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

WHY didn't you tell me this at the time?"
Because very naturally wasn't at all
you wanted to be told"
"If you'll please explain"
"Quoin means, Peter interrupted, 3youve been
such consistent performer he hestated to do anything
calculated to cramp your style, this thing what
it looked like,-a frame-up between you and Tad to
beat the customs"
@But what right had you to jump at any such
clusion?" Betty insisted.
Because l knew you knew real gems from false
and the necklace you had shown that very morning
counterfeit"
at isn't possible!" Betty protested holly. Il it
myself
$50 did L; and was interested enough-wel, you'll
recall l asked to them in strong light? You were
satisfied you looked twice But | was positive
then that they false, and positive later
when saw the real collar in the puzzle box
"Would l be likely to risk detection by exhibiting
the false?7
"How was to tell what was going on behind your
eyes?7 Quon laughed
@Sti don't understand"
IF you remember, Craven took his time about fetch
ing that box from the purser. 1t good ten min
before he got back He had time and to spare
open your despatch box and substitute the counter
felt for the genuine key you knew nothing
about, of course"
Look here Peter began excitedly, then checked
and turned sullen.
aWell?" Mrs. Beggarstaf demanded, while Betty
and Quoin obliged the young by looking their
curiosity.
"Oh don't like to say it," he muttered unwillngly
you've made out too strong against him it is
and I've always had sneaking fondness for old Tad"
@Peter is hedging about referring to the fact that
Craven put very prompt protest when you told me
to take the necklace into the sunlight and satisfy my
self"
eyes," Peter admitted gloomily.
as the evidence complete enough9' Mrs. Beggarstaff
questioned gently 1--WE didn't want to tell you this
Betty For my part, I'd rather you had conspired
with Tad to snugge-"
3Dont!' pleaded the unhappy woman Bending for
ward elbows knees, she stared sombery at the
pet. 4But how, she asked after moment "do you
account for that perfect counterfeit
Simply" Quoin replied @after that affair of Thurs
day night, my responsibility | sent wireless to
Paris, to Cottiers in Betty's The came
through Friday night, saying that the original owner
had sold paste duplicate dealer articles de Paris
which he in had sold to chance customer-dente
description unavailable-the day that the real
necklace taken from Cottiers by your agent
at seems incredible Of all men-Tad Craven!"
@You forget how little know of him, the Dowager
Dragon put in.
@Know of him?" Betty protested looking up. @Why,
everybody knows Tad Craven! Go out among our
friends and try to find one who believes he would do
anything dishonest
ND still, insist, you forget how little we know of
him. Hank back into your memory, my dear.
How long have known him? Twelve or fifteen years
at most. How did he come to know us! Through IN
Productions to few clubs, ndorsed by Lord Evesden-
who later drummed out of town for card cheating,
and never came back But Tad Craven stuck. He
didn't cheat, and he amusing, and long he
personabe, agreeable, and seemed to have money no.
body bothered about his pedigree
ave been looking Craven up" Quoin supplemented.
"Listen!' He began to read from tiny memorandum
book 4Came to New York in 93 with British musical
comedy company His wife, Lefty Craven, fell i'll dG.-
ing the of the piece and died in public hospital of
quick consumption After that Craven got job with
show which nerished ON the road When turned