!
Before Roger could make answer the
door slowly opened and there entered
a tall. dignified old man whose lean
form was clad in a faded silk dressing
gown.
"You will pardon my appearance
he said in a deep voice, 'but / am re
covering from a serious illness, and this
is my first venture out of my W room
for several weeks"
Roger placed a chair for Mr.. Brath-
wait, who sat down rather heavily. He
possessed a gentle, refined face. clean
ly shaven. but emaciated from long Ill
ness. His snowy hair hung over the
collar of his dressing gown.
ST am greatly indebted to you for
coming to me at this late hour" began
Mr.. Brathwait In a very tired voice,
'sbut | learned today that the topaz
cat had come into your possession, and
l knew that l must get it again at once
before it was lost from sight.
az suppose you are wondering, Mr..
Holden, how l knew that you had
bought the topaz cat. Well, my jewel
ers knew that / was searching for 1t.
and as soon as you showed 1t to n
Of their statesmen he placed a detec-
tive on your track, and your move
ments this afternoon were easily learn
ed. He followed you to the theater
and pointed you out to my private
secretary, who met you and brought
you here"
as it stolen property?" asked Roger,
with an unpleasant Tightening of the
heart.
"In a way-yes." A panied smile
curved the old mans lips. 1T was