Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-12

"scares you just about like It did meH
chaned Brookfeld. who had noticed his
start Of surprise.
WHO'S property is that?" demanded
Crowder
"whyg 30 YOU know anything about
IT," parred Rutherford
Where did YOU get IT, persisted the
officer.
~ don't know" replied Craig. But I
happen to have brought II off the Gothic
with me-rather by mistake"
Crowder reach for the necklace. but
Craig coolly placed his hand upon It. ns
though in defiance OF the officer
~ must seize those Jewels said the
officer with quiet authority
why asked Craig, i'm apparent in
noceuce. He was trying to draw the man
out
the diamonds have been smuggled Inland
happen to have been given this particu-
lar case this morning.
Then you know whore they came from
whose they are?" asked Rutherford
eagerly.
Tho officer glanced quickly at Brook
field, who half nodded
81 simply know that they were pur-
chased at Kirschwassers, i'm Berlin and
bought them"
How did you learn that" asked Craig,
unEuardedly.
How do you know it?" tho secret serv-
Ice man instantly retorted. fixing his
searching eyes upon Rutherford.
why cveryDody on the Gothic knew II.
There was a message sent to some secret
service men on board to watch for it,
Just say that again" Crowdcr OK
-. III .stt "a
pointing at some suddenly discovered
quarry.
Craig repeated his statement Crowder
turned to Brookhed with a look Of per-
pleXity.
mir. RrookHed, you know this gentle
man personally?'
"'rhe friend Of a long and ill-spcnt life.
Crowder." replied Monty. with mock
grimace. as If he were making serious
confession.
His having this necklace is-strange;
and his knowing about the secret service
message is-stranger," Crowder observed,
half to himself and evidently divided be-
tween his natural caution and an inclina-
ton to take Rutherford for what Brook
field thought him, rather than what he
might easily he suspected Of being
81 have already heard his story replied
BrnoS'ield, "aud / sent for YOU because
think there is a big case behind IL. Mr..
Rutherford has been made the means OF
getting this necklace through the Gus
toms; that much is evident. Now, " YOU
can find the real culprit, | believe YOU
will unrarth a plot 80 big that the present
hit of clever work will pale into insigntt-
CanCc.'
Monty Brookfeld's opinions were enti-
tied to respect, aud the secret service man
was evidently following the same line Of
thought lie now turned to rutherford in
a manner almost friendly, as if inviting
further condolences.
"That report circulating on the Gothic
must have been pure imagination on
somebody's part"
"Not bit of it, IT was too circum-
stantinl to he a product of the magina-
ton" protested rutherford. why !
heard the message myself
"You? can YOU read wircless?' asked
Crowder quickly.
NC. out ! happened to he in the wire
less ru,... when it came in, The operator
told rie nothing but the man who was
with me read it-and the next day it was
all over the ship"
"Wno was the man with your the Of
hccr fairly snapped.
"uelderman, OF Wall street"
Crowdar's lips shut light but he made
no observation.
'.'rhcre were two secret service men on
buarl-at least thought they were"
continued Craig; "and they made life
miserable for all the rest of the pas
seugcrs by overhauling things"
"Mr rutherford. the whole thing is
absurd. There were no secret-service men
on board that shp-and f there had been,
those are not their methods No mes
sage such as you describe was ever re-
ceived on board the Gothic | know, be-
cause the very first Intelligence Of It came
direct to headquarters only last night"
Rutherford whistled.
"Are-you-sure? he asked slowly. as
the amazing situation began to dawn
upon him.